Tag Archives: salary bidding war

8 steps to start a salary bidding war

$80,000.

No, $82,500 plus free healthcare.

We’ll pay $85,400 plus healthcare plus 401k matching.

Recruiters hate it.  Job hunters love it.  I’m insane for telling you about it.

2 or 3 simultaneous job offers can be exciting and pay well.  How do you get people making offers to keep raising the salary and benefits? Luck is only part of it.  Here are some other ways to make it happen:

  • Make a list of companies you want to move to.
  • Submit resumes 2 months before you plan to quit. Call hiring managers.
  • In interviews let them know when you want to start your new job.
  • Always ask what the next interview or job hiring step is.
  • Stay on top of every potential job.
  • Let the recruiters know what step you are in at other companies.
  • Be fair.  Disclose the offers to everyone.
  • When you make a commitment, stop accepting offers.

WARNING

A lot of companies refuse to play the bidding game. They make their best offer first.  They also offer more than just more money.  They offer a career cannon that will propel you where you want to go.

Don’t get so caught up in a bidding war that you forget that a quality offer at a quality company is a better long term bet.

Something to do today

Make a list of 10 or 20 companies you want to go to work for.  Make an action list so you can do a great job of applying to all of them in a week.

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Later: Top secret job hunting

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