Comment by mahmud | Hacker News Reader

Comment by mahmud | Hacker News Reader

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At a previous job, after an arduous interviewing process including programming tests, several interviews, background and credit checks, and finally my references being grilled over the phone, I made it to salary negotiation and I was too tired by then and didn't care if I got the job or not. So I asked for $X (in annual salary) the CEO misunderstood me and thought I wanted $X/hour. I signed the papers and was pulled into the balcony where hands were shaken and well deserved cigarettes were lit by all involved.

I didn't realize what happened until my girlfriend went over the papers (she was worried about the IP papers I might have signed, given my startup ambitions) but when we saw the figures ..

It was $55k in excess of what I thought I was worth. Pants. Shat.

That gave me some serious professional backbone; once you start to make serious money, you tend to respect your career a whole lot more. I was so proud of myself I took up management responsibilities, studied software engineering really well, took on more tasks. Sure, it made me a workaholic, but it drove the point home that what I do is serious business.

Great story, but do you really mean you got your annual salary per HOUR? Perhaps you meant per month? Still awesome, of course, but within the realm of reason :-)

My interpretation is, for example, he asked for "fifty-five" meaning "$55,000/year". They instead interpreted it as "$55/hour" which would work out to around $110,000/year assuming a standard 2,000 hours worked a year.

A: What compensation...blah blah blah?

B: 80 would be great.

$80k/yr -> $80/hr.

A serendipitous negotiation technique that not all witty and lucky interviewees would like to share. Great input, nonetheless. =)

Most negotiating techniques will work better when you're negotiating directly with the CEO, instead of HR or the hiring manager... :)

working only half-time (1000 hrs/year) at $80/hour would yield $80k/year. that would be a very decent lifestyle in the US.

There are about 2000 work hours in a year, give or take, so I'm assuming he said something like "55" meaning $55,000/yr but the CEO heard $55/hr which would be more like $110,000/yr.

Looks like MrFoof and erlanger posted at the same moment so I'll reply to myself. Your explanation makes complete sense. Thanks!

It would be interesting to use this in reverse: claim that you meant hourly rate when discussing salary. "Oh, you thought I meant $100k? No, no, I make $100 per hour now so double that for the salary level I'm at."

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