Negotiating Salary...
 

So... As you might have read in the finance thread.. I'm possibly moving from NY to Texas for a New Career opportunity. I'm a 911 dispatcher, and have received an offer for an excellent opportunity. I have never had to negotiate salary before, and wanted some advice on properly, effectively and professionally negotiating.

This is what I have so far......

the first paragraph is good...

the second and third paragraph, I'm not sure what the word i'm looking for is... but you're being too... I can just imagine the conversation in person where you are scuffing the floor and not making eyecontact.. that you aren't really serious about asking for more money... if you were asking in person, you'd have to make eyecontact - -you need to do that with your words too.

You need to get some more information before you can ask for more money...

1. What will benefits cost you in texas? you are currently getting them at no charge (and is it just you or for your fiance as well) That will be a chunk of change.

2. Mention the cost of living calculator that you used... and i'd use the one that I found - it's giving pretty accurate results... you definiely want to be on the high end rather than low end of what you think you need.

You need to ask for what you want... otherwise you will be given the lease amount possible...

I don't think it is effective to negotiate for a higher rate of pay over email. In person is the best. Over the phone is good. Email makes it very easy to say no. It is a lot tougher to say no to someone who is looking at you in the eye and still very tough to say no to people over the phone.

Oh yeah - the person who is most willing to walk away from the negotiating table will ultimatly win. Keep that in mind.

Truer words were never spoken...

in my state prettymuch all dispatchers are either union or association based and locked into a step system with pay ranges -- theres not much flexibility there other than time in service to place you on the matrix....

that info should be public information (its a government budget), and probably obtainable off the web. I'd do a bit of research first and see if you're even going to be able to negotiate a better deal, or if it is set by negotiations and budget board, and if so what is the range for the step you'd be going in at and aim for the higher end of that range in your request and back it up by your training rather than basing your request off of what you are currently making now. it would be a more up front and logical arguement to present to your employer imo.

I'd add that it's not really advantageous to state what you previously made. There's no reason for you to mention it. Make them "wonder" how far away they are offering you over the amount they "think" you are making.

My parents are currently looking at moving to Houston, they have negotiated all the items, they were shocked to find out that property tax was very high, $3.60/$100. So if you had a $100,000 house $3,600 isn't so bad, when it gets to $400,000 it starts to get retarded.

This of course is explained as there is no state income tax.

"...So, far its..." -- That looks like it should be "So far, it's..." or maybe even leave out the comma.

I hate to nit pick, but perfect grammar and spelling are always very important to me when I look at written communications from others. I didn't notice any others but always double check.

well then wouldn't you correct:

to I thank Josh, and YOU for giving me that opportunity.

No comma necessary, either..

I'm not sure you can negotiate certain salries like a 911 dispatcher. It usually is what it is. Sales jobs or other management and professional jobs have more flexibility. I suspect they have a set salary pay/grade and pay scale. Just ask what that is, along with benefits. And I alsi agree with what someone else said regarding doing this in person vs. via e-mail. In prson is better!

And good luck with the job search/possible move.

Umm. Here's where I get stuck - and maybe you can help.

When the employer or agent asks "how much were you on at X", what do I say?

The only thing that I think I can add is this..

In my last attempt to negotiate (which went well), I was asked about my salary expectation. I replied that I had been looking around, and had come to the view that the rates being offered for "skill X" were between nnnnn and nnnnn.

I got no negative reaction, so then I proceeded to say that given this range and my experience/history, as well as my ability to deliver X and Y for clients - I would be looking to a salary of around Z.

I think the key thing that worked for me, was not making it personal - and simply stating the market facts as I understood them.

I should add that I am not normally much of a negotiator. I'm more of a techie..

Good strategy...it showed you did your home work and were aware of the prevailing salaries. You also demonstrated your experience in context of the salary range in that market.

When you are asked a question like that the potential employer is usually trying to determine if your expectations are realistic compared to the salary range they have to offer, which is usually based on prior budgeted amounts. If you are somewhat close but have exceptional skills or demonstrated experience, you could then get in on the high end or they might even look for a little more money elsewhere.