WHAT WILL YOU COST?

WHAT WILL YOU COST?

from the article "Insiders Guide To The Hiring Decision"
How The Hiring Decision Is Really Made

By F. John Reh, About.com Guide

What Will You Cost?

Every hiring manager has a budget. This budget has to cover the salary and benefits of the new hire, but also any adjustments to salaries of other team members that may be needed as a result. If the hiring manager can hire you at the targeted salary or below he/she can stay within budget and won't have to spend any time making adjustments. If you request a salary above the target the hiring manager may be able to accommodate that salary, but he/she will have to spend some time making adjustments. Are you requesting any benefits that are outside the company norm, like an extra week of vacation? Even if the hiring manager can arrange that, he or she is going to have to spend time and effort making the necessary arrangements. This doesn't mean you should not ask for the salary and benefits you feel you deserve, just that they may make the hiring manager's work load increase. The hiring manager may decide you are worth the cost, but it will impact the hiring decision.

The hiring manager is going to rank all the candidates for the job based on what they will cost, in both time and money:

* Are your salary requirements at or below the target for the position?
* Are you requesting any benefits beyond the company's norm?
* Will hiring you require the hiring manager make adjustments to any other team member's salary?
* Will hiring you require any additional effort on the hiring manager's part to justify any additional expense?
* Does the hiring manager believe you are worth the additional cost?

MY THOUGHTS

the issue of pay is something that you need to think about very, very carefully. how much you're getting now or how much you used to get in terms of pay should not be your first decIding factor. the company size, the industry, current market forces must be considered first when you quote your asking price.