How to ask or negotiate pay??

[MrsKarlieee]

I was contacted by a staffing agency for a open position and when desired salary came up I asked for at least $19 hrly. (LVN, only 2 months of exp) It is only 50cents more that what I'm making now at a per diem job through another staffing agency but the new job is literally within walking distance from my house.

Anyway I interviewed and was offered the job and the staffing agency told me I would get paid what I asked which is $19. However, I later saw and have been seeing that the same job is being advertised by multiple other staffing agencies with a higher compensation like $20-23 range. (The company is filling multiple openings) how do I go about asking about this. I am going to accept the offer regardless because I am taking what I can get at this point but if I can be offered more hourly why not right? I just need help putting it in the right words... Suggestions?? TIA

[WhoDatWhoDare, BSN, RN]

As I understand your post, you told them what YOU wanted ($19/hr) and they agreed. However, now after seeing other staffing agency job postings for the same type of job, you would like to get paid the higher $20-23/hr that the others are offering... Who wouldn't, right? I know I would.

In staffing jobs, the business that has an opening it needs filled will pay the agency a set amount per hour. Let's assume it's $25/hour. These agencies then find people to fill the vacancy and pocket the difference between what the employer is paying them and what they are paying you. This is how they make their money. Staffing Agency A can offer what it seems is more per hour than Staffing Agency B, but there could be a multitude of reasons why... some that come to mind are just the cost of business... maybe Agency A is a larger company and makes their money on volume versus Agency B that might be smaller and therefore trying to squeeze as much as they can out of every placement.

I think you may have a hard time convincing them that they should pay more when they are paying what you asked for as they may not have the flexibility, but you never know... just my 2 cents. That said, there's the old adage that the answer's always no if you don't ask.

Good luck,

Don

[MrsKarlieee]

Thanks for your response Don. I went ahead and just asked if the pay was negotiable due to the reasons I listed above(seeing it advertised for more by others). My staffing recruiter explained what you did regarding how they make their money and what the hiring company was willing to offer for my licensure/experience etc. Ultimately, they were able to offer me more. :)