Some days ago I was approached by a friend of mine who’s also got an advertising firm. We had some small projects together and I was offered a job as a web developer in his company. I do have my own small firm, but in the end some more money won’t hurt. Right?

So we met to discuss the conditions of my ‘employment’ and of course the price I am willing to work for. As you can imagine, after 6 years of doing this web design thing, having my own 24 sites and tens of others created for my clients, plus many clients at my door to work with them, my money request wasn’t too small.

I am already a specialist in this field and he knew that. This is the reason I was approached since he knew my portfolio and he needed my services. Still, when we started chatting he realized he cannot afford “hiring” me. He was willing to pay a way lower price for me to work on the firm and I wasn’t willing to work for pennies anymore.

3 years ago I worked for a design firm. I had only 3 years of experience, I was still a so-so designer. My own network was still small (6-7 sites instead of 24 as I own now) and of course my wage couldn’t be too big). Still, in all these years my experience grew exponentialy, I have worked on so many sites it just makes me sick and you can imagine now I know my value on the market.

Here are some small conclusions I drew, maybe they’ll help others too:

1. KNOW your value and be realistic. Don’t ask for a huge salary when you know you are less experienced, don’t sell your skin for less than it’s worth though.

2. Most possible employers would like to pay you as they pay the janitor and still expect huge results and a person with great experience. Yes, that’s how they are. Businessman who’d like to cut costs at your expense too. Very few realize your value and are willing to pay for it accordingly, most try to pay as little as possible.

3. Haggle as much as you can and push them to giving you more. If you are still willing to try and get a good salary from their claws, then haggle like crazy. Put down on the “table” all your achievements and try to obtain the most you can. Think this is your salary from now on, don’t settle for too little, it would be a pity.

4. If you don’t like the conditions, just go. There’s plenty of fish in the pond. I know you are desperate for that nice job, but sometimes a kick in the behind is a step forward. If you were already approached by a possible employer and the portfolio you have wasn’t ignored by them, then you can surely meet others and get the price you want for your time and expertise.

In the end we have to be pleased with the earnings and the employer should be pleased with the excellent person he has hired. If he wants to pay only janitor salaries, then let them have low quality employees and do business with such a team. If you know you are worth more, then go to another one. Some people do know your value and are willing to compensate you accordingly for the awesome job they know you can do.

Filed under: Painful business truths by ramona