Interviewing and Negotiation

[tessabell8]

Currently I'm being extremely underpaid to the point of having to have a fulltime and a parttime job. I can't do freelance because I can barely keep myself afload with bills and rent and cannot afford the programs to do freelance.

I've been job hunting and I went on an interview this morning. Professionally speaking when changing jobs, what is the general increase in pay? My father is pushing me to ask for 20% increase and said that asking for that may be even pushing it. I don't want to ruin my chances with this new company but I'm trying to keep myself financially stable...
To make bills and rent (we're talking basics...I don't have tv) I'll need around a 40% increase... if that gives any of you an idea where I stand...

Any thoughts?

At the interview I was asked what I make now... I was hoping to avoid that...is there any way to redeem myself and ask for something that may make me more stable. I know most companies once they find out what you've been making, normally will realize they don't have to offer that much in order to get your attention.

I need help! Any responses are greatly appreciated...

[PrintDriver]

There is no set in stone increase in pay when changing jobs.
If you've already told them what you were making it's going to be tough to negotiate.

Wait and see what their offer is. If you have nothing to lose, make a counteroffer or find out what the benefits and review rate is. Weigh whether it is worth a lower increase now if the promise of advancement is there.

[Jackimalyn]

Good luck, but when changing jobs, usually you stand to take a pay cut. Did they ask you why you were thinking of leavign your current job? then you could be straight with them and say you cant eat!

Have you asked for a raise at your current job? that was one of the hardest things Ive had to do but my responsibilities increased significantly at my old job and I couldnt make rent or buy groceries so I asked for a $3/hr raise (yup!!... followed by a long, prepared speech why I deserve it) and I got 2.50. Suck it up!! stick up for yourself!! good luck....

[tessabell8]

As for asking for a raise... I've attempted at least 7 times to reschedule appointments with my boss to meet up with her and seriously, I think she knows what I'm up to and refuses to see me.

I don't want to barge into her office and ask for a raise and give a speech when she's in the middle of something. I think that's very disrespectful even though, she isn't treating me very well. I am considering the idea of writing her a proposal about giving me a raise..that's the only other professional strategy I could possibly think of.

I'm currently working a parttime job and maybe I'll just see if he can make an offer because he was talking about wanting to make me fulltime after a month of working parttime (which has passed). I called him today and he sort of freaked out because he asked if I've found someone and I told him I may have. Maybe he'll make an offer and the two of them could compete if they both make an offer?

One thing I have to keep reminding myself... No one is looking out for me except for myself...

Another question...
401K... I have one here... however the place that I interviewed w/ doesn't offer it. I believe they're growing and seem to be "working towards it". Why would a company not offer 401K, unless they couldn't afford it?

[SharkFinStudios]

tessabell8,

Sounds like you are on thr right track, but i have a few questions and suggestions. First off, where are you located? General vicinity. The reason i ask... I worked in Western NY for some time and know that asking for 40% might doom you.

When a prospective employer asks me how much I make I always add a few grand to it. That way you have some room to play with. Where you can get caught is when they ask you - "What are you looking for as far as compensation?" That can be tricky. I have done it both ways. One interviewer asked me how much I wanted and he laughed when I told him. He said, "Why should I pay you that much?" I looked him square in the eye and said, "I am worth it and you can't afford NOT to have me for that price." I was hired the next day. BUT, that can backfire, too. It all depends on the company and the interviewer. The other way to go is when they ask you what you are asking for is to say something like: I want to make more than my previous job, but I am flexible. If they counter with lower pay you can say you were looking for something higher than that as it wouldn't be worth it to leave a job that pays more. But you need to be happy, too.

I know what you mean about the employer not wanting to see you. I ended up going out and interviewing and finding another job when it happened to me. If you aren't happy, go look. Life is too short to waste time.

Another option is to have a temp agency or headhunter help you out. You'd be surprised at the leverage they have with major corporations.

Good luck!

[Exodus]

I don't know about all colleges but... The college I went to help their Alumni find employment. They kinda work like a head-hunter.

[tessabell8]

I honestly would love to stay in the area, but maybe it's the location... I don't know... I live close to Savannah, GA. I didn't go very far away after graduation.

[Exodus]

Did you go to SCAD?

[tessabell8]

Yes I did go and graduate from SCAD.

[Exodus]

Well, they have satellite schools. SCAD has a school in Atlanta. They have all kind of resources to search in the entire state of GA for you. I went to The Art Institue of Atlanta. It's sort of the same senario for them. Except that they have sister schools all over the country. You may want to call someone at SCAD and talk with them over your current situation. They should be able to help you a great deal. Good Luck!

[reuber1]

I don't know about all colleges but... The college I went to help their Alumni find employment. They kinda work like a head-hunter.HA HA HA HA HAHA!!! Career Services! WTF is that, roflmao! Boy, that's a quaint idea.

Sorry, bitterness interfering. Our college basically sent out mass e-mails to alumni and current students of jobs that were posted in the newspaper the previous day. Several months ago they just outright quit. They wanted us to graduate and that's it. Out of sight, out of mind.

[Logo-Mechanix]

I would never qit a job for a lower paying job except under the rarest of circumstances, you always want to better yourself when moving to another job. I once had a similar situation right out of school working prepress, I was promised a review after 6 months which never happened. The owner kept ducking me until eventually I just grabbed him in hallway and told I needed to see him now. I reminded him about my 6 month review (like the jerk didn't remember) and told him I wanted a raise. He offered me 10 cents more an hour, you heard me right 10 cents. I calmy thanked him and gave my 2 weeks notice, of course I was young and had no real responsibilities but things worked out for me in the long haul. 10 cents, you believe that?

