I lost my last job over 2yrs ago. It's been tough as a family man, with survival by God's grace and a working wife. During the last year, I enrolled and just earned a masters degree.

Recently, a top tier company called and we've been interviewing back and forth, till today - when I was asked to pick my offer letter. I arrived there joyfully and opened the parcel, where I found that I'd been offered about the same salary package I earned on my last job, over 2yrs ago (almost 3, actually).

I sat with the HR personel who advised that I take my time to think of the offer and get back to them on conclusion. I however subtly expressed my discomfort and that I'll be thankful for an upward review of the figures cause of the added values I can bring on board. Honestly, this method of negotiation was suggested as a norm, by a friend who works in the same sector/industry. We rounded off the meeting on a mutual promise to revert if we ever come to terms with our offerings.

On getting home this evening, my darling wife raised 'hell' on the risk pertaining my asking for an increase (I haven't/didn't turn down the offer). She expressed that I am dispensable and can easily be replaced. She's very angry.

The waiting game begins as I dread the embarrassment of running back to say "ok, ok... I accept!!" Or the blessed assurance that I'll be called upon for a review. I'm giving them till Thursday before I "turn myself in". I left the meeting confident but now sitting at home, confused and clueless.

NL'ers, any ideas please?

Hmmmmmm

Oh my dear brother, you really shouldn't have done that from the first day of collecting your letter, granted you needed more money as it is obvious you know your worth and what you are able to deliever to the organisation but you should have been a bit patient, started your job and then the call for remuneration package revaluation would come at a later date. This is however a gamble so sit tight my brother and see how it plays out. I wish you well

skarlet: I lost my last job over 2yrs ago. It's been tough as a family man, with survival by God's grace and a working wife. During the last year, I enrolled and just earned a masters degree.

Recently, a top tier company called and we've been interviewing back and forth, till today - when I was asked to pick my offer letter. I arrived there joyfully and opened the parcel, where I found that I'd been offered about the same salary package I earned on my last job, over 2yrs ago (almost 3, actually).

I sat with the HR personel who advised that I take my time to think of the offer and get back to them on conclusion. I however subtly expressed my discomfort and that I'll be thankful for an upward review of the figures cause of the added values I can bring on board. Honestly, this method of negotiation was suggested as a norm, by a friend who works in the same sector/industry. We rounded off the meeting on a mutual promise to revert if we ever come to terms with our offerings.

On getting home this evening, my darling wife raised 'hell' on the risk pertaining my asking for an increase (I haven't/didn't turn down the offer). She expressed that I am dispensable and can easily be replaced. She's very angry.

The waiting game begins as I dread the embarrassment of running back to say "ok, ok... I accept!!" Or the blessed assurance that I'll be called upon for a review. I'm giving them till Thursday before I "turn myself in". I left the meeting confident but now sitting at home, confused and clueless.

NL'ers, any ideas please?

Bro u shld av accepted d offer 1st & find your fit b4 bringing up that matter considering the fact that you are in btw jobs 4 ova 2 yrs. Ur wife was rite 2 be angry. Now u are palying a game of CHANCE instead of accepting d REAL game. Its dicy now bt all d best & be hopdeful pls.

You think I should go there tomorrow and grab it?

However reluctant, I'm seriously considering this.

Very tough one.
But please don't be mad at your wife its not easy supporting a husband who has no job.
Kudos to her.

About the job,just pray they'll call and reveiw our salary.
Honestly I belive they will.
On the other hand if they don't, just swallow your pride and go back for it.
Its well with you.

Very tough one.
But please don't be mad at your wife its not easy supporting a husband who has no job.
Kudos to her.

About the job,just pray they'll call and reveiw your salary.
Honestly I belive they will.
On the other hand if they don't, just swallow your pride and go back for it.
Its well with you.

