Iannis

Hi guys,

Please help me with the following information. 10 days ago an important telco company sent me a job offer that seems to be beyond my minimum expectations. Already discussing, negotiation back and forth.

How much negotiation room do recruiting teams usually have? Can they increase the initial offer by 15%, 25%, 50%? It seems like a lowball negotiation game at least for now. Any information from your experience will be helpful.

The initial offer for a senior specialist role in training is 145k USD p.y. (housing and transportation allowance are already included in this total amount, no extra perks).

Thank you very much!

Bahtatboy

If it's already beyond your minimum, then looking for an addition 50% seems a bit greedy. (Having said that, it's rarely good to leave money on the table.)

In my (long) experience, each company is different in how it approaches salary offers and negotiations. Some, albeit few, won't budge; many will expect a 10-15% increase from their initial offer; some will offer significantly more. I'm wary of the latter: if they have the money to pay 50% more, then a low initial isn't exactly showing respect to what they will no doubt term their company's "most valuable asset" (even a putative one). And the really good and smart companies don't make an initial offer, or at least not for unique positions. However, we're talking KSA here, so unless it's run by really savvy guys, my experience would lead me to guess that there's another 10-20% to be had - but much depends on how much they need you: if you have a USP that really sets you apart, then really push it.

However, regardless of what their actual budget is, there's a negotiation technique (best used face-to-face) that can usually extract the last drop. But that technique's too valuable to be bandied about on t'internet. It can be bought, though.

If you've been introduced by an agent, they should be able to give you some guidance.

One thing, though: if you're in the position to get a job paying $145k (even though it's in a toilet and it's all-in), surely you have some experience of similar employers' approaches?

Iannis

My bad, sorry. What I meant was "below minimum expectations". Thank you, Bahtatboy! Yes, I do have similar experience, but zero when it comes to Saudi.

Mal786

It may be worth talking to recruiters in the industry in order to understand salary bands