Negotiating internal promotion offer - Update 12/13

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I'm supposed to get an offer tomorrow. Just based on past promotions, they like to 10% you on promotions and the position I'm being offered, I believe is worth 30%. That is based on a number of things.

When they give the offer, do I bring it up then, or should I ask to review it before accepting then go back to them in writing? I don't want to appear ungrateful for the offer, but I've been with the company 17 years with several promotions that I didn't feel competent to negotiate for a higher value. This promotion however, I believe I'm worth what I'm asking.

I have a list of reasons as to why I believe it's worth the extra amount, but just curious what anyone's experience in the past has been

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You're probably going to receive a bunch of LinkedIn-esque answers in this thread, but the truth of the matter is that companies aren't the same across the board, because the people running them aren't the same across the board.

Only you know, or can suspect, how the decision-makers may react if you were to counter at the time of offer or later.

With that said, sit down and ask yourself (if money were no object) would you still want the promotion? Will you enjoy the new duties, will it offer exposure into things you don't currently get now, do you even want the new position or do you just want more money? If you don't have it already, would this new position offer you an avenue to a seat at the proverbial table?

For the pay portion, what does pay entail? It's different for everyone. If they kept the base at 10% but offered more PTO? Would the promotion offer more flexibility regarding hours and/or work/life balance? Is there an increase in bonus potential? This may offer insight into the disparity between your number and theirs.

If the answer to the first set of questions is yes, then I would counter. Tell them you appreciate the offer but based on your research, and expectations for the position, you feel X% is a more comfortable number. If they say no, ask 1) why, and 2) how can it get there? This should offer you a road map that you can counter with and say "Okay, I'll accept at the 10% if you agree to do a comp evaluation in 6 or 12 months to determine if I'm meeting these goals and expectations".

If your answer to the first set of questions was "no", then I wouldn't accept it either way.

Reality is you don’t have leverage internally with the exception of walking. I’ve found that it’s best to be transparent on your compensation expectations. If you are doing the job and can be paid significantly better externally, your company needs to be aware that they are not meeting your market value.

If they give you a promotion bump and the comp changes don’t hit the mark, the best thing you can do is share the excitement for the opportunity but disappointment in the offer. No manager wants to hear that someone is disappointed on what should otherwise be a moment of progress in a career.

My biggest regret was not negotiating an interval promotion.

I went from a low stress manager told over two easy people to a director level in a more critical department with an umbrella of 22 people under me for 10%. I guess at the time I saw it as a good opportunity and was excited for it.

Left the company for a 35% raise two years later for a lesser role managing nobody. Lol.

And a terrible manager with that attitude is likely underpaid as well. Or they own the company and think they can find someone easily to do the same job for less money. Either way, it’s a pretty good indicator that it’s time to move on for both parties.

The reality is neither side actually knows your value until you look elsewhere. People love to spout out that another job is paying much more, but until you are hired away no one really can say that. Maybe you are a marginal or shite employee and your manager just doesn’t care enough to fire you so they would be happy for you to leave. Maybe you are in a unique position and your manager doesn’t have any other IT people so they have no idea on your value? Maybe your manager fricked your wife and feels terrible so they are going to overpay you. We don’t know. I don’t think it’s unrealistic to have a conversation with some data to back it up on what you think your value is. But be prepared to walk if you do.

One card to play is that 10% barely covers the inflation price increases we’ve seen.

Follow up with good news. 30% salary increase and 50% more bonus.

I feel super fortunate especially given the economic climate right now. They came in with a 25% offer and I requested a little more and got it.

Thanks for all the advice here.

Damn that’s awesome

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If I offered you the position and you tried to argue me what you think it’s worth, you’ll have plenty of spare time to start your own company and set whatever salaries you’d like as soon as I can arrange it.

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Working for you sounds like a job only a guy could dream of.

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Follow up with good news. 30% salary increase and 50% more bonus.

I feel super fortunate especially given the economic climate right now. They came in with a 25% offer and I requested a little more and got it.

Thanks for all the advice here.

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That is awesome, congratulations! In a world that generally views that employer/employee relationship from a cynical POV (some justified, some not), it sounds like you have a place that values you. Best of luck in the new role!