Read the whole thread and and the last post says what I would have said. Only thing I would add is to ask what the full remuneration package is, ie salary, bonus, overtime rate etc etc.
[Help] How do negotiate a job offer salary?
- Thread starter spongy
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Read the whole thread and and the last post says what I would have said. Only thing I would add is to ask what the full remuneration package is, ie salary, bonus, overtime rate etc etc.
Definitely don’t lie about it as if you joined they’ll see your P45 so won’t be a good start, just be honest with what you earned last year overall and say you’d like a small increase to change job because of stagnant pay reviews or something where you are.
Dorset Seagull
Once Dolphin, Now Seagull
Sometimes is can take weeks for them to set up interviews etc. However you cant rule out the possibility that their original first choice has decided not to take the job hence the call to you 6 weeks later. This would put you in a much stronger position if you feel that could have happened in this instance. They wont want to go through the whole recruitment process again for the sake of a few grand on a salary of a good candidate they are in negotiations with.
The last time I moved employer, I didn't have all of the experience they were after, so agreed that I would start at the bottom of the scale and get a pay rise of 'x' upon successful completion of my probation period.
Worth asking, if they want you at the bottom of the scale.
Worth asking, if they want you at the bottom of the scale.
I have done this in the past and it can work well, BUT get it in writing . . . I made that mistake about 17 years ago, accepted the starting offer (£26k) with a raise to what I wanted (£28k) after 3-6 months . . . .the boss was bullshitting me, I went round him eventually and ruined the relationship, but his boss gave me £30k.
a good win but a minor loss. . . the guy was a self serving tosspot anyway.
- Jul 10, 2003
- 27,778
This is a good point.
I always found that when recruiting, I was quite happy to go back and forth on negotiations at the point of recruitment, (and a review period leading to a pay rise as part of the offer is a good idea). What you do not want to do is undersell yourself and then moan a few months later that you are being underpaid, as they will not be receptive to re-negotiating at that point.
Good Luck
First of all well done you for getting off your ass and grabbing an opportunity.
1) You have fantastic leverage here, if you don’t like their offer? You already have a job to fall back on. That takes huge pressure off any further negotiations.
2) make clear that you won’t be motivated to take a new job for essentially the same money. You’d hope for an increase. If they check your salary and see what you made, make clear that was your base salary but you regularly worked overtime so it doesn’t reflect your true yearly taking
3) I’d echo what someone else said (suprised not many picked up on this). But do be cautious and do thorough investigation on this company, and if you can speak to anyone there do so.
In normal times you can be a bit more care free, but you’re leaving a secure job I presume. When you start a new job you’ll have less job protection initially, and have a probation period. It’s only a slight concern, but I’m raising here due to the strange uncertain times we’re in and I don’t know your personal situation. This is your call.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
1) You have fantastic leverage here, if you don’t like their offer? You already have a job to fall back on. That takes huge pressure off any further negotiations.
2) make clear that you won’t be motivated to take a new job for essentially the same money. You’d hope for an increase. If they check your salary and see what you made, make clear that was your base salary but you regularly worked overtime so it doesn’t reflect your true yearly taking
3) I’d echo what someone else said (suprised not many picked up on this). But do be cautious and do thorough investigation on this company, and if you can speak to anyone there do so.
In normal times you can be a bit more care free, but you’re leaving a secure job I presume. When you start a new job you’ll have less job protection initially, and have a probation period. It’s only a slight concern, but I’m raising here due to the strange uncertain times we’re in and I don’t know your personal situation. This is your call.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Weststander
Well-known member
This.
Whilst not labouring the point or conversation about money. At this time of mass redundancies, you want them to keep wanting you.
On a separate point regarding future job security for you, are they a strong multinational that’ll be staying in your neck of the woods (google them)? If they’re smaller than that, check out their last accounts to look at their balance sheet/statement of financial position. Although always out of date, it’s far better than nothing.
https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/
Good luck.
Weststander
Well-known member
.....
Spongy you have invested a huge amount of committment in your career and this looks like a good opportunity to move up the career ladder. Employers generally don't want candidates who can already do everything in a job, those people may not challenge themselves.
My advice would be don't be in any hurry to get onto the subject of salary, for example if there is no overtime on this grade and an expectation that it will be worked, you will gain little. If it comes up, my simple response is that you would like to see the whole package, before making any decision, but are looking for a salary in the region (35-38k wouldn't be unreasonable to ask).
Check pensions, check overtime expectations, check holiday entitlement, check travelling times and distances, ask about training and opportunities to progress in the company. Ask how they are doing in the current climate (probably okay if they are recruiting), ask why they are recruiting?
Good Luck
spongy
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #31
Thanks for all the replies everyone, its all really helpful stuff. 
As long as I get the follow up call of an offer that is, I may well be jumping the gun here and its all a pointless exercise.
I've spent hours on their website researching them, what they do, where they're aiming to go etc and I really like the look of it.
I found them on companies house and they've been around for a while now. I've checked their accounts and they look profitable but I don't really know what I'm looking at to be honest.
They make radiant heating systems for large buildings such as factories, plants, aircraft hangers etc.
