Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

I think it's because the employer knows that you're good enough to have a job so they want you. I remember reading some Yahoo article that said those who are unemployed have a harder time finding a job than those who already have jobs.

[VietCanada]

At first glance the second part of your post appeared funny but you are quite correct IMHO. I would also add never bluff.

[sainthood]

Only if you know you've got what they want, and can't easily get someone else... can be very good for getting higher pay

Which means - it doesn't work if you're looking at the bottom of the pool :p

[johntpartee]

Yes, I began my current job three weeks ago and even before I showed up I adopted a "take no prisoners" stance. I told them a couple of times to forget the whole thing if my "demands" (actually, basic living and working conditions) weren't met. And, no, I wasn't bluffing (you're right, VietCanada, VERY important). I met with the big boss last week and he offered me a five year contract. Your results may vary; I was actually a little surprised. (I didn't accept the five years, I told him we could renegotiate on a year to year basis.)

[ecocks]

I would modify the statement, "Never bluff" just a bit.

Perhaps something like, "Never make a statement that you aren't prepared to carry through with the consequences of carrying it out."

If I tell the employer that I am not taking a penny less than $1800, plus furnished accommodation and work visa, it's not a bluff if I am truly prepared to walk away from the table if it is rejected.

Personally, I never make a demand or negotiation counter that I am not prepared to live with if it some down to it. Those that say nothing less than $1800 and then turn around and accept $1700 are bluffers and have just clearly signaled their negotiating styles to the employer/opponent.

[BadBeagleBad]

For whatever reason, I seem to always be offered jobs I didn't really care one way or the other about. I think since I don't really care, I am more relaxed in the interview. If I really, really want the job, then I think I tend to over analyze or be too nervous. My current job, which I just started last week (was actually a promotion within the company I was already working for) really came out of no where. But last summer I was offered a really good job, but I didn't accept it because I was under contract at another job. I started the interview process just to see what would happen, really never expecting to get an offer.

[Teacher in Rome]

I think it depends on where you are.

In Italy (for example) there are very fixed ideas on pay and benefits. If you went in to an interview demanding X and Y, they very well might laugh in your face if they'd budgeted otherwise.

But I definitely agree with naturegirl on the phenomenon of unemployed people finding it harder to get work than employed people. If nothing else, you're negotiating from a position of strength.