[tessabell8]

It could be a possibility... the whole career services, but they do send out mass emails, so I will definitely check with them and see what they have to say.

I'm not planning on leaving this horrendous job for a lower paying job. I quite frankly can't afford that idea.

[reuber1]

I would never qit a job for a lower paying job except under the rarest of circumstances, you always want to better yourself when moving to another job. I once had a similar situation right out of school working prepress, I was promised a review after 6 months which never happened. The owner kept ducking me until eventually I just grabbed him in hallway and told I needed to see him now. I reminded him about my 6 month review (like the jerk didn't remember) and told him I wanted a raise. He offered me 10 cents more an hour, you heard me right 10 cents. I calmy thanked him and gave my 2 weeks notice, of course I was young and had no real responsibilities but things worked out for me in the long haul. 10 cents, you believe that?What a butthole.

[Drorain]

I'm going to face this next month too, my one year aniv. is oct 10th, and I talked to my boss about a review. No one gets reviews here really ever, but my boss is backing me up in this completely. I am to prepare a full proposal as well...I will be asking for about 20% more than I make now, to bring me to fair market levels...'competative wage'

Too long I have worked in underpaid positions and my bills mount, I am done with the struggle. I will submit a proposal, at the same time I'll be preparing my portfolio and a revamped resume. If they decline or delay the process longer than a month I will calmly bow out in one of their busiest seasons...and their hopes of me taking on my bosses job will be flushed down the drain. At two years experience my income potential is already far more than i make now, and I don't burn bridges so I'd also have an easy time going back to one of the previous employers

[tessabell8]

Yeah I'm not going to be rude about it, but it's like we keep making these "meeting" plans and it never happens because it depends on her schedule. She honestly probably hasn't even evaluated me yet... that's the frustrating part...

I commute 1 1/2 hours to this place... the least they could do is offer me a small raise as promised in the original job offer... They aren't the type of people I want to work for... for any long period of time. I've held onto it for a year and tried not to go crazy but now that my year has been up... I'm definitely scoping out the job market... which happens to be almost dead around here lol.

[Exodus]

I commute 1 1/2 hours to this place...

Ummm...yea. *F* that. If I wanted a 1.5 hour drive I would still live where I'm at and work in a northern suburb of ATL to make more money. However, the longest commute I think I would put up with is around 45 minutes. When I lived in ATL my commute sucked because of traffic. Now, I live in a smaller area and have gotten used to having a mere 15 min commute to and from work... unless I get stuck at a few red lights... then it's still only 20-30 min.

[tessabell8]

Keep in mind, I graduated college, my parents said if I don't find a job they're making me move home. An hour commute (originally) wasn't too shabby to be where I wanted to be and to not have to go back to MINNESOTA. lol...

Now that I've moved, and I'm a bit further away... yes... I don't plan to commute that distance ever again...it really wears and tears a person down. The two jobs that are interested in possibly hiring me are within 45 minutes...one is a 20 minute and the other is a 40 minute... the further one looks more promising though...

[Ahriman]

tessabell8,
One interviewer asked me how much I wanted and he laughed when I told him. He said, "Why should I pay you that much?" I looked him square in the eye and said, "I am worth it and you can't afford NOT to have me for that price." I was hired the next day.

What a cool strategy, I can see why is risky though.

I will be moving to San Diego this December, any idea where can I find out what is the "average salary" going on right now for experienced designers (11+ years)?

Thanks for any help!

[tessabell8]

salary.com?

[TheBluePanda]

When I jumped from my previous job to my current job, I asked for 100% more than I made at the old job, and got it. But they didnt know I was jumping up that high, because I told them I was making more than I really was. I was serverely underpaid at my old job, and didnt want this job taking advantage of it. My old employer was like family and backed up the number I gave my current employer.

[tessabell8]

i was told from a friend (who's older) that it's not really legal for them to ask how much you made at your previous employer...is there any truth to that?

yeah...i wanted to lie... i'm such an awful liar it's not even funny... i have quite the conscience even if i am getting screwed over...

[Loopy]

Yeah I'm not going to be rude about it, but it's like we keep making these "meeting" plans and it never happens because it depends on her schedule. She honestly probably hasn't even evaluated me yet... that's the frustrating part...

I know how that feels... sounds like my boss. I finally got my raise but they cut my hours. :rolleyes: Right now he has another proposal to talk to me about but our meetings never seem to happen.

http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/salarysurvey

Good Luck.

[BJMRGTIVR6]

well, they are only supposed to ask when you worked at a place and nothing more. however, if the other job goes on and on without being asked, it may slip out that you are making "x" amount. not sure how legal that is but from what i heard, it is just time worked.

[tessabell8]

Hopefully if this job I interviewed for is interested...I'll have my pt. job that is interested in me fulltime...and this new job competing to hire me fulltime... that could get me more $$...hopefully...

How many of you are a part of aiga? I was going to join, but then I didn't and now I don't have any money. lol...

[CamarotaDesign]

Tessa, How long have you worked at this place? And how much are you an asset to the company? It seems to me that you have to wait about 3 months for your first raise, thats a standard probationary period. If you are doing work that hasnt been turning heads and isnt helping the company reap high profits, its going to be harder to get a decent raise. If you are doing great work, making the company money, and their clients, then you definately have leverage to say "raise my pay, or find someone else" They'll bow down.

I've also noticed a lot of places want either salary history or salary requirements

[chris_bcn]

Most places ask for a salasry history I find.

I've just gone through the whole job interview process and they all wanted to know. My new job is a 40% increase plus stock options

[Ahriman]

salary.com?

Exactly what I needed.

Thank you!

:D