So I'm looking for advice. I really want this job to work. And from a bare-bones perspective, I'd say the difference between what I thought was my absolute minimum acceptable salary and what they've offered is about $9,000 (that's about half the difference from my present salary with hour long commute each way).
How should I approach them? All the standard benefits are included, 401k match is good, and to ask for more vacation would only result in my having more vacation than I could take. Do I ask them to meet me halfway? Do I insist on my former minimum? Must I suck it up if I really want the job?
Seriously. I've never had to do a negotiation on salary before; folks have always come to me and made offers I couldn't refuse since I left that old consulting company. This is an offer I could easily refuse, but don't want to...
So what's the right way to go with this? I did tell the recruiter who extended the verbal offer that the salary was *significantly* below my expectations and that I'd need to talk it over with the family before getting back in touch with her. Made no implied acceptance whatsoever.
Oh. 'nother note: I did know I'd have to take a cut for this job. The reason companies locate to an area like mine is to get cheap land and labor.
