I know that the usual advice is to try to always negotiate (respectfully) but should you do so if the offer is higher than the average?
Re: Negotiating your salary
If it's not strategic to ask for more, then don't do it for the sake of posturing. If you think they would be willing to pay you more or offer other benefits (and I think this may be a better way to negotiate for more), then do it.
Re: Negotiating your salary
How do you determine if it's appropriate? The only metric I have in mind is average salary for my profession, which are amongst the highest already, so I'm pretty satisfied. Negotiating for benefits seems like the better idea.
Re: Negotiating your salary
Negotiating for benefits is good because it demonstrates you get the "bigger" picture and it's not strictly about the money.
Weeks of vacation, matching contributions to your 401K, ability to work from home, the company paying for continuing education courses (some courses run in the thousands), working from home, getting time off in lieu of putting in extra hours, job advancement/professional development programs, salary increases (some people have it tied to meeting milestones).
You need to figure out what's important to you and what you need to discuss with them and what you need to negotiate with them.
Re: Negotiating your salary
Sounds good. I'll talk to my parents and friends as well but I know there are people on GS with a lot of experience so I thought I'd ask.
Thanks Sehrysh! :)
Re: Negotiating your salary
You're welcome.
Mind you, I'm not saying that you shouldn't ask for more money - but there's a right way and a wrong way to do so. You know your skill sets and how its valued. If you think another company will pay you more, then say so and explain how/why you think your skills are worth more.
My own personal opinion - if I was offered more than I expected, I'd say yes, but would ask about job development opportunities. You want to ensure that the employer is not just looking at you in the present, but in the future as well. If they give you what you want now pay over market, will they keep up with the market in the future or do they stagnate?