Friday, December 12, 2008

When to Accept Lower Pay

Dice writer Sonia Lelii filed this item.

It’s a trend to be aware of, especially if you’ve been laid off and are looking for a comparable job and salary: Companies are starting to drive down wages by lowering salaries for new hires. This means candidates will have to make a choice on whether to accept a an offer below where they’ve been in the past, or risk being unemployed for a while longer.

Those who accept lower pay have to find a way to do it without appearing desperate. And there are ways to negotiate tradeoffs that can help you save face. The Wall Street Journal offers some helpful advice:

"Excess eagerness to toil for fewer bucks sends the wrong signal. Such applicants often “are really desperate,” says Niki Leondakis, chief operating officer at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a boutique chain in San Francisco.

Rather than immediately reject or accept a lowball deal, you should mount a careful counterattack, experts recommend. You could improve your chances of winning a satisfactory compromise, with tradeoffs ranging from a faster pay review to extra perquisites.
If you decide to hold out for a better offer, it’s important to understand the longer you’re unemployed, the harder it will be to negotiate a higher salary. You have to assess the job market in your chosen profession and, perhaps, adjust your expectations. The recession is a reality that can't be ignored.

How to Handle the Job Offer You Can't Afford [WSJ]

No comments: