Re: Posted Pay Ranges & Government Jobs

[eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com]

bounce-techwr-l-106467 -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com wrote on 12/01/2004 05:56:38 PM:
> this is, after all, a government gig, where "that's the 
> way we've always done it" is a pretty deeply entrenched rationale.

Not different from anywhere else that has a strong HR organisation that 
operates under the half-truth of "the same rules apply to everyone". They 
don't really and dozens of "special cases" and "exceptions" can usually be 
found with little to no effort. Unless it's a union shop and there really 
is no negotiation, but in that case you can ignore my last post and be 
content in the knowledge that the scale is governed in a tight and 
unwavering manner unlikely to reward performance of punish mediocrity, but 
guaranteed to allow everyone to advance at the same rate.

> They alluded that the person I'd be replacing had worked 
> her way into the upper portion of the scale, which was encouraging.

So if you're not above average right away, they should be able to say how 
you'll be measured against her past performance and how quickly you will 
be able to match (or exceed ) her pay.

> Also, I was one of six finalists chosen from the 160 who applied, 
another 
> encouraging sign (and another piece of artillery in my argument against 
an 
> "average" salary).

Heck, if those 160 applicants were the local competition that puts your 
worth well into the high top end of current market prices. Unless they're 
choosing you for your personality, charm, and drumming skills over you 
technical knowledge or writing prowess. ;)

What you need now is a feel for the competition. If equally qualified, how 
hungry are the other five? Can you judge if you're the first choice or are 
they playing the field of all six? They can't really, as if they make an 
offer and let you think about it, they can't rightly negotiate with anyone 
else. But, their perception of who was most desperate will have figured 
into their calculation of who would end up being best value for money.

Best of luck,

Eric L. Dunn
Senior Technical Writer

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