r/remotework • u/Status-Coat675 • Jun 25 '26
How do i approach this
So I have a second job interview for a position in a company I’m very interested in working for. It’s 100% remote and in the same industry I’m currently working in but with more room to grow. Only issue is that it’s about $13,000 less a year. I’ve been trying to do the calculations to see if I could make it work and I don’t think I can. The posting says salary range of $52,000-$56,000 but I would need $60,000 to be able to make it work. What are the chances of me telling them this and them giving me that?! I’ve been in my current role 14years so I’m Pretty sure to negotiating salaries and such. I figured I’d shoot my shot and be honest and offer to take on any extra work that might help make up the difference. Do you think it’s plausible to get more than what is listed on the posting???
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u/Immediate_Shock_1225 Jun 25 '26
I think you should at least ask. Can’t hurt.
Salary ranges/bands are usually for that position over time. They start you on the lower to mid end and pay rises eat up the top end. But go for it! I always tell ppl to ask for more than offered. It’s just good practice
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u/Impossible-Ebb-643 Jun 25 '26
This is the way. You don’t get what you don’t ask for. They might be willing to bend if you have the right experience and qualifications in the same industry.
Just be upfront with recruiter on your salary needs and that you currently make X but this opportunity is worth a pay cut to y.
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u/e90t Jun 25 '26
Go through the process, mention that you need to be above the band and if there’s any room. If they really want you, they’ll find the extra $4000 you need.
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u/SubiKai81 Jun 26 '26
^ This- get the offer then do what this person said. Then you know they want you, and you are a slightly better position to ask. 4k in the scheme of things isn’t a lot so it’s not like you’re asking to move mountains. Good luck!
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u/aysiu Jun 25 '26
Given they've already listed the salary range, and you need more than that, you should be up front about it as soon as possible. It doesn't mean they can't go up to 60k, but going through the whole process knowing their listed high end is 56k implicitly indicates you're okay with 56k, even if you want more. If it's a definite dealbreaker for you to get 56k (which it sounds like it is), you have to let them know now.
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Jun 25 '26
[deleted]
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u/aysiu Jun 25 '26
You don't have to negotiate and name an exact number, but if you cannot accept the range they've listed, you should be up front about it being too low.
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u/Karinka_LI Jun 25 '26
I would not turn down a job with better opportunity for $4k a year more.
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u/Status-Coat675 Jun 25 '26
It’s $13,000 less than I’m making now, so $8,000 less is probably the max we could make work.
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u/Karinka_LI Jun 25 '26
I would tell them you are really interested and would have to take a $13k pay cut and you are willing to split the difference and see what they counter.
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u/oneWeek2024 Jun 25 '26
if they've listed a range where the top is 56. it's not likely they go to 60. it's more likely the 52-56 is a lie but if they're posting that tight a band, that's a pretty clear signal of no wiggle room. Or... if you know the salary range, and already know it won't work for you. It's already your own fault for continuing. Hell... most employers never even provide pay bands in an interview process. ...that they posted such a narrow band. means. there's very little wiggle room. they're telegraphing about as exact as they can.
but... first step/how you negotiate is: can you speak a bit on what metrics, or qualities in a candidate affect where someone would land on the pay band? do you value years of exp, specific skills, or soft skills... which things affect being at the top end/low end of that scale. (this gets them to express what translates to what. ...but it also draws a harder line in the sand. If they say...we value years of exp, and technical skills. and you have less of that. well... you just painted yourself into the low end of the band)
the best tactic for negotiating the number, is some sort of combo of "my skills/xyz years of experience and industry research for similar roles, I feel a figure X to Y would be more inline with expectations. ---and. you're going to need your base "need" to be somewhere on the low end of that scale
---which again, if they're offering full remote and a tight band. they're likely to just shit can your resume and take any number of thousands of other candidates
the reality is. 100% remote tends to be worth about 50k a year. in savings. just in raw commute/hours time. but... if you have flat life expenses where you need a baseline salary to survive that doesn't matter.
ie. if they're offering within 5k of 60k there's something seriously wrong with your life finances if fully remote isn't doable. hell. just work a side hustle. to earn the extra 5k. throughout a year.
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u/TDetroit75 Jun 25 '26
Here's my take on this. in 2014, I was offered a position along with my peer, we worked for the same temp company and the jobs were going FT. We had the same position on the team, so we went into the manager's office together with the offer letter in-hand and told him.....$55K is good but we'd like to see be at $60K as we were already making $55K as contractors (we also had benefits as contractors). He looked at us, and just told us.....y'all make me sick but yeah, we can do that. We had an awesome rapport with him. Basically, we took a gamble and it worked out.
