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Ask HN: How to Proceed Negotiation?

4 points by jshdhfhhc ↗ HN
I am currently being offered 65k TC for a mid sized VC funded company in Europe. I am already earning 74k at my current job and I was really expecting them to make me a higher offers because I told them upfront. I reminded them of my current salary and said, that I can't even consider taking their current offer. They went back to do internal discussion. I fear, that they will come up with a new offer matching my current TC. However I would only consider switching, when there is an actual premium in comparison to current TC (let's say 80k and I am in). Do you have tips how to react? For context: I am also in the interview process with two other companies, which seems to offer the salary I am aiming for. However I have not yet arrived at this stage.

8 comments

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m4l3x
You shouldn't have told them about your current salary, but about your expected salary to make the move.
jshdhfhhc
Thanks, I will follow your advice for the other interviews!
mytailorisrich
If you're making 74k now and told them that this was your absolute minimum and they came back with an offer at 65k then, assuming your expectation is reasonable for the job, either they have no money or they don't want to pay you more than they have offered.

Either way this is a red flag so I would politely thank them for the consideration and decline as the gap is just too big.

jshdhfhhc
Thanks for your opinion! Guess I am still thinking to somehow turning this around, but maybe I would be better of to concentrate onto the other two processes.
mytailorisrich
You always need to be willing and ready to walk away.

Best case they call you back with an increased offer.

jshdhfhhc
Initially I just thought to apply to see my market value, but since the process took so long, I got more invested... I think I will make Up my mind on an exact number they need to match and otherwise just politely declining their offer. Thanks!
hammock
In the future it would be good to know that your current TC is not relevant, what is is your number to move. You can give that to the company (or a bit above if you think they will come in below it)

If they come back with a match of your current, there is no harm in saying "What I meant was, I'm looking for x% above that." You need to be clear. Might be a blow to your ego, but ego needs to be left out of negotiations for your own sake.

jshdhfhhc
Thanks, this gives me a good explanation, just framing it as misunderstanding and that I thought my implications to get a premium on my current salary was clear to them. Like written above I will take a step back and make up my mind about a number, that makes me move. Thanks a lot!