Advice please: wage negotiation

[Mr. Bloom]

I am not in a position to take a pay cut at all. DH did just 2 years ago and he's still at only about 70% of what he was making before; and it costs way more to live here - I think our housing costs have doubled.

If this is true...I wouldn't ponder the move unless you have some motivating factor (like running away from something bad, for instance).

Here's why:

• it's rare that smaller companies can match the aggregate compensation package of large ones; people tend to work for small companies for other reasons
• there's more risk in small companies (although I don't recall your current industy...)
• if they're calling it an AA position, but describing something else...well, it just doesn't sound right...AA's don't redesign processes, they type the new process up for the folks who design it. (Don't get me wrong, I have four AA's and they're integral, but in my view, they're not strategic in their focus...but an outstanding AA is worth their weight in gold but rarely gets the credit they're due)
• benefits are often way underestimated as to their real value...and the long term value of a pension plan is huge, even if distant...

Sounds like you're doing a great job at negotiating in a constructive way, and I hope it works out. But, I think once you complete this worksheet, it's going to say "stay"...

Good Luck

You might also consider looking at other terms, beyond administrative assistant, to use when discussing this job... sounds like you might have grown beyond that as a job title.

I just read this...and there's a lot of merit to what blueskies is saying...

[Running Mommy]

Funny, I was reading down the replies thinking... "where is mr. silver, this is the perfect thread for him"....
And low and behold, he had chimed in. I agree w/him. If you can't take the risk of a potential pay cut, I would stay.

[Mr. Bloom]

Funny, I was reading down the replies thinking... "where is mr. silver, this is the perfect thread for him"....
And low and behold, he had chimed in. I agree w/him. If you can't take the risk of a potential pay cut, I would stay.

Thanks for thinking of me I've been swamped and mentally fragged beyond measure lately...so I've been scarce...

[LBTC]

Thank you, Mr. S, I was hoping to hear from you!

Initially, the reason I wanted to leave: horrible boss. That has changed so that I currently have a good boss, but by June I will be working for both of them. Yuk. One of the partners at the new firm, which is a small local office, but has many people placed throughout Canada and the US, is a guy I used to work with. I know I can work for him.

Have you heard of the Canadian Forest Industry? That's what this larger company I work for is in. I'm seeing a few signs that there could be more "right sizing" coming. Frightening, but I've been with the company for 12 years, so they've got to pony up bucks if they drop the hammer. Also, I've been on a great pension plan for 10 of those 12 years - they changed it 2 years back - so the pension is important, but it's not as critical as it might be for some.

The way I see it, I'll ask for their numbers, compare them to my numbers, have an in person meeting with them as soon as possible, and give them my counter offer. I'll see the reaction then and we'll see if we can settle.

I really like the idea of changing the job title. Any suggestions?

Add to all this that my grandmother passed away a couple of hours ago. A whole new thing to deal with all at the same time. That's life, right?

Thanks for all of your ideas and thoughts. Let me know if there's more you can tell me.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[Deborajen]

I really like the idea of changing the job title. Any suggestions?

What would the job title be if it were a male employee? Titles are important to men - or at least they definitely have been everywhere I've worked. Get away from the word "assistant." Maybe "analyst," "specialist," or even "technician" emphasizes skill and expertise. Watered down titles encourage lower compensation, and they're dead weight on a resume.

Deb

[Grog]

Manager
Expert
Analyst
Coordinator
Director

Good luck LBTC. I agree that you have earned to graduate above the eternal AA.

[tulip]

I agree, Administrative Assistant will not serve you well for future positions, plus it sounds like you are way past that.

Strategist or Analyst come to mind, knowing the very tiny bit I do about the position.

When I lived in France (different work culture), I could have gotten an admin asst or secretarial position easily, but I was way overqualified (several graduate degrees, but none from a French university). It would have been a good start in the US, to get a foothold in a new country and learn alot and work my way into a position that I was qualified for. But in France, once you have that title, that's what you'll be tagged with. It's a different work culture there, of course, which is one reason I came back to North America.

[Mr. Bloom]

Initially, the reason I wanted to leave: horrible boss. That has changed so that I currently have a good boss, but by June I will be working for both of them. Yuk.

That's motivation. I've adhered to a simple rule in 23 years of work. My priorities to professional happiness are in this order:
1) Who I work for - do I respect & trust them, can I follow them
2) Who I work with - can we work well together, enjoy our environment, be a team
3) What I do - is it enjoyable, challenging, etc

There's 20 other things that are important to me (money included), but I find if these three things are in place, everything else will follow.

Maybe this is why I've only had three different employers in 23 years... I actually got fired from my last job because I refused to sign a non-compete agreement...why? because I didn't trust the guys I worked for and refused to be permanently yoked to them...

Follow your heart and your gut...you'll make the right choice

[Mr. Bloom]

Did anything happen?

[LBTC]

Thanks for checking in Mr. Silver.

Last Tuesday I picked up their benefits brochure and compared their package to mine, and talked with an accountant I know to try to value the pension plan I would be leaving behind. I calculated a high figure to factor in everything, a low figure to cover base wages and out of pocket which would allow the bonus to try to make up the difference, and a few levels in between.

On Thursday I emailed my contact, requesting an in-person meeting so we could discuss the offer. I didn't give any numbers in my email as I think this is better done in person. I have not received a response yet. I know they have a lot of travel going on, so I'm attributing the lack of response to that.

While I think this is a good opportunity in many ways, it is not vital and necessary at this point for me to move to another job. If they want me, we'll figure out something that works for all parties.

Thank you for your excellent counsel on the subject. I'm still hopeful!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~