TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
So, if I follow your account, you're now making $3K less at employer B than the solid offer from potential employer A.
However, you didn't say if you are happier there (at company B) than you might have been at company A.
If you're happier and feel more fulfilled at company B, count your blessings. I chose wrongly back in 1980 (which doesn't SEEM so long ago, eh?). I had an offer for a public affairs/public relations job at a nationwide health insurer at its downtown Cleveland, Ohio, location (which was closer to home for me). But another company was "leaning towards" offering me a position as a marketing / technical writer at its location on the other side of town.
I didn't know ahead of time that the health insurer in downtown Cleveland job was a veritable revolving door and the politics were horrendous. I was there less than six months. My contact at company B was really miffed that I accepted the other job, but I had no definite indication and really was naïve and did what I thought at the time was correct. In hindsight, I should have held out for company B, but how was I to know?
Like I said, life's a gamble.
-- Ken in Atlanta
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+poshedlyk=polysius -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+poshedlyk=polysius -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Sarah Bouchier
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 8:52 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Offer Letter
I've had some success with renegotiating post-interview.
I was in the very fortunate position of having received a really good salary offer from potential employer A. The only problem was that I didn't want to work for them; I'd 'clicked' well with the interviewer from potential employer B, who would be my direct boss. But their original job ad had specified a salary 'up to' 10K less than A, and they hadn't actually offered me the job...
There was only one sane thing to do in that situation, and I didn't do it. Instead, I contacted the recruiter and explained my position, without mentioning the actual figures involved because, as I explained, I didn't want to get into a salary 'auction' which would just lead to bad feeling all round. In return, she told me that I was the only candidate being considered at B and went off to do some negotiating for me.
I'm now working at B, for a salary 7K more than their initial 'maximum'.
So it can be done. But it's possibly better to try it when you've got a backup plan in case it goes wrong :)
-----------------------------------------
Sarah Bouchier
Technical Author
exony
>-----Original Message-----
>From: techwr-l-bounces+sarah -dot- bouchier=exony -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+sarah -dot- bouchier=exony -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com]
On
>Behalf Of Poshedly, Ken
>Sent: 08 January 2007 13:26
>To: Gene Kim-Eng; vrfour -at- verizon -dot- net; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>Subject: RE: Offer Letter
>
>Gene,
>
>I assume that your reply is specific to the apparently fictional
>government job described by James.
>
>But how to handle non-gov situations and those where budgets are not so
>carved-in-stone?
>
>From what I've gleaned over the years:
>
>* Don't bring up a possible salary figure DURING the interview process
>because you'll immediately be dumped if your expectation is beyond what
>the hiring manager *wants* to pay with no consideration given to your
>non-financial advantages (very desirable skill set, consistently good
>accomplishments at previous jobs, impeccable references, etc.).
>
>* Don't try to negotiate a possible salary figure AFTER the interview
>process because the hiring manager already has determined what you'll
be
>paid and your resistance is futile (again, even with your very
desirable
>skill set, consistently good accomplishments at previous jobs,
>impeccable references, etc.).
>
>Is one or the other more successful in your option? I know that both
>approaches are used, but I just thought I'd ask.
>
>Life's a gamble.
>
>-- Ken in Atlanta
>
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: techwr-l-bounces+poshedlyk=polysius -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+poshedlyk=polysius -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
>Behalf Of Gene Kim-Eng
>Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2007 3:50 PM
>To: vrfour -at- verizon -dot- net; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>Subject: Re: Offer Letter
>
>Well, you could try recontacting whoever you interviewed with to
>determine if there is an opportunity to revisit their classification of
>your grade compared to your actual experience. However, my guess is
>that in the case you postulate it will turn out they know perfectly
well
>that your actual experience would make you a TW2,
>3 or 4 but you got the TW1 offer because that's all the budget for the
>position will cover.
>
>Gene Kim-Eng
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "James Barrow" <vrfour -at- verizon -dot- net>
>
>> What happens if the compensation offered is at the TW 1 level? Do
you
>
>> call the Department of Redundancy? Do you draft a counter-offer that
>> mentions the disparity between experience and compensation?
>>
>> I'm fairly certain that this wouldn't happen since we're talking
about
>
>> a government position, but what if...?
>
>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>__________________________
>
>This e-mail message and any attachment contains private and
>confidential information and is intended for the addressee only.
If
>you are not the intended recipient (or responsible for delivery of the
>message to such person), please do not read, copy,
use
>or disclose this communication to others.
>If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by
>replying to this message, and then delete it from your system.
>
>Attachments: Please use our "Send us a file" link on
>http://www.PolysiusUSA.com.
>
>Thank you.
>____________________
>Polysius Corp.
>Atlanta, Ga. USA
>http://www.PolysiusUSA.com
>Voice: 770-850-2000
>Main Fax: 770-955-8789
>
>
>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
>WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word features support for every major Help
>format plus PDF, HTML and more. Flexible, precise, and efficient
content
>delivery. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
>
>Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats
or
>printed documentation. Features include single source authoring, team
>authoring, Web-based technology, and PDF output. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
>
>---
>You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as sarah -dot- bouchier -at- exony -dot- com -dot-
>
>To unsubscribe send a blank email to
>techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-
>l/sarah.bouchier%40exony.com
>
>
>To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
>Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
>http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word features support for every major Help format plus PDF, HTML and more. Flexible, precise, and efficient content delivery. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or printed documentation. Features include single source authoring, team authoring, Web-based technology, and PDF output. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as poshedlyK -at- polysius -dot- com -dot-
To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
__________________________
This e-mail message and any attachment contains private
and confidential information and is intended for the addressee only. If you are not the intended recipient (or responsible
for delivery of the message to such person), please do not read, copy, use or disclose this communication to others.
If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message, and then delete it from your system.
WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word features support for every major Help
format plus PDF, HTML and more. Flexible, precise, and efficient content
delivery. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include single source authoring, team authoring,
Web-based technology, and PDF output. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- infoinfocus -dot- com -dot-
