Thread regarding 3M layoffs

Don’t discuss compensation until you have an offer. And then negotiate. When interviewing, flip it around. Say it doesn’t matter what I was paid in the past. What is this position paying? What is the scale? And then just say that is acceptable. Your first objective is to get the interview. Worry about salary later.

I’ve found the same thing and have given other 3Mers input on it - the company does pay above average especially in between the coasts. I’ve seen a 5-figure difference below when looking at other opportunities outside. Hindsight the salary is good but the culture is beyond toxic. I wish I had made that much as a T4 lol (inflation does that).

@1zaw+1mOdwZZw

I've seen the pay comps go both ways, both under and over the market. I think it depends heavily on the specific field. 3M paints a lot of different specialties with broad brushes (like T-scale) and that leads to the individual misses both ways.

For large companies, from my discussions I see 3M at or slightly below average on the whole. Not by a lot, but maybe a few percent.

Compared to smaller companies, 3M pays quite well still and leads to cases like you have seen.

You very well might have to take a pay cut at other companies in the Twin Cities. I know of several people who have had their initial HR calls cut short because they discuss salary and are told that 3M overpays for the same roles and number of years of experience. Add it to the list of unfortunate circumstances we all are in now

Know your worth and don’t settle for less. Don’t move backwards unless your scope of responsibility is decreasing. 3M was paying you in the 130 range because you’re worth it (or more).
Your bonus calculations and future salary potential at your next employer all start with you incoming base salary, so getting it right is important.

As a people leader at 3M an now another company, 120-125 is the going range for 7 years. You are lucky to have been T4 and 135 with your experience

3M benchmarks to conglomerates and to Midwest.

For the REAL tech industry, 3M pay is a joke. But those jobs aren’t in Minnesota. Think Cali, Texas, AZ. Even Michigan.

If you stick to MN, then you’d be good to be within 10% of current pay. Worse if you are in IA or WI.

There are a number of employers that simply pay less. Especially with smaller companies, the benefit premiums will also hack at your earnings.

You don’t understand how the ranges work. The idea is to work your way up the range and angle for promotion when you reach benchmark. T4 in your 30s and below benchmark is a strong position.

Keep at it. Defer compensation discussion as long as possible. For better or worse, you’re not in a position of strength, so I might suggest that a slight pay cut would still be a win. As another person noted, you can also move again later. Then again, if you market yourself well and find the right fit, you could easily earn more.

Best of luck! Again avoid the $$$ talk as much as you can and read the tea leaves on the org. Recruiters that ghost you right after the $$$ comes up are glorified used car salespeople.

Looks like you are doing well to get to T4 so quickly

Sorry to hear about your situation. I was laid off recently as well. Do not discuss salary amounts until you get well into the interview process. You know nothing about the complete benefits picture of a company and the specific position early in the process. A lower salary could be alleviated with a spectacular benefits package. The company and/or recruiter know nothing about you early in the process so you have no leverage yet. You give a number or range too high, the company or recruiter most likely will just shut down. You give a number too low and now you've just short changed yourself. Good luck trying to ever increase that low number. Tell the company and or recruiter that you don't want to give a number or range due to the reasons above. Ask them what the approved salary range is for a position. I've had good luck with having the recruiter or company HR person give the budgeted range for a position early on. Then you can decide if you want to pursue the position.

You need the company to get to know you first through the interviews so that when they offer you the position, the salary negotiations can then take place AFTER they know what skills you bring to the table AND the value you can bring to the company. If they really like what they see in you through the interview process then negotiating a salary is much easier!

Are you asking if 3M was overpaying you? I would say, most likely not.

Look at it this way - be OK with making a bit less than you're currently making (before being let go).

Find out what workplace culture exists - is it a fun place to work? Does leadership respect me? Is there a FUTURE here for me?

You may very well find that the extra 10K you may want to ask for will lead to no offer.

If they really like your work, you may get a promotion. If not, you are a FREE AGENT who can decide to jump for a better job in 2 years.

I've worked in Delaware - not a bad place to be (not that hot in summer and winters far better than Twin Cities plus lower taxes) and DuPont labs are still renowned, though not like the hey days of the 1970s and 80s. I also know someone who worked at DuPont and made a point of keeping her LinkedIn updated. When DuPont didn't offer her a higher position after a few years, a competitor actually reached out to here through a hiring agency. She got a 50K raise and more perks.

Short answer: if you get an offer from DuPont's Ex Station, take it! You will be happy to leave the dying 3M

The fact is even today, 3M pays pretty well in the TC area. Only Medtronic, Boston Scientific and a few other big names pay as well for technical roles.

For better pay one has to move to other locations outside the Midwest or continue to stay here and take a paycut, if you want to stay technical.