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Why would a partner give a $70K counter in one case(when he goes second) and offer you $125K in the other case(when he goes first)? It seems contrary to my exp

Why would a partner give a $70K counter in one case(when he goes second) and offer you $125K in the other case(when he goes first)? It seems contrary to my experience. In my experience, you are lowballed when you don't take control and set your price. Also, if you want $125K, you can either ask for $150K or not budge on $125K(and make it clear that it is non-negotiable beyond $5K) ... the no-budging works great if you have other similar offers. That is how I got my present salary anyway. You are talking about resetting anchors. While it can happen, generally the first number is a stronger anchor than the second.

run4yourlives 15y ago
>While it can happen, generally the first number is a stronger anchor than the second. Not so, because the second anchor sets another number the moment it is uttered: the middle ground. Employers may lowball you if you are forcing them to give a number, so what. If the number is insulting, you suggest that perhaps the interview is a waste of time and leave. Nothing lost. If the number is low but not crazy, you suggest that it is low - and won't be the final number - and carry on, taking this into account when you counter with your "high" number. If you are asking for $150 and "making it clear that $125 is the minimum" you've effectively lost out on the fact that the employer may have given you >$125, but only as a last resort to losing you completely. Setting the first anchor is generally a bad idea.
- badclient 15y ago
  Nope, if you set it at $125K, you walk away from anything lower. That is how I do mine...I leave at most $5K room for negotiation but other than that, I tell them this is the fair salary in my view and they can match it or I walk. And indeed, I'll walk if they can't come pretty darn close to it. The $150K is if you want to play a more elaborate game. Then you don't say between $125K and $150K. But if they come back with a $130K counter, you take it.
  - run4yourlives 15y ago
    If you set it at $125, and get $125, their budget was probably at least $150. You're leaving money on the table and not even realizing it.

run4yourlives 15y ago

>While it can happen, generally the first number is a stronger anchor than the second. Not so, because the second anchor sets another number the moment it is uttered: the middle ground. Employers may lowball you if you are forcing them to give a number, so what. If the number is insulting, you suggest that perhaps the interview is a waste of time and leave. Nothing lost. If the number is low but not crazy, you suggest that it is low - and won't be the final number - and carry on, taking this into account when you counter with your "high" number. If you are asking for $150 and "making it clear that $125 is the minimum" you've effectively lost out on the fact that the employer may have given you >$125, but only as a last resort to losing you completely. Setting the first anchor is generally a bad idea.

badclient 15y ago
Nope, if you set it at $125K, you walk away from anything lower. That is how I do mine...I leave at most $5K room for negotiation but other than that, I tell them this is the fair salary in my view and they can match it or I walk. And indeed, I'll walk if they can't come pretty darn close to it. The $150K is if you want to play a more elaborate game. Then you don't say between $125K and $150K. But if they come back with a $130K counter, you take it.
- run4yourlives 15y ago
  If you set it at $125, and get $125, their budget was probably at least $150. You're leaving money on the table and not even realizing it.