Skilled Negotiation

"We would like to offer you the position at $19,000 per year," the company manager told me over the phone.

My heart dropped. That was much less than I had gotten at my last job. I heard myself say, "Can I get back to you?"

What are you doing? I berated myself as I hung up. I should have been grateful! After being laid off when my former employer downsized, I had asked God to help me find another good job. This was my first offer.

I called a friend for advice. "You should negotiate for a higher salary," she insisted. "With your experience, you are worth more."

Should I negotiate? The months of unemployment had wrecked my self-esteem. Maybe this was all I deserved. Lord, thank you for this job, I prayed. I'll be happy with whatever you think I should have.

Resolving to take the job either way, I decided to make a modest counteroffer of $20,500. I called the manager back. "You made me an offer of 19," I said shakily, "but I would like twenty, five."

Without any hesitation, he accepted. When I met with the personnel director on my first day, I noticed something odd. The salary I was getting was listed not as $20,500, but as $25,000! God had let me know I was worth far more than I had even dared to ask.

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