They're pushing new technologies and have worldwide patents on their systems and tech.
Sounds really interesting and cheaper, more efficient green energy is only going to grow as a market. Saving the world is all the rage at the moment.
As long as I get the follow up call of an offer that is, I may well be jumping the gun here and its all a pointless exercise.
I've spent hours on their website researching them, what they do, where they're aiming to go etc and I really like the look of it.
I found them on companies house and they've been around for a while now. I've checked their accounts and they look profitable but I don't really know what I'm looking at to be honest.
They make radiant heating systems for large buildings such as factories, plants, aircraft hangers etc.
They're pushing new technologies and have worldwide patents on their systems and tech.
Sounds really interesting and cheaper, more efficient green energy is only going to grow as a market. Saving the world is all the rage at the moment.
These are a good argument. You could say I've been earning up to £40k with OT and know my basic is well below where it should be.
When quoting engines for people I used to sell myself short, sometimes it works against you, better to quote with a good margin and give yourself breathing space to accomodate everything and be safe in doping so.
TWOCHOICEStom
Well-known member
They're not putting 38k on anything unless they have at least that in their budget.
A colleague of mine gave me a great piece of advice once:
You get to negotiate your salary ONCE. If you have to be uncomfortable for a few seconds in a conversation it can make a world of difference to you for years to come.
Tell them you'll only take the job if they pay you that 38k. Go for it!
A colleague of mine gave me a great piece of advice once:
You get to negotiate your salary ONCE. If you have to be uncomfortable for a few seconds in a conversation it can make a world of difference to you for years to come.
Tell them you'll only take the job if they pay you that 38k. Go for it!
Tokyohands
Well-known member
The sentiment here is correct but from personal experience I would disagree. They are more likely to ask what you expect so you won't be in a position to lie but if they do ask you directly, do not tell them honestly what your base salary is. By all means tell them what you made overall but avoid volunteering too much information such as breaking it down into your base salary + overtime etc. If they probe that with further questions to you, personally, I would embellish the truth but first you do need to determine how many hours you're required to work to achieve around the figure they've advertised.
You mentioned you could do the job easily so why should you settle for much less than their advertised max? You won't be the first nor the last person to bump yourself. I got asked directly the last time I went through the process and ended up with a significantly higher starting salary. 12 years later I'm still here and making much more than what I started on, so if you know you can do the job be ballsy and good luck!
Oh I agree - they'll only really see the overall number anyway so just stick to that
Thanks for all the replies everyone, its all really helpful stuff.
As long as I get the follow up call of an offer that is, I may well be jumping the gun here and its all a pointless exercise.
I've spent hours on their website researching them, what they do, where they're aiming to go etc and I really like the look of it.
I found them on companies house and they've been around for a while now. I've checked their accounts and they look profitable but I don't really know what I'm looking at to be honest.
They make radiant heating systems for large buildings such as factories, plants, aircraft hangers etc.
They're pushing new technologies and have worldwide patents on their systems and tech.
Sounds really interesting and cheaper, more efficient green energy is only going to grow as a market. Saving the world is all the rage at the moment.
From somebody who has worked in recruitment for 13 years and owned a recruitment company for 4, definitely definitely definitely go in at £38K. I wouldn't even make it a conversation, and if they offer lower I'd act extremely surprised, and say you need some time to think about it. Hiring people is a massive pain in the arse, if they think you are the solution to their problem, then a grand or two here or there is worth them spending, rather than having to go back to the drawing board again.
You need to remember that an extra £1000 for you now is not just £1000. It should be an extra £1000 a year for every promotion / job move you make again in your life. For the sake of a couple of awkward conversations, if you can get £38K instead of £36K, that's an extra £20K over the next ten years. £40K over the next twenty. Each time you move up the ladder or change jobs, the pay increase you will get will be potentially higher than it would have been if you'd have accepted £36K.
In short, a couple of extra grand a year now could be worth upwards of £50K by the time you retire (depending on how old you are, obviously). I'm sure your mortgage would look very different with an extra £50K paid off. Think of it like that!
Great advice. Don’t lie but you don’t have to tell the entire truth. Something like “last year I earned around £40k incl a bit of O/T so I obviously couldn’t afford to take a pay cut. Also my salary is due to be reviewed in Jan and my boss has indicated that I should expect a decent increase”.
Then SHUT UP. Even if it leaves an uncomfortable silence wait for their reply. And stay SHUT Up until they have finished. If it’s not what you wanted to hear say you’re a little disappointed given the salary advertised and that it’s a role you were interested in.
Remember, you might not have the exact skills they are looking for (who has?) but you can learn and have lots of other skills and experience than will benefit them
Good luck
This. I've learnt in life that you don't lose any respect at all if you act in a nice, decent but forceful way. You could lose respect if you come across as too nice and forgiving, get fobbed off (in the business world, that is).
jonnyrovers
mostly tinpot
This is an excellent point. I start a new job in three weeks. After the salary conversation (I got what I asked for) my new boss said 'If I'd offered you less than you wanted I'd be at risk of not getting the best you have to offer'.