Negotiating comp plans

[raeoflyte]

What's the highest you've ever countered on salary negotiations?

I just got insurance costs from the company who has offered me a.position, but health insurance alone is $6k more per year than I pay now. I was going to counter their offer pretty heavily anyway just to see, but now seeing that figure I almost want to just say thanks, but no thanks.

So I'm curious what others have done? Wondering too if there is a big difference between men and women's answers, and any other things you've negotiated for upfront like PTO.

[Deleted]

DH has countered with 5-10k more on salaries around the 70k mark. If they seem article on salary he's had good luck negotiating on benefits - $500 car allowance port month or extra week off vacation.

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[Deleted]

Ugh.

Not willing to negotiate on salary.

[Deleted]

all you can do is ask

if you earn 65k + 8k worth of benefits now, they wont expect you to move for less than that

but to answer your question....


i was offered a position from a headhunter group for 80k salary plus bonus (up to 15k)
i countered at 110k with the reason why i was worth it....with no bonus

i also got a car allowance, and a small expense allowance

as long as you can justify the amount, just ASK!

[bean29]

Is it a small group or a large group? I am beginning to think I could leave my small group employer for a large one and come out way ahead w/o even getting a pay increase.

If the plan is a high deductible plan and you don't currently have one don't forget to include HSA contributions to cover the deductible.

We also don't have Dental.

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[justme]

Still in my first job, but if I'm leaving of my own accord I'd take into account changes in benefits when I countered (medical, retirement, and PTO). I wouldn't want to make more in salary but have my total compensation go down.

My boss countered with a 12.5% raise over the posted salary based on my education/experience before I could say a word so I just smiled and took it. Given that, a 15% increase wouldn't seem outrageous. Beyond that I have no clue.

[hoops902]

::What's the highest you've ever countered on salary negotiations? ::

Double.  I didn't get it.

[Deleted]

DH has always gotten written offers. Before you sign the contract you send an email back with your country. Then it goes back and forth until someone says best and final. Get every detail in writing . Ask for the benefits package before you counter.

[raeoflyte]

May 16, 2013 16:30:46 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

How do these negotiating conversations play out? I don't have very much experience applying for jobs and when I accepted this position someone from HR called and said "we'd like to offer you the position at $ x/h, are you interested"? I just said "absolutely!". How do you dig deeper to find out what ALL the benefits are that are included in the job offer? Do you ask to see a detailed written offer so you can make your decision? What do you say to the person on the other end of the phone?

This is exactly what I have always done too. But since I have a good job right now I'm only going to leave if I'm getting ahead.

I figured this one was dead when she gave salary and bonus rate in the interview, but the recruiter is encouraging me to counter. I asked them for insurance info hoping that it would be cheaper than what I'm currently paying. Thank goodness I did considering how expensive it is...

Also their yearly max out of pocket for out of network is almost my annual salary.

Obviously we wouldn't plan on using out of network, but shit happens on vacations and what not. Honestly that's almost enough reason to scare me off.

[Regis]

May 16, 2013 16:30:46 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

How do these negotiating conversations play out? I don't have very much experience applying for jobs and when I accepted this position someone from HR called and said "we'd like to offer you the position at $ x/h, are you interested"? I just said "absolutely!". How do you dig deeper to find out what ALL the benefits are that are included in the job offer? Do you ask to see a detailed written offer so you can make your decision? What do you say to the person on the other end of the phone?

We have a sheet that we give to all people we interview with all benefits offered by the company.  And when we make an offer, it's always a written offer sent to them detailing what we will and what we will not be offering.

When I've interviewed for jobs, I've always asked about insurance, holidays, PTO, 401(k) matching, etc.  I've never had a company not give me the information.  I figure unless it's a tremendous opportunity, I'm only changing jobs if it's a financial upgrade for me.

[raeoflyte]

Thanks rukh- I needed that reminder this morning! I actually feel guilty for countering so much higher, but I am fighting that feeling.

I've put together my offer to them. Now just playing phone tag.

[raeoflyte]

I think I got it... Should have asked for more apparently.

[formerroomate99]

Also their yearly max out of pocket for out of network is almost my annual salary. <BR><BR>Obviously we wouldn't plan on using out of network, but shit happens on vacations and what not. Honestly that's almost enough reason to scare me off.

<BR><BR>This would scare the crap out of me, because even if you go to the hospital in town for some reason, the hospital can be in network, but the various specialists (doctors, radiology techs, physical therapists, labs) aren't necessairly in your network, and since you can't control which one you see, you're pretty much on the hook for it all.  When I went to the ER in my home town, in an 'in network' hosptial, I got hit with a bunch of 'out of network' charges. 

[econstudent]

May 17, 2013 16:26:14 GMT -5 formerroomate99 said:

Also their yearly max out of pocket for out of network is almost my annual salary.

Obviously we wouldn't plan on using out of network, but shit happens on vacations and what not. Honestly that's almost enough reason to scare me off.

This would scare the crap out of me, because even if you go to the hospital in town for some reason, the hospital can be in network, but the various specialists (doctors, radiology techs, physical therapists, labs) aren't necessairly in your network, and since you can't control which one you see, you're pretty much on the hook for it all.  When I went to the ER in my home town, in an 'in network' hosptial, I got hit with a bunch of 'out of network' charges. 

My insurance has an "invisible providers" clause or something like that. I think doctors still have to be in network, but radiologists, techs, and most of the people you don't get a choice about are covered as if they were in network when you are at the hospital. 

rae, I'm glad it sounds like the negotiation went well!

[formerroomate99]

My insurance has an "invisible providers" clause or something like that. I think doctors still have to be in network, but radiologists, techs, and most of the people you don't get a choice about are covered as if they were in network when you are at the hospital.

If you go to the ER, you don't exactly have the luxury of picking your doctors, though.  Even when you go to the hosptial for some planned treatment, you generally end up being seen by more than one doctor, and you often can't predict who they will be.  When I had a baby, my ob delivered the baby but another doctor -whichever anesthesiologist was on duty at the time -- gave me the epidural. 

[Deleted]

Good Luck.  I always quote desired $s versus current package, so they know I expect to be kept whole + get a bump.

Last job I negotiated for a % upon sale of the company rather than salary.  It worked significantly more than i expected.  If it is a small company & you like the track record, you may want to go for % of sale or options.  It does not cost them anything today, so usually can be rolled into your package without too much fuss.

[Queen of Interesting Nuts]

Dh heard before an interview "they" were looking at 100 to 110, he asked for 128 with a total comp of 140 and he got it

[Deleted]

Congratulations! These days it's important to ask about insurance because the differences can mean big dollars . Years ago I had a friend who negotiated hard for a $5k increase, then found out that was the increase in her insurance costs.

I'm an awful negotiator. This job change I was in a weak position; bored at current job, no good moves within company. I suspect I'd have been canned by now . New job: no relocation, not much more commute, great company, great people. interesting work. Budget was $45k under my current salary. They offered $20k under plus a $20k signing bonus. I did get 4 weeks of vacation instead of the 3 they'd first mentioned but overall, clearly, I lost ground. I believe thus could have fallen apart over money and didn't want that to happen.

I've got 5 years left before retirement, savings are in good shape, so it felt like a reasonable decision.