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Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 1/3/2008
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Location: Michigan
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I've been in the field for just over 18 months, employed the whole time. I have 5 years experience in libraries prior to receiving my MLS and a second master's degree.
I've been interviewing for jobs lately, and have had two offers with very low starting pay. Both times I said the hourly wage was too low, stated what I'd need it to be for me to take the job, and instead of this being the beginning of a negotiation, I was met with- "Well, sorry, that's all we can offer." I turned both jobs down. Both jobs had a "salary range" stated in the job ad- a range that went higher than what I was offered. I realize I've only had an MLS for a year and a half, but for both of these positions my prior experience and second degree made me a great candidate.
What is that about? How can I get to the negotiation part if people won't negotiate? Is this something I could get to earlier? Could I ask this before/during the interview? I always thought that you don't talk money until they offer it to you. But obviously that isn't working.
Suggestions? Ideas?
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Rank: Advanced Member
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newlib wrote:What is that about? How can I get to the negotiation part if people won't negotiate? Is this something I could get to earlier? Could I ask this before/during the interview? I always thought that you don't talk money until they offer it to you. But obviously that isn't working. Often salary ranges are set by HR policies. That does not mean the library actually has that much money available to pay a candidate at the higher end of the salary range. You may find that many libraries have little or no negotiation room due to many factors: tight salary bands, many potential candidates, strict HR policies, tight budgets, etc. It is not good to bring up money much earlier.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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Rank: Newbie
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Location: Montreal / Ottawa
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Is it worth simply and politely asking the interviewers if they have any power to negotiate in the range indicated? This may give them an easy out?
Bruce Norman Smith
MLIS II McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
Records Management Assistant, McGill University Archives
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Rank: Newbie
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Location: Illinois
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It really seems to depend on each library and if the director, or person in charge, is willing to negotiate. In the time I was at my public library, under three different directors, once was very willing to discuss years of service and give salaries accordingly, while the current director will not even discuss it. It seems that ranges are just to lure candidates in at times, rather than what they truly are offering for that job.
That being said, a friend of mine was able to really negotiate with her public library and get a good deal. But then another friend who went to the same library didn't have as much opportunity for negotiating her salary. The first friend was going for a higher up job and the second more of an entry level position. That might have been the major deciding factor.
I would see if you can find out information about a library before you apply, and perhaps even call the H.R. person and get a feel if salaries can be negotiated. They might not be very forthcoming of course. Or see if you can talk to someone who works there and get their perception of the situation.
But otherwise, if you see a range and realize the low range is not what you can work for, you might just want to pass on that job.
Good luck in any case!
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The importance of salary notwithstanding, I also like to remind people that there are many other things that are negotiable other than salary. Depending on your position or the library in question, your schedule (flex time) may be negotiable. Travel funding for conferences/workshops/professional development are often negotiable. One-time payouts are often more negotiable than annual salary, i.e. moving expenses, a signing bonus (especially if you are local and they don't have to pay moving expenses), computer equipment, etc. Some institutions are willing to pay for ALA or your association of choice. Consider the auxiliary things that are important to you.
--
Erin Stalberg
North Carolina State University Libraries
Erin Stalberg
Head of Metadata & Cataloging
North Carolina State University Libraries
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Rank: Newbie
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Location: california
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bruce.norman.smith wrote:Is it worth simply and politely asking the interviewers if they have any power to negotiate in the range indicated? This may give them an easy out? This is a really nice way to phrase the question and to know beforehand if the job is worth pursuing further. I know that the city I work for has a policy that no one comes in at an advanced salary; we all begin at the same rate and 'step' up - there isn't any negotiation. So, the salary range is the minimum you will start at and the maximum you will ever get to in that position.
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Location: kansas
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If you really want the job for a particular reason--where it is, what it allows you to do, etc---I would ask about how soon a pay raise would be feasible. I just hired someone late in the year, and was locked into that year's budget. I was able to give a decent (not great) raise at the start of the year. And, if you really and truly want that particular job, but can not live on the pay, consider picking up Christmas help at a bookstore or other place where your knowledge will serve. The pay stinks at bottom level retail jobs and the hours are dreadful, but a foot in the door at an institution is better than high moral ground.
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