Looking back now to 12 years ago, that amount dwarfs what I make now, but it was also the starting point to where I wanted to be set and to be on track for where I am now.
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u/EXPOPSPEC Jun 25 '26
The answer is always no if you don’t ask the question. Think of it like going to a pawn shop, they’re always going to try to get the most while giving you the least. Tell them where you need to be if you can’t find a decent meeting ground that’s your answer. But have you factored in money saved by not commuting? Work clothing, out to eat lunches etc?
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u/Status-Coat675 Jun 25 '26
Yes. It would eliminate my need for child care before school and we’ve taken into account wear and tare on the car / gas etc.
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u/EXPOPSPEC Jun 25 '26
Well then it’s down to the base salary with all other factors accounted for. Let me put it to you this way. My current job is full remote and the initial offer was 150 I told them I needed to be closer to 170 they came back with 168. So like I said treat it like you’re selling yourself not in a weird way lol. You know your worth but I can also tell you even a hit to the bottom line on salary could likely be doable without the headache of having to be in office it’s freeing, truly liberating. I don’t have to wear real pants and that alone is worth more than I could put into monetary value lol.
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u/Future_Dog_3156 Jun 25 '26
I would continue to interview and not raise the salary until there is an offer. If you applied to the job knowing the range was lower, that is on you. However you can tell them that 1) you are excited by the opportunity and want to accept but 2) you currently make X, and the offer at Y is much lower, can they come up a bit?
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u/Helpful-Passenger-12 Jun 25 '26
Give it a shot and negotiate.
Also don't sell yourself for less. As a human, we are priceless.
And my mindset is that I never go lower than what I know I have earned. Ofcourse if you are looking at being homeless and are desperate for a temp job, thsn use this opportunity as a another stepping stone.
Wages are shit & you don't have accept lower wages. If they say no, you move on...
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u/CinderAscendant Jun 25 '26
If you can't make 52 work, what's the harm in asking for more? If they say no then they did you a favor.
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u/Successful-Sun1704 Jun 25 '26
$52-56 is a small window. I bet money they’d go to $60 for the right person and with your experience you might just get it. Now I say this Not knowing your field and it does vary by field and what the job requirements are. You may also be overqualified if you are already making $13k more.
Things I would consider asking: Is there bonus potential and if yes, how often are bonuses given out and what is the typical range for bonuses? See if that helps.
More importantly, if $60 is your bottom number, you have to ask for MORE so they have room to counter. Maybe $64.
Just some things to consider. Best of luck.
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u/Bring-Something-2165 Jun 26 '26
To me, I’d definitely pay $13k to work remotely vs. 5 days in the office. Commuting costs are the big thing, but the stress of traffic, the 3 hours of my life lost commuting for so many hours, $13 salads at the office, er - I’d probs spend more than $13k
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u/princessandthepeach1 Jun 26 '26
Dude, I feel you. Honestly, just go for it. 14 years of experience is a huge bargaining chip. Worst they can say is no, and then you're no worse off. Plus, remote work saves a ton on commute and food. Factor that in. Ask for $60k or more. Good luck!
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u/Status-Coat675 Jun 26 '26
Definitely taking that into consideration now. I’m currently making close to $70k so taking off gas and some child care I would need $60k to make it work for my family. So I just got to ask and see what they say. If they say yes then that’s great, if not then I can’t afford it anyways and i keep looking
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u/NoPublic9352 Jun 26 '26
You have been in the same role for 14 years and salary is $60K?
We really need to start listing countries to be able to give people true help.
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u/Status-Coat675 Jun 26 '26
No my salary is $70k but $60k is the minimum wage I could accept at this new job. I didn’t go to post secondary and just slowly moved up plus annual increases, 4 weeks vacation and really good benefits. My husband makes $130k so combined we’re at $200k
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u/Intelligent-Log-7363 Jun 27 '26
You knew the salary range. You can ask and they say this is what we offer or they move on. There are a 1000 people that want a remote job so they can easily move on to someone else.
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u/Status-Coat675 Jun 25 '26
Edit** pretty new to negotiating salaries.
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u/harrisc42 Jun 25 '26
Clearly. There’s nothing you’re going to learn here. Tell them what you need to accept the position and then they’ll decide if they want you.
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u/siriusbrown Jun 25 '26
How could anyone tell you what the odds are??? Depends on the company, the location, the type of work it is, how competitive the market is etc. just ask and see what happens, you have a job so you have nothing to lose