Thread by @greaterbayo

No One Gets Paid What They Deserve (Excerpts From A Chapter In 30 Career Lessons I Learnt Along The Way)

The first offer might not be the best offer. I learnt this lesson in 2007, when I had completed a series of interviews with a prospective employer.

First, I had sat for an aptitude test and faced a panel interview. These were followed by several phone discussions and I was finally offered a salary.

Truth be told, I would have worked for next to nothing at that organization because it was my dream job.

Just the name of the bank on my resume would paint my profile in an exquisite colour. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.

This was why the first offer that the HR lady made to me over the phone was
attractive.

It was better than what I was being paid at the time and I almost jumped at it. For some reason, however, I decided to negotiate. I told her that I already espoused the value that the new organization needed and ought to be paid based on that.

We went back and forth for the next three days. Eventually, the pay was significantly increased and I accepted the offer.

It was when I resumed at the new place of work that I discovered that there were many people on the same level earning different salaries.

There were even some junior officers who earned more than their hierarchy. In short, the pay was based on the ability to negotiate.

But this is not only limited to salary. In 2002, I was interviewed by a panel which consisted of the managing director of the organization (an Indian national), an executive director, a general manager and the head of human resources.

As a new branch of the bank was about to open in Ibadan, so many candidates were interviewed on that day.

I was interviewed for a sales role and when asked for the grade level that I wanted, I mentioned a step higher than what I should have asked for.

Now, prior to this, I only had about two years of banking experience. Also, because some part of this period was spent in operations/back office, I had not been involved in sales for more than a year.

I recall that I was almost out of the room because of my audacity but the managing director intervened. What I asked for would ordinarily take people about five years from entry level with consistent promotion to get to and it was two steps higher than my grade at the time!

When I was asked why I insisted on the role, I spoke about the value that I would bring. I told them that I knew Ibadan like the back of my hand and that I had key contacts which could impact our business development.

I still remember the look on the face of the managing director when he told me that he would ask for the last time if I would be willing to take a lower offer.

I was about to change my mind at this point; after all, accepting it would still have been a promotion for me.

However, before I could say anything, the general manager stretched his leg under the oval table and pressed my left foot very firmly. As I winced in pain, I looked at him and saw him slightly shake his head. It was a pointer that I should not budge.

So with a smile on my face, I respectfully rejected the offer and insisted humbly that getting my preferred offer would be a major motivation to work hard.

Just like that, the MD waved away the executive director who had just declared that the interview was over.

He then went on to tell me that he would give me what I wanted but I should be ready to roll up my sleeves and work as he would not hesitate to hire me if I fell short of my sales commitment. All the candidates in the waiting room crowded around me when I got out.

They couldn't understand why I was with the panel for an hour when others spent barely ten minutes.

I have seen this scenario play out a couple of times in my career. No one gets paid what they deserve; they get paid what they negotiate. You must therefore hone your negotiation skills.

During an interview, always have the amount that you want to earn at the back of your mind. Otherwise, you will be at the mercy of the interviewer.
You must have done your research on the pay structure of the organization

and compare with the industry so you're prepared.

Once you get to the level where you are asked what you want to earn, be free to offer a figure. I personally think it is unwise to tell the interviewer that they should pay you based on their pay structure, especially when you're an experienced hire.

The fact is that many people are afraid to negotiate. You can conquer that fear by understanding what you are bringing to the table. Be able to communicate this value in vivid terms.

Break it down in such a way that the interviewer will understand that you are the indisputable candidate for the role...

To read the full chapter, order a copy of the book by sending a DM to @Rovingheights . They deliver nationwide.

#30CareerLessonsILearntAlongTheWay

It's also available on Amazon.
amazon.com/Career-Lessons…