Nurses & anyone - how to negotiate wage for new job

Hi!

A physician has been talking to me about coming to work for him. I have never negotiated a wage before. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Lynn

When negotiating I have them start off by asking what range of salary they were expecting to offer..from there I would either be happy with that or tell them what I expected and the reason why (ie, experience, good qualities about me) etc...most of the time I found that starting offers were pretty fair so either way in reality I would have been happy..

Hi Lynn,

The way I have learnt to negotiate my wage is when they first discuss money they often try to get you to state a figure first and I've always bounce the question back first.

Goes like this:

Employer:  So tell me what wage/salary are you looking for?

Me: Could you tell me the wage/salary range you have on offer?

Employer: What wage are you currently on?

Me: I'm paid most suitable to my qualifications and experience.  I have researched the range within this area of expertise and the going rate is between $x and $y (always range this in the $10k mark eg: $50k - 60k)

NEVER LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY ON.

You can only bounce this question twice and get them to commit to a range first.  It's a bit like playing cat & mouse game.

Most employers will offer usually around 10% less than they are prepared to pay hoping that we will be mugs and just accept what is on offer.  Aim high you can always negotiate lower.  If you must start at a lower rate make sure that you have a window for a wage review within the first 3 - 6 months.

I've done this a couple of times and I'm currently the highest paid contracts administrator within the company I work for.

Good luck

Thanks for the great advice! I will see how it goes, I have never had to negotiate before, so hopefully I will do well.

Good Luck Lynn!  I've never been any good with it at all!  I'd love to hear how it goes for you.

"Most employers will offer usually around 10% less than they are prepared to pay hoping that we will be mugs and just accept what is on offer.  Aim high you can always negotiate lower."

We don't do this.

I know it's not medical, but I work for a privately owned company (software house) and we generally pay more than anyone else in our area, but we also are very specific about who we hire. We will tell you at the interview what the pay is - and it's not negotiable.  We do a lower amount for the first 90 days, and then if you pass muster, you get about a 10% raise at that point. But that's all up front.

We've had people try to negotiate higher, and it's not necessarily seen as a negative thing, but it's also kind of laughed at (as in, we know what you're making now from salary studies and we are already offering more, so if you know somewhere you can get the amount you are asking for within a 150 mile radius of our office, go for it!).

However, if you are asked... some tips.

1. We can require that you prove to us your current salary. So if specifically asked on an application or in person, don't tell us you are making $60k if you're making $45k. Because once we check, if you've lied, the job offer is rescinded.

2. You can say, I am making in the range of ...$50k (if you make $40k or above, this is acceptable to bump up to the next $10k), and in order to move from my current position, I would, of course, prefer an increase.  You can even put that range on the application that asks for a specific amount if you wish.

3. We will be flexible about hte 90 day until 10% increase thing, and health benefits, and start those sooner if we really want you.

4. We will be flexible about vacation if you already have something scheduled. Just mention it at the time of job offer, before you start. Sometimes unpaid, but not impossible to take if that's an issue.

Hope that helps!

Thanks for the information. Jobs I have had in the past were always like, "you've been a nurse for x years, you will make so much an hour."

This they are asking me what I want, and when I figured my actual wage (including shift differentials, etc) it is about $3 more per hour than my base wage. I've had people tell me I should add $2-3 more above that. So, I am just not sure what to do. I don't want to take advantage of them as the doctor is creating a new position for me to learn while I finish graduate school (he wants me to be one of his NP's).

Thanks!

Lynn

Yes! Definitely ask for more than you are getting now - and it sounds like your actual wage (adding in your differentials) plus $2-3/hour is very realistic. Best of luck to you! Sounds like a wonderful opportunity with a doctor who valus you and wants to snatch you up before you graduate so no one else does!

So what do I actually say. I think they want my current wage. I'm so bad at this! Thx for your help!

You can say...

My current wage is $x/hour. However, I get $x more differential when I work evenings/weekends/nights. And last year, I received a bonus (or whatever else you need to add in) of $X.  Therefore, my average hourly rate is $X. 

You can then say... based on the job description and increased responsiblity, I would be looking in the range of $X per hour. 

You can look at the amount on your w2 and divide by 2080 to get your average per hour rate.

Good luck!  Remember, they expect you to sell yourself! And you definitely don't want o sell yourself short...