What does it mean when a new job makes you an offer (for salary)?

Question

I am about to start training and it is there that they (a very large company I will be working in retail for) will "make an offer" to me for my hourly wage.

Would it be a good idea to take what they offer me, even if it is less than what I expected? Am I even in the position to ask them to pay me more? It would probably make me nervous to do so, but since it is a very large company I cannot help but have expectations, and I am very much trying to pay off my student loans right now.

Any and all help would be much appreciated :-). Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer!

Answer 1

If this is your first job, you haven't got much negotiating room. You're probably just expected to take the job. After you get the offer you can test the water and see if they will increase it to what you were expecting. Your odds are 50/50 at best. Since you already have the offer, all they can do is say "No". Then you can decide if you should take the offer for experience and look around again in 2 years.  

Answer 2

There are many out there looking for work. This big company knows it and probably has a huge filing cabinet of people wanting this job and probably have the education to help them.

The larger the company doesn't mean the larger the amount paid to employee's. In fact, it's often the opposite. The CEO's are the ones who make the big bucks while all the little peons run around doing all the work for little pay.

Making you an offer does mean that you can counter it. But don't push too high. You aren't likely to start out at 50 grand a year with anyone, especially not at this time. If they offer you 30 or more, take it. Ask if there is any possibilities for a raise in the first year. Doesn't hurt to ask. If they are below 30, try to see if they can go to 30. Don't push too hard, don't say you have to think about it. Often companies will let the offer die while you are thining and they'll hire someone else in happy to jump through hoops for what they offer.

good luck.  

Answer 3

decorum would be:

ask human resources jokingly and in good taste if your salary can be "upped" a bit

to suit your level of professionalism

Answer 4

I think if they are offering you the advance pay then good, take it its more then what you were making before , and who ever said that you couldnt ask for a couple more bills an hour. It wont hurt to ask IF your not satisfied with your amount that they offer you. Whats the worst that can happen ?!! If they are not liking what ur asking im sure they will tell u and work something out, there not gonna fire u , hey after all u made it that far!!  

Answer 5

they will most likely ask you for what you would expect to be paid.  In your circumstance you should state a number slightly higher than what you would accept.  for example if you cant accept less than $25,000 a year, you should ask for $30,000.  Remember - you wont get it unless you ask for it - they will not offer you $30,000 if you ask for $25,000.

If they counter with a lower number - such as $27,000/yr, you could counter with an extra week of vacation, parking spot, paid holiday, etc.  Its perfectly ok to have realistic expectations of what you would like, it shows confidence and brains.  But remember - the golden rule is - no deal is better than a bad deal.  you dont want to be stuck working for someone and you cant afford your apartment and student loans, you have to make a living.