Salary Negotiation / Cost of Living

  1. A salary range in a job posting is probably what they want to pay, not that they might pay more for the right person. I don’t think however you should overthink it an assume they are low-balling. It wouldn’t serve them well to post a salary too low as it wouldn’t get the talent they might need.

  2. As NURB said, if the offer is good, why ask for a tiny bit more just for the sake of asking?

  3. Your expenses are you problem. They could care less if you spend all your money on McDonald’s or crack and hookers as long as you do your job.

  4. If you have a firm offer, you can bring it up. If not, and not firm (ie. in writing) don’t bring it up as you could shoot yourself in the foot, and they might just say, “fine, go take that one”. You never know their position, if they have others already lined up, with offers, etc.

  5. Expenses-wise don’t forget the one that is usually a big factor for young designers - entertainment (ie. beer money). Probably as much as food :wink:

R