Received two job offers yesterday.
One paying $48,000, which frankly isnt affordable.
The other-

$65,000 basic salary
$10,000 relocation allowance
They'll pay for the costs involved in my obtained PR & TWP.
3 weeks holiday
50% of medical
other benefits, which I can chop/change as it suits me.


I'm pretty pleased with that, I have to say.
However, Im concerned at the mortgage multipliers, because property aint cheap in Edmonton.
Would I be greedy if I asked them to increase the salary to $70,000.
Are they expecting me to negotiate?

I didn't negotiate my salary or vacation as I felt the the relocation was generous enough and the company was semi govt so it was pretty much set in stone for vacation. It's a personal thing and a gut feeling for how much they want/need you.

you might gain an extra 5 grand a year (what's that, about 400 dollars a month?) but it could cost you more than that if it tarnishes your reputation going in to the job or they re-think the offer because they think it's more than fair already (which it might be, if the other job offer was 48k). feel lucky to get a job with a decent salary and more than 2weeks holiday to start and relocation costs and don't be penny-wise and pound-foolish.

Yes!
No!

As an employer looking to take on new staff, I offer as little as I feel is necessary to get an individual to accept a job. It's a starting point to negotiate from.

I don't recall ever just accepting the first offer put in front of me, and it's been rare that potential employees haven't come back and negotiated on some point (not always salary, often pension contribution, holiday allowance etc).

If you ask in an appropriate way, the worst that they can say is sorry, but no.

Eh?

Why's he lucky? - the company must think he's worth it, or they wouldn't offer it. More than 2wks holiday isn't that rare, and if the co. are going to help out with relocation costs too, then it suggests that the OP's seen as a valuable asset for the company.

How can he tarnish his reputation by a polite enquiry or negotiation? Sounds like you've been too accepting in the past of what's been put in front of you. $400 p/mth covers running costs on a vehicle - why wouldn't you want it if you could negotiate it?

If you do open a negotiation, don't put a number on your counter-offer, just ask nicely if that is their best offer.

sorry - I should have been more clear - I've generally been on the hiring end. We get quite a lot of applicants for positions, and rarely even advertise them because we get overwhelmed with resumes even more. the HR people narrow them down to about 5 candidates - and usually 2 stand out from the others. like many ontario employers (maybe it's different in alberta) 2 weeks is standard - and sometimes only AFTER the first year is completed.

I could say we don't raise an eyebrow when a candidate tries to negotiate salary but I'd be lying - and in one case, we ended up hiring the a different candidate (no reason to think the other one couldn't do the job just as well if in the top 2!). I'm sure it really depends on the field and the position - but it can certainly be very difficult to get your first job in canada without canadian experience for some people - and in that respect, it's lucky not to have to worry about it!

I too have generally been on the hiring side, and find it difficult to understand why you'd reject your first choice hire on the basis of them enquiring about whether the salary is negotiable. If it isn't, all you need to say is no, rather than kicking them into touch and taking your second choice.

often first and second choices (and sometimes third and fourth) are actually pretty similar - there are usually a number of people who can fill a position just fine. we take a request for a better offer after one is made as a bit of a proxy for how much they really want the job - which in some ways it is. if the labour supply-demand balance shifted, I expect we would too.

Thanks for the replies.
The manager I'll be working under mentioned in the interview that he thought $80k was about right for someone with my experience.


Cant say I've been in a hiring position before, but I find it hard to believe you'd drop a candidate for asking for more money.


Anyways, I'll mention it to the recruitment agent and see if she thinks it's worth asking or not.

Cheers

Hi,

Can I ask what job you will be doing for that money? Trying to see how the wages compare to over here. My OH has been looking for work and not getting very far. There is only so much networking you can do from the UK. Planning a trip over to Canada soon though.

was thinking that too lol

Insurance

Remember that the agent may have a vested interest in you gaining a higher salary (their fee may be based on a % of your earnings), so their reply might not necessarily help you.

In my mind, a candidate asking for more money is just showing some initiative and negotiation skills. Dropping them seems a good way of cutting your nose off to spite your face.