Hi, folks!

Well, I've been waiting awhile and I have finally received an offer for what sounds like a good job.

I'd be working for a man I've worked with before and know that we'd work well together. I'd be doing some of the same work I do now, but getting into a company that needs to redesign its processes to be ready for growth. I'll have a pivotal role in that. Quite exciting!

I've had lunch with my previous co-worker many times over the last 6 months, and have met with his partner twice. They believe I can do the job, as do I. The title is only administrative assistant, so it doesn't sound as important as I think it will be to their growing company.

The company is smaller than where I work, and the benefit plan is paid for 50/50 by company and employees. I still need to find out how much employees pay in and what the plan covers.

I'm nearly certain there is no pension plan.

Currently I have a pretty good pension plan, a fully paid benefits plan that covers a lot and I use quite a bit of it, and 4 weeks of paid vacation.

Their base salary came in 20% below my base salary. They have a profit share which will be anywhere from $500 - $5000 per year, depending on, of course, the profits.

I answered their email with:
Thank you for this interesting offer. The position sounds exciting, and your company appears to be a dynamic and challenging place to work. I believe that I can contribute a lot to the team, and to positioning the systems and processes to be ready for your future growth.

The remuneration you've indicated, even in the most optimistic calculation, is significantly lower than I receive in my current position. This is before comparing the cost and coverage of the benefit plan, pension compensation and vacation structure. I don't imagine that you intend for me to take a step backwards in my career, so would like to know when we should enter into further discussions about the compensation package.

You know that the energy that I'll bring to your team will get the job done, and that we'll work very well together. I look forward to continuing this discussion soon.

This was addressed to my former co-worker, and cc'd to his business partner, since the original offer had been sent to me that way. This evening I have heard from the business partner, with this response:

Our intent is not to have you go backwards and we are sure you would be able to help us define ourselves and the industry we compete in.

We would like to discuss further, and forgive me for being blunt but how far apart are we or where do we need to be?

Clearly we have begun a wage negotiation, but I have never done this before!!

I know that I need to start high. I know that I need to factor in benefits, pension, vacation time, base salary. I think that number falls between x and y, although I'm not sure exactly where.

Would anyone care to help me figure out a) what I should say in my email response; and b) how much I should ask for? (it seems tacky for me to post actual amounts, but I could PM them if that seems like a good idea and you want to help)

The funniest part of this request is: of everyone I know locally, the person I would ask for this advice is the guy who has offered me the job! I think that's cool in its own way.

Thanks in advance!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~