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...