Salary Negotiation at Offer Stage - am I just being too greedy now?

Hi all,

I have received an offer, in which pays 130k + a small bonus (<10%) in a corp/commercial dev type role in a large energy retailer/generator. 

During the interview / pre-screening, I stated I would be 'happy' with 120-130K (I think i must have done this to get my foot through the door), and then upon reflection of the market, I called the HR team to see if I could squeeze another 10% on the base - given the bonus is comparatively smaller than other competitor firms (anywhere from 10 - 20%), while sharing a similar salary base.

The HR team had replied with that they did what they could, and had accommodated for the top end of my range, so they felt it was unprompted to then hear a higher request from me.

Sadly I couldn't find good anecdotal / personal sample data and I didn't have another offer to leverage, but speaking to recruiters advertising other similar/competing roles, they were the ones to provide this quoted range and bonus to make me think I may have undershot myself. The bright side is that I do expect much better WLB given it is a larger retailer / generator, with on-balance sheet financial capacity to undertake deals.

IS there any way to redeem this? I feel even if I call them again, it looks more out of pity and they'll not budge.

THanks

---

On a side note - what's a reasonable way to request a start date in the new year? I have 4 weeks which leads me to early dec, but given it's so close to the new year break, it could be easier to start in the new year.

6 Comments
 

The mistake was in offering a range before passing the interviews. You can always retract and backpedal, but you'll find this very difficult to negotiate.

 

You don't have to answer the question. 

If you do answer the question, answer it honestly and be prepared to live with it. If you said you'd be happy with that number - why aren't you now that you got it? 

"And where we had thought to be alone we shall be with all the world"
 

Yeah, everyone who negotiates their salary knows that the correct answer to "what salary range are you looking for" is "one commensurate with the requirements of the role and the skills I bring to it".

Always let them go first. The first person to say a number loses.

 

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