next »

[$ matters]

Hi everyone,

 I think I may be getting an offer soon and I was already told what the salaray range would be. My question is: how and when do I address this issue and what is the best way to negociate for the highest salary?

This is (somewhat) related to another thread that is going on now. A poster there suggests never settling for what they offer because this identifies you as a poor negociator.  Also, the concensus seems to be that schools always offer less than they can (or would be willing) to pay.

Don't have the offer yet but I'd like to be prepared if it comes through.

Thanks.

[Nardo]

After you get the offer.

Just kidding.

They'll make an offer, and give you time to respond.  when you have a deal worked out, they'll send a letter, and you get at least two weeks to accept or reject.

Be careful.  You may not have a lot of leverage, and at this late date they may just move on to the next guy on the list.  This could be especially the case if the department is indifferent, or if the vote was close to hire you.

we had this happen, had a guy who wanted to jack us around this winter.  When he said "I need more" we withdrew the offer and hired #2, who had been within one vote of being #1.

[anon2]

I'm not saying Nardo's actions aren't common, but they are against the policies of the AAUP.  Offers are not to be rescended due to requests for salary increase. (Obviously they can decline to increase the offer...)

[Search Committee Member]

After you have the offer and the time to respond (as Nardo says), talk to the department chair about what you want/need. The chair is, at this moment, your supporter -- certainly doesn't want to drag the process on any longer. The chair will let you know if there is any possibility (based on college policies, union contracts or the lack thereof, etc) of getting more money. If there isn't, you should also have a list of other things that would *help you do what they're hiring you to do* -- a laptop for your archival research? Guarantee of summer funding for research? Additional library databases or other kinds of teaching resources? Funding for xxx conference trips in the first year? There is often more leeway in other budgets such as research incentive funds or travel funds that may be in the hands of the chair or dean than there is in salary, which may be set by central administration. The chair should do your negotiating with the dean or provost or whoever, and SHOULD let you know honestly when s/he is so fed up the offer will be withdrawn in 24 hours.

[Nardo]

Clarification . . . we rejected the request for the salary increase because it would have created serious inversion. The candidate tried to pay chicken.  We moved on after his offer expired.

[Another Boring Anon]

Also find out if it is a union school with a strict contract. Ours is, and the offer is just the offer.  We can't negotiate it, or leverage it or change it.  Upside: humanities people get equal pay with the science and business folks, and the beginning package is quite generous by regional standards, but candidates are always trying to get more than what we put on the table and don't believe that it is non-negotiable.

We have had candidates play chicken with us and we've just said "take it or leave it."

Be sure you aren't trying to negotiate with a school that is in this situation.