Dean Jones says:
"I just raised my offer. Why should I raise it further? You are a fresh Ph.D."
You say:
"Yes, and I appreciate your generous offer. Also, please know that there are very few people who, like me, are doing this highly-specialized research. We are, frankly, scarce. If you hire me, our university can become prominent in this area! Other faculty -- and their Deans -- will look up to our university. I truly believe that we can build something great here, if you are willing to take a chance and hire me."
Dean Jones says:
"I'll admit that does sound appealing...Let me look at my spreadsheet and budget...(he studies these while you sit silently)...
"OK, here's what I can do for you: I can raise the salary to the 65th percentile. I can also raise your software budget to $1,449 to facilitate your research."
Here is the contract package I'd like to offer you:
**ONE guaranteed trip to a conference each year for two years
**$1,449 for software to analyze data
**$15,000 for hardware (i.e., special computer processor and other equipment)
**A nine-month salary at the 65th percentile
**One graduate research assistant for Three calendar years; in return, you agree to apply for external funding and you agree to list our university as your co-affiliation on any already-started projects.
**Required to teach four summer sessions, none of which count toward your teaching load
**Five-day a week teaching schedule."
Your response:
1. That satisfies my main concerns. I accept your offer.
2. I was really thinking of a salary figure more like the 94th percentile.