Well... first off, thanks to anyone that can help or can give any insight :)

Next, I am sure you've seen my whiney post in the lounge about the economy and my pending lay off. Well, recently, I was called by an old friend and work acquaintance about an opportunity. The company it's with was spawned from people that used to work at Ricochet, a place I was employed at as well. I had an interview this afternoon. I got a job offer a couple of hours later.

The thing is, the offer is for 15K less than I make now. With the economy being the way it is, I hugely mind don't mind, but, the first interviewer felt that I was worth more, and the only reason they only offered that was because I am weak in subnetting (the second interviewer is against using a subnet calculator). So during the process of negotiating what I should get, one of my old supervisors that is now a manager there disagreed and felt I was also worth more. The owner wants me for a certain project that will start in February, one of the reasons I was called. It is dealing with Ricochet like technology, which I am very familiar with.

Now, looking at the tax brackets on the IRS website. I would bring in around 1400 or so biweekly with the offered 45K. I would like to counter offer 47K, just to bump it up to 3000/month. I am not being greedy per say, we are a one income household. I have a mortgage, truck, bills... my husband is completing his degree in Mechanical Technology, so he does not work.

What would you guys do? Is it worth it? I know I should be extremely lucky to even find a job in this flailing economy.

Thanks!
Cristina-

You can shop around. But if its a place you would like to work at, you could take this job for now. Then climb the latter, or see if you can arrange an agreement with the boss to have a better job when it opens up. But you could end up stuck where you dont want to be. With the info I have, that all of my advise.

I agree with Chaotic... Given the economy & all, take the job and work your way back up the food chain. Maybe you can even have an automatic raise thrown in when you hit a certain level of proficiency in subnetting as a balance to their offer.

Good luck whatever you decide to do;)

Personally, I would take the job for what it pays and keep looking for other work. If you find a gig that pays more then I would go to your new company and demand more. If they say "Screw you", then I would tell them to take their job and stick it. Then again, thats just me.
BTW: $1400 bi weekly is pretty good bread. If you wont take the job just let me know and ill take it...
:D

Chrissy, what you have to realize is that this whole 'hiring' deal is just a game. They will always try to be on the low-end of the going rate, and if you don't play tough and try to get it raised to midlevel or high-end, they're gonna screw you over. If they already told you you're worth more, then screw the offer and tell them your counter-offer. Seriously, the chances of them letting you go are slim and hey, it's money so I'm sure you'll find a good use for it.

I say, go for it, just aim high and be flexible. I'm sure you guys will work something out.

Thanks for the input. All of you gave me stuff to think about.

I do know about the mentality of the company, seeing as they used to work where I did, and many of my ex-coworkers worked for these supervisors. They are balls to the wall, work is number one, give us your life types. Which is no problem with me, unless it's all take and no give, but only time will tell.

It is a small company, I find there is less structure at smaller places, which gives you the opportunity to learn more.

My head is racing. :) I just don't want to make mistakes and I have never price haggled before.

Thanks guys! :)

Originally posted by tam
...what you have to realize is that this whole 'hiring' deal is just a game. They will always try to be on the low-end of the going rate, and if you don't play tough and try to get it raised to midlevel or high-end, they're gonna screw you over.

Exactly! It is like negotiating with a car dealer in some ways. Instead of saying you can go down the street for a better deal you can say you have some other opportunities that offer more. The higher your starting salary the better. You can always agree to the original salary they offer if you really have no alternatives.

ALWAYS counter-offer. They'll tell you "we don't negotiate" but everyone does.

Sweet! I went more so tam's route and I got 48K instead of the original offer of 45K.

They must of not had a problem with it at all, I called them and counter offered and they called me back within 10 minutes.

Thanks for helping me out guys. I appreciate all of your opinions.

Man, what a relief. I kept having nightmares about standing at the unemployment office. Especially after I read my current employer was considering chapter 11!

Cristina-

The gentlemen I spoke with actually said I could counter offer, but I would have to re-interview with a team of engineers and essentially be "pounded" for information. So much for that, I start next week, no re-interviewing!

AWESOME! Thats great I was going to toss my two cents in, but guess the advice paid off!

That is great!

Cristina owes Tam a nice Sushi dinner. DiscussAnything.com delivering the goods baby. ;)

Raises are based on percentages so the higher you start with, proprtionally higher the raise will be.

Virtual sushi for all! :D

Congrats.:D

Does this mean i get a percentage? hee hee

I'm glad you tried my theory, good to know it works ;)