Quote:Just finished up a talk with the hiring manager.


I got an extra week of leave per year, a flexed schedule (but they are pretty loose when it comes to office hours anyway), a slight bump in pay and pushed back the start date until the middle of August.


Now I have to ask, for those of you that stated "no" do you think that negotiations are hostile? Why would having a discussion about something like this be a bad thing?

I don't think negotiations are hostile.  I've done the same thing you have in the past, but I was dealing with a contracting firm.  In my situation, I wasn't completely convinced I wanted the job, so I used the rate as my opportunity to price myself out of the gig.  I underestimated their need, and when I countered with a higher rate, they didn't blink.  At that point, I had to make a decision.  I still didn't really want the job, but I had friends who were looking who were equally qualified for the position, so I declined the offer, and provided them with a referral who ultimately got the job. 

 

I don't think it's a bad thing to have that salary discussion.  Setting a rate initially when applying for a job doesn't preclude you from going back for more, but depending on the company you're dealing with, they may pull the offer and go in a different direction.  I've seen that happen a lot in my industry. 

 

You had a good outcome.  Congrats!

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