| Everybody likes a bargain. Especially during a tough | | | | where quality trumps price. |
| recession when money is tight, most people are thrilled | | | | The company wants to hire a quality candidate...they're |
| to find a good buy. | | | | not looking for the "bargain basement" option. |
| That said, there are times when price isn't your | | | | Say you love the organization and you're very |
| foremost consideration. | | | | interested in the job. It's paying 10% less than what you |
| Let's say you're purchasing a gift for some sort of | | | | were previously earning. Maybe you're at a point in |
| special occasion, like a favorite relative's college | | | | your career where salary is no longer your primary |
| graduation. This person is a book lover. You want to | | | | concern. Or you recognize that there is tremendous |
| present him with a special out-of-print volume he's had | | | | upside here in terms of career progression. (Or, let's |
| his eye on. It will be a meaningful memento of a special | | | | face it - maybe you just really, really need the job.) |
| day. You find a copy in good shape a consignment | | | | Whatever the case... |
| shop, and a beautiful, pristine, leather-bound edition with | | | | You would seriously consider the position in spite of |
| gilded pages at a specialty bookstore. | | | | the pay cut. All good. But money should be a |
| Which are you more likely to buy? | | | | secondary issue. Don't allow it to take center stage. |
| After inspecting both books, you find out that the | | | | Don't make the mistake of being so anxious to try to |
| leather-bound volume can be had at a special price. | | | | get the offer that the strongest, most compelling |
| That's an unexpected bonus. But it's not what drew | | | | message you send is "I'll work for peanuts." Or, "I'm |
| you to that book in the first place. | | | | cheap." Don't start talking about compensation - and |
| Right. | | | | what you're willing to give up - too soon. Establish |
| So - as the recession wears on, you might be willing to | | | | value first. |
| consider taking a cut in pay in order to secure a job. | | | | Think about context, and the difference between |
| That's fine. In fact, depending on the situation, it may be | | | | "cut-rate" and "excellent value." They conjure up two |
| a very good move. | | | | entirely different things, don't they? |
| But be careful how you go about it. This is a situation | | | | Sell quality. Not price. |