Can anyone give me advice re: salary negotiations when offered a job?

Question

I haven't actually been offered the job, but I want to be prepared for what might be a difficult situation if I am.

I've done the 1st and 2nd interviews and I should be hearing back today or early next week. When they asked me my salary requirements it looked as though they were hoping to pay me a less than I'd like. If I were to be offered the job, how would I go about negotiating?

I hate talking money, but I really think they should understand that it would be difficult for me to leave my current job for what would amount to a bit less money (although the base salary would be higher, my current job pays a lot in bonuses) considering that I am not changing industry or job type.

What could I do about this? I really do want this job but I have to be responsible about my finances too.

dadn33, that's a really good point- what I forgot to mention is that it would also be going from a permanent contract to a fixed term. And although my current job prospects are crap, at least it's stable. Prospects would be better at this company, but that's only assuming they renew my contract or made me permanent at some point. So it's a risk.

Answer 1

Its quite simple: less money AND a fixed term contract? Thats a double neg! Whats the benefit? I know you say better prospects but unless you get these formalised in writing you're in a losing position. Otherwise IGNORE what they're saying about prospects - who knows what else may change mean time?

Keep focussing on the money and YOUR value, achievments, responsibilities qualities you WILL bring to the role. Sell yourself!

As I say keep away from the prospects discussion. They want results immediately right? Well so do you!

There are of course other factors involved here, like your age.

I once read that the easiest way to increase your salary is by changing jobs. So don't compromise on the cash at this time or you'll regret it.

It'll be a good to have a "story" or USP as to why you ARE the one to employ - just make sure its strong and inline with their needs.

Good luck

Answer 2

I am in a similar situation and I have the following things in mind, some from experience and some from advise.

- You don´t change for the same money-package. Even if you are desperate. You have to have a plus in your monthly pay to feel you are progressing. An agent told me that (good) agents never suggest a move without raise, its a motivation thing.

- In my mind i try to keep in mind that the salary i am earning is already underpaid, as i am "earning" the right to promote through experience. The company will pay me the same until the next revision, but in the meantime i am better doing my job and eventually earning the right to a bonus. If I change job, the company taking me in should appreciate that.

- If there are short term promises such as a quick promotion or being likely to be first in the line for the next round of promotions. This should be explicit and in writing, not just words. i.e. next salary review in .... , and the position should clearly reflect to everybody in the team where you stand and where are you going.

- This was against friends advise, but being currently relatively well paid, i tend to disclose openly how much i earn and leave to the employers to come up with the offer. I reckon that it might be a bad tactic, but given that the market is very transparent in my area, it is assumed that my next step would be between 10 and 20% more. My friends recommend asking for 20% and negotiating down... i guess that it works for most people like that.

- Benefits are important, opportunities also, but never underestimate the good old salary. In my case, benefits were later on "switched" to other "similar" but not so good (healthcare), opportunities were not so clear, training was not so accessible.


- Travel and commuting are key, both can become the principal source of misery after a few months. Even travel that may seem interesting soon kills your social life and drains your energy so you are zombi on the weekends until sunday evening when you have the stress to prepare the luggage for the early monday or late sunday flight. Ponder your tolerance to that, and speak with a friend that is similar to you and has similar commuting-travel profile. Make the company pay for having you traveling around.

Good luck!!

Answer 3

First of all make sure you decide in advance the minimum salary you will be HAPPY with - there is no point in starting a new job and being resentful about your pay from day one. Then decide if that is a fair and realistic salary - most companies would expect you to increase your overall annual salary when you change position, so don't be shy in saying so.

During the negotiation be firm but professional - explain your position and be prepared to listen to theirs - if you accept the job this is the start of something so you need to maintain a positive relationship.

And then, once you're sure that they have come to a final offer - is it above the minimum you decided was acceptable, if so take the job. If not then turn it down (with an explanation - they may revise their offer !).

Good luck x

Answer 4

Stick to your guns hun!!!

