This is a real story that happened to my client.
And it can happen to you too.
They were being headhunted by another company
It was an exciting prospect.
However, the top end of their base salary range sat below what my client was currently earning.
There were some long-term benefits that were appealing, but the short-term gap needed addressing.
We made our terms very clear.
For my client to seriously consider the move, the company needed to at least match their current base salary.
Their response?
They said it simply was not possible, for a variety of reasons.
- It was above “market” rate.
- This was a unique opportunity.
- The board was firm on the salary range.
Ultimately, we decided there was not enough on the table to make the switch, and my client politely declined.
The company pushed harder.
Still, the gap was too great.
My client declined again, and respectfully walked away.
Then, suddenly, the company said they could match the salary.
Remember, this was an “impossible” ask just days before.
By this point, the trust was broken.
It is very hard to be told that your terms are unreasonable, only to be told later that they are, in fact, possible.
A deal is always possible.
But how you manage a deal says everything about your culture.
If you are headhunting (in any capacity), do not negotiate so aggressively that you give someone a reason not to work with you.
And if you are being headhunted, be very clear with yourself and with others about what you will accept and what you won’t accept (and hold firm).