Monday, September 18, 2006
Your Blue Book Value - Get Real
Last week Suzy got a job offer. For about 5 years she'd held a job she disliked. The stories she told me validated her misery. The management was unfair, she hated having to sell anything, the product was boring and she was lonely in her home office. Ok I bought it.
With her new resume she got interviews and then ultimately a good job offer. She spoke very highly of the company, the opportunity and the job functions ... she was to become an International Customer Service Representative rather than a Sales Representative, her current state of persecution. She was excited. But when the offer came there was one big problem. It was less than she expected ... not less than she was worth and no less than she was making ... but less that she expected. Suzy was disappointed. Oh she accepted the offer all right. Why did she expect more? Ummmm because ... it was amazing how quickly she forgot how miserable she was with her current employer. It was all about unreasonable expectations for no substantive reason.
Marc however did turn down his job offer. His current job was in jeopardy because his company had been acquired by a bigger player so he began his search. He liked the new company that wanted to hire him; he was excited about the job (a step up) but because his offer didn't cover his wife's temporary income loss of $40,000 during relocation, he sent a "thanks but no thanks letter." He may never receive a better opportunity. She could have gotten another job once they relocated.
It's captivating how candidates will forget both how much they hated their last jobs or their current employment insecurities and what great opportunities they now have due to one factor ... Money ... When greed and ego set in logic is abandoned.
Remember, you have a Blue Book value and will be compensated accordingly. Of course compensation can be negotiated but based on justification and not on egotistical expectations or the need for YOUR household income. Beware of human nature!
With her new resume she got interviews and then ultimately a good job offer. She spoke very highly of the company, the opportunity and the job functions ... she was to become an International Customer Service Representative rather than a Sales Representative, her current state of persecution. She was excited. But when the offer came there was one big problem. It was less than she expected ... not less than she was worth and no less than she was making ... but less that she expected. Suzy was disappointed. Oh she accepted the offer all right. Why did she expect more? Ummmm because ... it was amazing how quickly she forgot how miserable she was with her current employer. It was all about unreasonable expectations for no substantive reason.
Marc however did turn down his job offer. His current job was in jeopardy because his company had been acquired by a bigger player so he began his search. He liked the new company that wanted to hire him; he was excited about the job (a step up) but because his offer didn't cover his wife's temporary income loss of $40,000 during relocation, he sent a "thanks but no thanks letter." He may never receive a better opportunity. She could have gotten another job once they relocated.
It's captivating how candidates will forget both how much they hated their last jobs or their current employment insecurities and what great opportunities they now have due to one factor ... Money ... When greed and ego set in logic is abandoned.
Remember, you have a Blue Book value and will be compensated accordingly. Of course compensation can be negotiated but based on justification and not on egotistical expectations or the need for YOUR household income. Beware of human nature!
