I am a new ME grad about to join EM. Just got my offer letter today, but was wondering if I should counter. It is the ~same~ pay new grads received last year, so was wondering if I should counter, and ask them to match the 6-9%+ everyone else is getting. Is this a good move? or will I eventually get this companywide raise?
25 replies (most recent on top)
Location has a big impact on the negotiation. The Big manufacturing sites have lost most of their high quality experienced engineers and are desperately trying to fill those holes. You will have much more success when there are groups that are looking to fill several openings.
When interviewing at the sites, you should ask the hiring manager how large the group was 3-5 years ago, what the turnover has been and why they left, voluntarily or not, and what their planned headcount will be. Also, ask HR what the retention rate for 0-5 year employees has been. If you don't get straight answers, which you won't, ask to get others in the groups contact numbers and reach out to them. Taking a job offer is a huge life decision, you should do your research.
As a new hire trying to fill in the gaps of those who left, you will be dumped on, so you should ask for more money. Especially, since after a year, when you are looking for employment elsewhere, you already have a higher salary to meet. In hindsight, if I were given a second chance, I would not have taken a job with XOM. It used to be a good thing to put on your resume, but employers these days are seeing a lot of people with XOM on their resumes.
Definitely counter, it’s different this time. I am a recent ChemE and asked for 10% more and got it, no questions, wish I asked for more. Told a ME friend to ask for 12% more on his offer, but he just asked for 10% and got it also. Tight job market for engineers and Exxon needs them.
Counter if you will, but EM won’t improve the offer. Take it or leave it, there are plenty more new grads in the pool
Yes you can ask as part of the negotiation process. This is very common. EM offers the minimum for new hires. You should also ask for a CL bump. If you are successful two things are guaranteed; your raises will be lower than your colleagues and you will be PIPed in two years. But you will feel good for 3 months before reality starts to settle in.
You should always counter. You may not it get it, but it can’t hurt.
@1jff He’s worth $90k-$110k.
The people you’re talking about are EE/CompE, know at least two programming languages, and go through several rounds of interviews (up to ten) with punishing assessment tests prior to being hired. Many have PhDs or masters degrees and are published in their fields, the ones with the PhDs by default.
You know not of what you speak.
You’re right about the boomers on here though. And yes, most of them can’t reboot a PC after installing a patch. It’s pathetic.
You are a ME, not Chem E which is valued a lot more at xom
Have them show you your "Potential Ranking" before accepting any offer.
That's already recorded in your file.
Are you heritage EM by any chance?
It was said before but I’ll repeat it. If it’s worth it to you, go ahead and ask but be aware that the original offer can be rescinded. It may not be the hiring manager doing it but it could come from the HR drones. I saw this happen to several people in my cohort. I ended up not getting an offer from a competitor so I took what I had. If I hadn’t my offer would have been rescinded.
I understand not wanting to leave money on the table but just be aware that the leverage can change fast. I found the best way to counter an offer is with another offer.
Go ahead and ask. I did when I was first got my offer and they didn't change a single number. The mindset displayed in the previous posts is the reason why traditional engineers have gotten absolutely shafted in salary for the past 50 years compared to our colleagues in computing. We have worse wlb, worse salary growth,worse location options but we're just as smart and capable. New grads are getting 50% more minimum for top tier companies and growing faster too. The boomers on here have been complacent about their worth for decades practically begging for the tiniest raises. Unbelievable to me that others are literally insulting you for trying to get what you're worth. Young people need to change this.
With the way you're thinking, you're not a good fit for EM and you'll leave after a few years. You're best off selecting another company instead of EM.
We received a raise because of our work and efforts over the PDS cycle this last year. If you’re not employed yet, why should you be entitled to an increase?
No amount of money can make it worth it to work here. Your sanity and health will soon deteriorate and your personal relationships will suffer. You might make some good money, but the cost to YOU will be high.
Not really
@OP You have zero bargaining power at this stage of your career. Full stop.
You should be aware that several O&G companies are into their first, second, and even third rounds of layoffs, meaning there’s a decent chance that they can pick up an ME with 3+ yeas of experience for the same money, or maybe slightly more for much higher added value (less training, TWIC, competitor knowledge, etc.).
My guess (assuming you’re not trolling) is that they’ll get tired of your BS and pull the offer, which, TBH, is probably not a bad thing for you.
You can ask, but only do so if you are fully prepared to walk away if the answer is no or if they rescind the offer. From what I understand, the offer is the offer, and successful negotiations to raise are rare. Very unlikely right now when the company is in cost cutting mode.
No need to ask. You will be on par with your colleagues in a year. Very fair system.
Sounds like you will be a good fit for the company. Money first. Let me guess, you are an Aggie.
Tell them it’ll take another 7%. If you don’t walk for the big order you won’t get it.
Sure. But don't think they won't rescind your offer and find a new ME that would take less pay. They looking for people that would be cheap to get.
Because lets be real. You aren't competive enough to negiotate at this point
Why are you being a greedy Gretchen and not grateful for getting a 6-figure starting salary at your very young age?
Your biggest challenge at this stage is to just hang on to the bucking bronco without getting thrown off early.
Welcome to the PIP Pool. May the odds be forever in your favor. No way in heck I woul accept an offer here
You can try. But I wouldn’t bank on it.
You should counter
Once you join, next year, it will get adjusted to the salary reference curve: hard to get the salary bump, since raises are only for employees joining before Oct 2022.