Hacker News Reader

> there seemed to be some resentment that I was "just in it for the money"

I don't know if I'd be able to keep a straight face if someone said that to me.

The HR rep pulled me into an impromptu meeting to find out what it would take to get me to stay. I told her I would need at least as much as the offer which was 40% more than my current salary. Her response was "do you think you are worth that?". I told her the other company thought so or they wouldn't have made the offer. Needless to say I didn't stay.

wow- that was a mean thing for her to say. I'm surprised you didn't respond more harshly.

I wouldn't even call that mean so much as incompetent and desperate.

I'd maybe try to explain a little that my salary is actually set through a competitive process of interviewing so it's not a number I personally have to have believe in or not, and then maybe touch on why her comments smell of desperation and why that's not a strong negotiating position.

That was a good lesson to learn that early.

Well, any company will get rid of you if it makes sense for their bottom line - which is pretty much the definition of "just in it for the money".

Employment is a business relationship and should be treated like that by both parties.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com