money
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- e-wo0
Plenty of work in San Francisco. You'll need a job quick to jump the rent, though.
- YetiMade0
That would be awesome! Though, I don't know of any places that pay that much. Everywhere I go, people seem to want to get away with paying less and demanding more--no one seems to want to pay fairly.
Also, I've never done any type of salary negotiation before. Any suggestions?
- wordssssss0
who told you that you were a "fantastic web designer"?
- Someone always has to be a dick here.CygnusZero4
- Hey. Everyone has an opinion. I think I am a fantastic designer--I love what I do and it shows in my work and ethic.YetiMade
- YetiMade0
I also notice that I have a wonderful attitude and the ability to inspire others and make the people who work with me happy to be working--even when the project is a bit tough.
But yeah, any suggestions on how to negotiate a higher salary?
- wordssssss0
I didn't mean to be a dick, it was a valid question. If you are a fantastic web designer with 7+ years of experience you should be making a lot more than 32 k no matter the location.
- Its good to be positive about your work. So i guess at most Im jealous of that.wordssssss
- CygnusZero40
Just gotta get in a better location. I work in north NJ and make 82k, but you can make more than that in big cities of course.
- idiots0
orange county. highest concentration of fortune 500 companies
- YetiMade0
Wow- I would love to make that. I just want to be able to afford the things that I feel are part of normal life. And, be able to support my film-making projects.
My problem is up until the past three months, I never questioned my worth. Now, I'm starting to see that I'm getting screwed left and right.
I worked freelance for a year and got screwed by clients not wanting to pay their bills. Prior to that, I had my own studio, right when the economy busted. It taught me alot about myself, and gave me a more accurate perception of how my boss may see things. It's been a huge amount of struggle and growth.
- YetiMade0
I also think that I produce great work because that's who and what I am. I don't expect anything less from myself--that's why I do it. I do my best all of the time. I do my best no matter what, not based on what I'm paid.
- orrinward0
Better location, but also you should start the negotiations.
I love the work I've seen of yours, but you sound like you don't even suggest a salary to them.
If your work is average and you say 'I want 300k a year' they will laugh at you and leave. If you have shit-hot work and say 'I want 300k a year' they'll say 'That's ridiculous!! Your work is great though but the highest we can stretch is 55k'
Don't ask for 300k, but there's no harm done asking for 5k or so more than you value yourself at. If you start thinking 'My work is great, but I'll settle for 10k less' the employer isn't going to say 'Oh we'll give you more'.
I'm very very inexperienced, but with the little experience I have of freelancing, gutsy wins. I thought I was overselling myself and preparing to negotiate a middle ground on my last freelance job. I threw a figure nearly double what I expected to get paid and they just said 'OK I think we can swing that'. It's like winning the lottery when you throw a number higher than you expect and they say yes to it.
32k atm, you must be going for junior-midweight roles still, but your work and experience shows you should be aiming for the higher tier.
- YetiMade0
That's great advice! I guess I just think that people will treat me the way I treat them.
I was happy to get a new job, closer to home and not working for people that screamed about the company not going under the next month--I took what I could get, and I feel lucky to have a job. But, now that I look at it, and I start asking around, I'm noticing that I deserve much.
Also, previously, all of the other places I've worked at I've asked for 25 an hour, and they basically laughed at me.
Suggestion on how to negotiate a salary?
- Yeah. Here's how I negotiate. Ask for more money and if they don't give it to you... leave.palmer_
- YetiMade0
Is the 90 day review period a good time to ask for a raise?
- yes. the 90 days is for you to review them as well.monNom
- Do you think you're appropriately compensated for the work you're doing?monNom
- If not, now's the time to get it sorted out so everyone can move forward on the right foot.monNom
- however, you may have already set the precedent of 'how much you cost'. The damage may be done.monNom
- just go in knowing that you are a profit-center for your employer. they feed you money and get 3-4x that much back.monNom
- Thanks man - you're right. I need to get this sorted before the game goes any further. Thanks for your feedback!YetiMade
- orrinward0
I don't really know. I've had one year of experience on a paid placement and subsequent freelance work with them since I left and a few other odd jobs.
It just surprises me that you could be earning so little when your work is so much more advanced than mine. When freelancing I've been charging between 35-45 an hour (pounds, not dollars.. like $55 these days?) and I'm still a junior.
Your work is great, perhaps you aren't selling it well enough. You're confident in it but confidence needs to be expressed.
Having a firm financial plan set out really seems to scare/impress a client into giving you what you suggest.
'I will charge $15,000 for the job in total. After intiial discussion I expect to be paid 1/3 of that value, a further third after I deliver the content, and the final third after any final amends' sounds much better than 'Errm, I can do it for $15,000'. The numbers are the same, but you're much more likely to get the job if you act serious about the finances. Don't act negotiable until the client seems to be backing away.
Confidence talking about money shows that you are experienced with professional business etiquette and therefore more reliable.
- gabe0
YetiMade, speaking as someone who has owned their own creative agency: while i can't offer you a job, i can tell you that based on what you've said here, and regardless of what level of talent some may say you possess, you're exactly the type of person i'd love to hire.
anyone who radiates such positivity, gratitude, and determination is destined to succeed. start looking for new opportunities and keep your chin up...i'm sure it will only be a matter of time before something great comes your way.
good luck!
- YetiMade0
It's funny how much better I am at selling other peoples ideas than I am at selling my own. This year I've been working really, really intensely on fixing this and I feel that this whole thing is really the head of it. So, yeah--you're right :0)
Also, Gabe, thanks! That means a heck of a lot to me! And that's kind of how I feel. Though, I can see now that I really need to continue working for it. And, as tough as it gets, I'm really blessed to have a job when so many people don't.
To me, it's just important to always do my best, no matter what; not compromising on an artistic idea is easy; not compromising an attidude or ethic...well, that's a bit more of a challenge--but worth it!
- ukit0
Definitely don't settle for the 32k.
AIGA says national average for a "designer" (pretty vague) in 2009 was 45k. National average for a web designer 55k. 60k for a senior designer.
And that is the average of everything from Bumblefuck, AK to NYC. You can imagine the same positions in a city offer significantly more.
- YetiMade0
Woah - thank you for reminding me of that--I almost forgot about the AIGA! Thank you so much! I'm going to file that into my report when I go to negotiate my salary.
- mikotondria30
I will second that your work is great, really..
- ukit0
- Yeah; pretty much. I have always thought people will pay what you're worth and do right. I guess that's not the case all of the time. At least it's the case with me, and that's what matters.YetiMade
- I'd consider ditching your current employer. Why do they pay you so low to begin with?ukit
- I don't know. That's what they offered--I was in a position where I figured this was the best option I had--I needed a job because I was sick of freelancing and getting stiffed by clients.YetiMade
- YetiMade0
Thank you for all of your support, feedback and encouragement; it really means so much to me! I really appreciate everything :0)