Gosh !

men and their ways !

you have been out of job for almost 3years and then you finally got an offer with the same salary you earned at your last role and you had the NERVE to raise objections about the salary even before you left their office.

you wife has every bloody right to be very angry. considering the fact that she has been the one bearing most of the financial burden of the family you must be a very selfish man. if you were not, you would consider the financial support and encouragement that she has given you over the last 3 years and take ANY job offer that comes your way.

how can you even try such stunt in this competitive job market? do you actually think you are the only person that can bring ''value'' to that company? i am sure that there are people out there with MORE RECENT JOB EXPERIENCE that will jump on the offer even for a LOWER pay without thinking twice.

skarlet:
The waiting game begins as I dread the !embarrassment of running back to say "ok, ok... I accept!!"

seriously so the fact that you've been jobless for 3 years is not embarassing enough

you had better contact the company and let them know that you are happy with the offer and send them your acceptance letter ASAP !

^^^^^^^^ You've spoken well. This OP hasnt learnt his lesson yet.

OP, hope your 'darling' wife gave you a resounding slap and not just rant angrily?

Please dont waste time at all cos u can be replaced immediately.
I hope you have gone to drop ur acceptance letter?
You shld even be grateful to God for this opportunity.
Start first and make the move of increment be4 ur confirmation.
O' boy u deserved to be horsewhipped by ur wife honestly.

Guy in as much as I don't want to start commenting negatively on your actions, I dare say you played your card too early, you should have told them that they should give you like a day to think about it maybe that will give you time to discuss it with your wife.
as it stands now , there is 90 % chance those guys might not call you again , because you exhibited an altitude that shows u were just after the money and not the growth of the company or what value you are bringing into the company. masters degree aside, you should have taken the job, learn the ropes and show you are indispensable before hammering on pay rise with your direct boss who will then take it to the HR.
Just pray they call you back or better still call them now!! and take the offer, anything can happen between now and when they get back to you. they know you are out of job that's why they started with your last job pay, there is nothing wrong in asking for a raise but it should be done with tact and wisdom.

Thank you all. There's been good and bad news.

The good is.. I went back the next day, where the HR officers gladly received me ; grinning ear-to-ear. They ushered in to the empty office where I signed the documents and went on merry way.

The Bad... I was driving back and stuck in traffic, just 20mins after I left HR. I received a text from my prospective HOD who constituted the panel in about 2 of 5 interviews, saying "MYNAME, I received updates about your package offering and have talked to HR about it. They'll look into it and will revert this evening."

1. Could I have waited a bit more?
2. Could this be the reason HR staff were glad to see me (like - "we didn't have to raise the bar, after all"?
3. I thank God all the same for this opportunity, whether standard or lower than I expected.

Thanks guys...

okeyz: Guy in as much as I don't want to start commenting negatively on your actions, I dare say you played your card too early, you should have told them that they should give you like a day to think about it maybe that will give you time to discuss it with your wife.
as it stands now , there is 90 % chance those guys might not call you again , because you exhibited an altitude that shows u were just after the money and not the growth of the company or what value you are bringing into the company. masters degree aside, you should have taken the job, learn the ropes and show you are indispensable before hammering on pay rise with your direct boss who will then take it to the HR.

Just pray they call you back or better still call them now!! and take the offer, anything can happen between now and when they get back to you. they know you are out of job that's why they started with your last job pay, there is nothing wrong in asking for a raise but it should be done with tact and wisdom.

WEll said. Thank you sirs

skarlet: Thank you all. There's been good and bad news.

The good is.. I went back the next day, where the HR officers gladly received me ; grinning ear-to-ear. They ushered in to the empty office where I signed the documents and went on merry way.

The Bad... I was driving back and stuck in traffic, just 20mins after I left HR. I received a text from my prospective HOD who constituted the panel in about 2 of 5 interviews, saying "MYNAME, I received updates about your package offering and have talked to HR about it. They'll look into it and will revert this evening."

1. Could I have waited a bit more?
2. Could this be the reason HR staff were glad to see me (like - "we didn't have to raise the bar, after all"?
3. I thank God all the same for this opportunity, whether standard or lower than I expected.

Thanks guys...

I told you they'd call.
Its better to buy something that would last(quality) for a very high price.
If I was part of the HR team I wouldn't want to lose you if you know your onion.