Show me the money – in my paycheck!

Here’s a question I received a couple of days ago:

“Dan – I work for a large corporation and have recently applied for a new position. The person in this position before me has the same credentials as I do and about the same experience. They have offered me the position for about $5,500.00 less than what was being paid to the previous person.  What do you think is the best way to handle this situation?”

 Here are some guidelines:

Pay is NOT based on:

• Your age
• Your previous salary (or the previous salary for the position)
• Your degrees
• Your work history
• The amount of your mortgage payment
• How long you’ve been unemployed
• Whether you’re married or single

The only criteria for determining your value is:

• Your unique value and level of responsibility

 The biggest mistake people make in negotiating salary is:

• To discuss it too soon

 Check sites like Salary.com to see a realistic range