Evaluating Offers:

Most individuals interview for a new job an average of once every four years or so at best. Because of the infrequency the typical person interviews, many don't know how to determine what a good salary offer is. At Prime Objective, Inc. we've taken statistics on each placement from hundreds of interviews conducted annually, and arrived at a formula you can always use.

Regardless of your current salary, whether it is $55,000 or $555,000, you know you have a good offer on your hands if that offer is at least ten percent ABOVE your current compensation. However, you may do even better. Any offer falling between 12 - 15% ABOVE what you are currently earning is excellent. Occasionally we may see an individual secure an offer that is 16 to 20% above their current income. In some rare cases, an offer may exceed this percentage. KEEP IN MIND this is a rare occurrence. Here is the formula you can use:

Offer is 10% above current salary - GOOD
12 - 15% above VERY GOOD
16 - 20% EXCELLENT
Above 20% BEYOND EXCELLENT

Your recruiter will try to determine if you have exhausted any possibility of remaining with your current company in another position. If you think you may be able to negotiate an increase, a promotion, or departmental move, the time to do it is BEFORE YOU HAVE REVEALED securing an offer from another company! The professional way, to handle an offer, is to give it one to three days maximum (most offers are accepted or declined within 24 hours since by the time we have reached this point the candidate has generally had ample time to study the position, research the company, and get comfortable with the people he/she would be reporting to).

If you accept, do so with appreciation and gratitude toward your new employer. If you decline, do so decisively; take no more than two or three days. It is best for future relationship building if you tell your recruiter specifically why so that she/he may help avoid the reason which made you turn the offer down going forward as you are presented to other companies. YOUR recruiter will appreciate being recognized for their hard work, whether you accept or decline. Do so with professionalism and thank him/her. You are most likely to encourage them to work with you again in the future if you leave your bridges unburned.

Here is an example of the professional way to decline an offer: "Thanks Mr. Jackson. I’m flattered they offered me $65,000 and chose me of all the candidates you interviewed for this. Although this may disappoint you, I must respectfully decline as I have chosen to (remain with current company/accept another offer at higher salary, etc.). I hope we can keep our friendly business relationship open in years ahead." That is the correct way to decline.

In one case, a promotion took place in the midst of the search, we believe as a result of his current company suspecting he had interviewed with us. We were able to obtain an offer in exceeding the candidate's NEW higher salary by still another 10% ... yet were turned down only after asking for a week to think about it. Its a sure bet to blemish your credibility and professionalism, and portray yourself as someone other recruiters may not want to ever approach again once word gets out (recruiters do regularly meet at association meetings...word will inevitably get out) that you may be an indecisive candidate to work with. Not to mention, this could annoy some more aggressive recruiters into raiding the department or staff of the manager engaging in such behavior. No professional recruiter would want any candidate to accept any offer you feel is not right. What IS expected is to make such a declining of an offer with empathy, courtesy, gratitude, appreciation and professionalism. Doing so ensures you will have a business contact to speak to in the future. Its a matter of simple respect, the same you would like to be granted toward yourself.

Other offers/Multiple offers:
If you accept or are about to accept an offer with another firm, call your recruiter and let him/her know. Not only will this flag us to stop further efforts, but in case we can accelerate something we've already invested time in, now's our last chance to see if we can bring something to the offer stage in case it has been stalled.