Graduating in May. Currently have 2 job offers. Any suggestions for how I should go about trying to increase the salary of the offers?
I've never negotiated competing offers before and I was wondering how I may approach this situation. As a new grad, I don't have a ton of ammunition to negotiate, but I'm hoping to increase the salary of the offer from Company A. I've been with Company A as an intern for 2 years.
Company A
Salary: $69,000
Signing Bonus: $5,000
Relocation: $3,500 + Meals, Housing, Mileage to destination
Out of ordinary benefits: Profit Sharing (Typically ~3% of Salary)
Notes: Cost of living 2-4% greater (depending on source) than Company B location
Company B
Salary: $70,000
Signing Bonus: $0
Relocation: N/A
Out of ordinary benefits: none
I would consider, at the most, just going to Company A and saying "I really enjoyed my time here as an intern, and I appreciate the offer. However, as I'm just starting out my career, it's hard to leave money on the table. Company B is offering me just a bit more than you, and I'm wondering if you can match it. If you do, I'll accept."
Alternatively, you could go back to Company B and try to get them to up their offer first, by citing the fringe benefits at Company A. Then when you go back to Company A you'll have a stronger hand to play. Since (it sounds like) you'd rather end up at Company A anyway, there's no harm at all in going to Company B, since you don't care about offending them.
One thing I've learned, though, is that most employees are way way too reluctant to negotiate salary. Just do it respectfully and without letting emotions run the show. It's just business. You're selling your services (or renting them, anyway) and you ought to get a reasonable price for them. Seeing you do this in a professional way will only make companies want to hire you more, in my experience.
