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.
Ask yourself:
1. What is the cost of living in your proposed area and can I afford to live
on the salary offered.
2. It is unlikely the agency will wash their hands of you, after all they
market you and make money when you accept a job.
3. There are plenty of agencies
4. Not all writers are equal and salaries vary with specialization, currentl
computer specialists earn more than engineers.
----------
>From: TECHWR-L
>To: Multiple recipients of list TECHWR-L
>Subject: job offer & pay bargaining
>Date: 06 July 1995 10:19
>Return-Path: <@VTBIT.CC.VT.EDU:TECHWR-L -at- OSUVM1 -dot- BITNET>
>Date: Thu, 6 Jul 1995 10:19:19 +0100
>Reply-To: Bex <rebeccaf -at- COMPNEWS -dot- CO -dot- UK>
>Sender: "Technical Writers List; for all Technical Communication issues"
> <TECHWR-L%OSUVM1 -dot- BITNET -at- VTBIT -dot- CC -dot- VT -dot- EDU>
>From: Bex <rebeccaf -at- COMPNEWS -dot- CO -dot- UK>
>Subject: job offer & pay bargaining
>Comments: To: Multiple recipients of list TECHWR-L
> <TECHWR-L -at- vm1 -dot- ucc -dot- okstate -dot- edu>
>To: Multiple recipients of list TECHWR-L
> <TECHWR-L%OSUVM1 -dot- BITNET -at- VTBIT -dot- CC -dot- VT -dot- EDU>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
>I was wondering if some of you experienced job negotiators would give me
>your thoughts on a job offer I have just received.
>I am not yet experienced in job
>negotiation so I need to check what is reasonable.
>I don't think the pay is enough. Apart from just saying 'no' to the job,
>what should I do?
>Is there a limit to how much more than the offer it is worth asking for?
>(UK tech writers: At what point in your career would you expect
>to be paid #15,500?
>The 'package' is a salary of #15,500 + such things as #2,000 one off
payment
>for relocation (would that be taxable?); bonuses for work
>(amounts not specified); life assurance and medical insurance after 6
months
>(neither of which I are priorities for me); pension scheme after 1 year
(don't
>most companies let you join straight away?); and an annual
>weekend break with the company; performance and pay reviews after first 6
>months and then annually. I am not sure how many days
>holiday you get, as I am waiting to see the details in writing.)
>They say that the 'package' is worth more then #17 but I'd rather have
>the money (and the holidays).
>If I turn down the job, will the agency wash their hands of me?
>OK, I know I sound like a wimp, but it is better to confront my wimpish
>thoughts now so that I know what I am up against.