When I applied for my current job, they rang me offered me the job. I asked how well I had done at interview and how they scored candidates and found out a bit of info to then use as ammunition. I was told that I had scored very highly and had made a very good impression on the panel of interviewers. They offered me the job I had applied for at the same money as what I was then currently earning. I stuck my neck on the line and said that the same pay is not enough for me to leave my current job and would seriously have to consider changing employment. They then asked if they could ring me back. Within 5 minutes (the longest five minutes ever!!!) they rang me back and offered me £1,500 more than the original, with the view to increase at appraisals.
The job that I was applying for had much better hols, travel expenses, etc than what my old job was, so accepting at the same wage would have been great for me, but I thought I had a strong position and it paid off.

I guess you need to think about why you are applying for a new job, is it for job satisfaction or just a change. Is it something you really want to do or is it something that cropped up? Inevitabley your own feelings towards a job will help you decide what to do.

It can work to ask for more, but you need to know your position before you start bargaining, otherwise it could all go terribly wrong!

Good luck!!!

Answer 5

It sounds as tho' you are ready for a change, so find out the rate for the job, explain just what you have told us on your question and I believe they will respect the very fact that you are being responsible. A calculated risk is no bad thing, and from what you say,you may be prepared to accept the job given that you would have better prospects for the future. One way to look at it is that you having nothing at the moment to lose, and can afford to negotiate sensibly. I think, speaking from experience, that if a company are not prepared to pay well, other disadvantages to the job usually appear. Go with your gut instinct and advice from friends etc. Good luck, I would employ you!!

Answer 6

An interesting problem. My first concern is the contract basis, I would question their motivations early in the negotiations. If they are professional they will have a response however it is likely their motivation will be to provide the opportunity to crop and turnover staff without the expense of redundancy. Alternatively they may wish to use the pressure of securing a permenant contract as method of improving your performance, with a view that this will become habitual to you. Questioning their motivations (professionally) early will swing the balance of power toward yourself as they will be aware that your acceptance will considerably reduce your security, if this does not concern them then this is not a good sign.

I would then raise the issue of renumeration, you are right not to want to take less money. Approach the subject by explaining your motivation for seeking new employment was to improve your financial standing. You are being reasonable if they tell you otherwise be concerned, they may suggest that you have better prospects for advancement but you may counter such argument by the reduced security of the contractual terms. A solution may be to include a term within the contract to indicate an agreeable salary increase (including a time period).

Having CIPD HR qualifications I would suggest this first. You seem to have a secure job already. Have you talked with your line manager about your desires for progression? Maybe the prospects are better than you thought?

Answer 7

First and most important point - you go to work to earn money. If you had won the lottery, you probably wouldn't go to work, would you, so remember that MONEY is the motivator here.
Also, remember that the interview process is a two-way thing - they're interviewing to see if you are suitable for the job and you are interviewing THEM to find out if they are a suitable employer.
Hold your ground and ask for the same, if not more, money - ask with a smile on your face. You'd be surprised at the response.
Also, a tip for the future - if your employer compliments you on a job well done then turn round (big smile on the face) and say, "if I'm so good, why aren't I rich?". I got three major pay rises that way!!
It does pay to be a little assertive in these matters - generally if you ask for more you will get more.
Good luck!

Answer 8

Princess... you know how much you earn per annum now, you know how much you need to live and have some disposable income, you maybe have an understanding how much the job is worth and what the new employer may be willing to pay... so.
Don't undervalue yourself or leave your job unless you are satisfied with what you want/need to live reasonably.
Don't overvalue yourself to your new employer
Based upon the above... reach an annual salary and add 10% (so when they ask if you will consider less for the first three months trial period... you can say... everything is negotiable)
If they are not willing to pay you your valuation of your services to them... don't take the job, you wouldn't be happy anyway.

Answer 9

I'd find out what they're offering to pay first and then you've got a ballpark figure to negotiate extra's.

I work in Executive Recruitment and loads of people go for less money because the benefits make up for it or the prospects are better.

Sometimes you have to take a sidewards step to get where you want.

Answer 10

They are obviously intersested in you, but if you don't feel you can push it further I suggest taking the 30%, with a review after 3 then 6 months depending on your performance. And if you can get any little bonus or incentive schemes thrown in to your contract go for it. 30% is a fair sized increase in anyones salary. Most people only get a 2% or 3% annual rise. Softly, softly, catchy monkey (no what I mean!). Good luck.