Asked for (and got) more money!

[FLBiker]

My department has gone through a lot of transitions over the past 5 years, and I've bounced up (with raises) throughout the process.  My bosses have been generous, so I've taken what they offered.  At the same time, as a regular forum reader, I've read a lot of "don't accept the first offer" type posts.  We're going through another re-org, and I'm being offered another promotion.  This time, I did some research ahead of time of comparable salaries, and when my boss made his initial offer, my face (unintentionally) showed my lack of enthusiasm.  I responded by asking "If I don't accept this new position, can I keep my current one?" and the negotiation began.  I ended up with a 10% raise, plus an additional 3% (on this new base) in October.  It was painless, too.  I think I was always afraid of seeming "ungrateful" if I asked for more money, but my boss didn't react that way at all.

Thanks for the inspiration!

[Lordy]

Well done and congratulations!

I believe that negotiating is a skill that isn't taught or learned these days by many. We go to shops where everything has a fixed price tag and pay the amount found on our bills in the mailbox. Therefore it's not surprising that most people just take the first offer. There is very limited downside in negotiating but a potential big upside so it's almost always worth it.

[forummm]

Very cool! I wish I could do that.

[Need2Save]

Awesome for you!!!  So glad to hear it worked out. 
If others are freaked out by appearing greedy or demanding and there is zero wiggle room for pushing the financial aspects of a job offer higher (even internally), you can always ask for something non-financial as a consolation prize like maybe being able to work from home once or twice a week or moving to a bigger office with a window (gasp!).   The key thing is that you put your boss on notice, in a kind-way, that the financial stuff does matter to you and that you do want to be rewarded for hard work and sticking it out during such transition and commotion.  It's easy for employees to be distracted by constant reorganizations.  Most companies have some wiggle room to keep the flight risks happy.  Even if they can't do so now, hopefully they remember to bring up your salary or bonus a little more when merit time rolls around again. 

Assuming of course, that you are doing good work and there is not an abundance of same-skilled people with not much to do.  If that's the case, you may find your expedited your own departure.   Sounds like that didn't apply to you!!!

[FLBiker]

When my boss asked this morning if I'd made a decision about the position, I said yes, but asked for an additional 2 grand, which he's going to consider over the weekend.  We'll see!