Negotiating entry-level MBB offer?
I've recently been fortunate enough to receive an offer from an EMEA office of MBB. It's for the firm's entry-level consulting position.
I am a successful graduate of a target U.S.-based school and have a little over a year of relevant post-undergraduate work experience.
Although the offer is generous, it seems to be significantly lower than what the other two MBB firms offer entry-level consultants in this particular city.
Can I even consider trying to negotiate w/o other offers that are higher? I mean they don't know that I don't have other offers, but I am wondering how I should approach this.
My line of reasoning was going to be, "look, the other two firms are offering higher starting salaries in this city and I don't think you've accounted for my year of work experience in the offer you gave me. Is there any room to negotiate?"
Anyone have any thoughts or experience? I know offers are pretty standardized at this level, but I feel like there should be some wiggle room in this case.
I wouldn't give them any details about the situation and your logic at first. I'm a fan of, "I really need $x to make this work for me." Then just shut up and see what they. Don't talk yourself into a hole. Of course, be prepared to support your argument.
No. At my MBB it would run counter to the whole compensation philosophy to have people with the same tenure have different base salaries. If you mention you have higher paying offers elsewhere, you may well be told with a smile that they are a great firm too and you should totally go for it. Recruitment wants you to join because you're excited about the work, people and firm, and if all it takes is a few bucks for you to change your mind better now than later.
^^ on the money.
Also, I'd doublecheck sources on competitor comp. I'm not familiar with EMEA, but in most regions (Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe at least) MBB stay very close to each other in terms of all-in entry level comp.
If you're comparing offers you've received, is there any possibility you're getting different credit for experience?
Don't negotiate money terms. The only thing that you could consider arguing for would be coming in as a second year analyst. However one year of work experience is not enough, especially if it was not in consulting.
Going in as a second year is also something that you might not want to do. MBB have their own tools and working styles and if you go in as a second year you are placing a bunch of expecations on yourself. You would be given a different level of responsibility and you might not be able to do well at many tasks.
Finally, I am also extremely surprised. Actually I almost don't believe that different MBBs are paying very different amount for the same position. That is not the practice in the regions that I am familiar with. Usually choosing among MBBs is, by design, not a money decision at all. When people get different offers, these firms compete on brand, areas of specialty, and corporate culture.
The only thing you may be able to negotiate is the signing bonus. I had to forfeit my annual bonus at my pre-MBB employer and asked the firm to give me a signing bonus in lieu of the annual bonus and it worked (EMEA region as well).
Don't be a fucking dick. I'm in a similar situation (other firms in my city pay a higher salary). Nobody has been stupid enough to ask, but the official answer is, "Wow, it's great that they pay that much. If that's important to you, maybe you should work there instead."
And in general, for analysts they don't pay up for work experience unless you have enough experience to enter as an official second-year analyst. If you're going to be a first-year, you make what the other first-years make.
Consulting Offer Negotiations (Originally Posted: 11/24/2007)
I have received an offer from a small boutique consulting firm. Since the managing partner controls the conditions of my offer and not HR, I have been able to negotiate a little on my salary, signing bonus and start date. My question is that I have been given only 10 days PTO which is for vacation and any sick days - Is this standard or pretty low for PTO? The company also has 10 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays. How, and what is the appropriate way to ask for more PTO?
i think 15 is more reasonable, how much additional pay did you negotiate if you dont mind me asking, percentagewise is fine if you dont want to give me a number im jjust curious.
Also is it protiviti by any chance, I have heard of that happening there.....
I received 4% more in salary.
No, it is not Protiviti.
How many sick days do you use per year? I'm just wondering?
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