Cheeky to ask for higher salary?
Discussion
Just landed a new job which I am very happy about seeing as I have been unemployed for nearly 3 months.
At interview, they asked what my salary expectations where and I told them, perhaps (no definitely) incorrectly, that my last job was X and preferably I would like the salary to be above this. (I know, in hindsight I said all the wrong stuff, I am not good at this part of proceedings, I just hate feeling like I am being a cheeky b
d). They've offered bang on X. So no movement.
OH is egging me on to go back to them to ask for higher start. I feel uncomfortable with that for some reason. Plus I realise I have less legs to stand on, currently earning as I do, £0. The lower and upper bounds to the job advert were X +/- 5K.
I guess if you don't ask you don't get? How do I phrase it to look the least gitish?
I don't want to ruffle feathers or try call their bluff because I actually really want to work there! But I am disappointed with the offer.
At interview, they asked what my salary expectations where and I told them, perhaps (no definitely) incorrectly, that my last job was X and preferably I would like the salary to be above this. (I know, in hindsight I said all the wrong stuff, I am not good at this part of proceedings, I just hate feeling like I am being a cheeky b
d). They've offered bang on X. So no movement.OH is egging me on to go back to them to ask for higher start. I feel uncomfortable with that for some reason. Plus I realise I have less legs to stand on, currently earning as I do, £0. The lower and upper bounds to the job advert were X +/- 5K.
I guess if you don't ask you don't get? How do I phrase it to look the least gitish?
I don't want to ruffle feathers or try call their bluff because I actually really want to work there! But I am disappointed with the offer.
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Monday 23 January 19:52
If you haven't accepted their offer yet then no problem asking for more, normally the worst that'll happen is they'll say no and you'll still have the job offer.
My current job I turned down 3 offers and got almost what I wanted but I did have the luxury of already having a decent job.
No harm in trying, might be better to put the feelers out on the phone and try to get a feeling for which way it'll go before you put it in writing.
My current job I turned down 3 offers and got almost what I wanted but I did have the luxury of already having a decent job.
No harm in trying, might be better to put the feelers out on the phone and try to get a feeling for which way it'll go before you put it in writing.
Otispunkmeyer said:
Thanks for the input.
My main gripe really is that it represents no progress. I've been on much the same money for the past two years. I'd really like to start going upwards. I just don't know how.
To re phrase the above.....My main gripe really is that it represents no progress. I've been on much the same money for the past two years. I'd really like to start going upwards. I just don't know how.
"I had been on much the same money for 21 months, the last 3 months I have not been earning any money"
Not sure what line of work or if there is an abundance of opportunities, but if I had been / was out of work for 3 months I would be jumping to take a job paying the same money I had been on (irrelevant on the previous 2 years)
Always easier to get another job when you are in employment, if you are confident they will up their offer or you are not concerned about missing this opportunity the go for asking for a higher salary.
I know what I would be doing.
Good luck with whatever way you go.
21TonyK said:
Take the job with an agreed salary review at six months?
This is probably the best option. Or even ask for a review in 3 months. Basically offer to first prove your worth. If you do well at the job then they should gladly give you the raise. If not then maybe its not such a great place to be working long term anyway?
As others have said its also easier to get a job whilst employed.
So this new job could simply be a stepping stone.
Take it, review with them in a reasonable period of time whereby you have demonstrated your worth to them.
If they are unwilling to pay you more, simply look for a job elsewhere comfortable in the knowledge your paying your bills.
So this new job could simply be a stepping stone.
Take it, review with them in a reasonable period of time whereby you have demonstrated your worth to them.
If they are unwilling to pay you more, simply look for a job elsewhere comfortable in the knowledge your paying your bills.
Firstly, I don't know many organisations that will sign up to a salary review after 3/6 months.... Anything much larger than George and his brother Frank working out of their lockup will no doubt be tied into a yearly pay review cycle unless there are exceptional circumstances such as you having ultra niche skills.
Secondly, I've always been of the view you make your peace with salary when you walk in the door. You can't keep thinking about it or even consider comparing yourself to colleagues as it only leads one of two ways. You leaving filled with frustration, or you staying, and becoming a dark twisted soul who is that joyous office sea of negativity.
I think you need to tackle it head on and politely go back and explain you were expecting the salary to be in excess of that number, and closer to the top end of the band. Explain you are keen to join the organisation, etc etc.
If that doesn't work, ask them about the rest of the package, are there some courses you can get booked onto, something to gain some value your side.
Secondly, I've always been of the view you make your peace with salary when you walk in the door. You can't keep thinking about it or even consider comparing yourself to colleagues as it only leads one of two ways. You leaving filled with frustration, or you staying, and becoming a dark twisted soul who is that joyous office sea of negativity.
I think you need to tackle it head on and politely go back and explain you were expecting the salary to be in excess of that number, and closer to the top end of the band. Explain you are keen to join the organisation, etc etc.
If that doesn't work, ask them about the rest of the package, are there some courses you can get booked onto, something to gain some value your side.
conanius said:
Firstly, I don't know many organisations that will sign up to a salary review after 3/6 months.... Anything much larger than George and his brother Frank working out of their lockup will no doubt be tied into a yearly pay review cycle unless there are exceptional circumstances such as you having ultra niche skills..
Worked for me and that was within Local Government so I doubt you will find a more dogmatic employer! Got a 6 month review with a 10% increase and moved to top of scale at 12 months. All agreed at interview.What I do is certainly not niche but I did have a pretty unique skills set which met their precise needs (or at least I convinced them they needed my skills but the end of the interview!)
Thanks for the advice chaps.
Still mulling it over. As I sit now I am not entirely convinced I can put forward a winning case for higher salary right now. Aside from I was hoping for higher, I'm really good you know
.
I think taking it from their PoV, whilst I have exactly the skill set they want, I don't necessarily have the exact experience of their type of work. Arguably all my skills are transferable and I anticipate getting into the role very quickly. But essentially, not as yet proven.
Therefore it might be an idea to propose the review at the end of probationary period route. They're only a small consulting co, so not sure if that would be possible.
Other option is to just accept the salary as is now without mentioning anything. But over the next year be sure to build a genuinely good case for being paid a bit more. That way I have directly relatable proof to show them why and not the tentative, intangible feeling proof I have now.
Still, can it hurt to say everything with the contract is good except I was expecting a little higher on the salary, can anything be done? I don't know how well that would go down.
Still mulling it over. As I sit now I am not entirely convinced I can put forward a winning case for higher salary right now. Aside from I was hoping for higher, I'm really good you know
.I think taking it from their PoV, whilst I have exactly the skill set they want, I don't necessarily have the exact experience of their type of work. Arguably all my skills are transferable and I anticipate getting into the role very quickly. But essentially, not as yet proven.
Therefore it might be an idea to propose the review at the end of probationary period route. They're only a small consulting co, so not sure if that would be possible.
Other option is to just accept the salary as is now without mentioning anything. But over the next year be sure to build a genuinely good case for being paid a bit more. That way I have directly relatable proof to show them why and not the tentative, intangible feeling proof I have now.
Still, can it hurt to say everything with the contract is good except I was expecting a little higher on the salary, can anything be done? I don't know how well that would go down.
conanius said:
Firstly, I don't know many organisations that will sign up to a salary review after 3/6 months.... Anything much larger than George and his brother Frank working out of their lockup will no doubt be tied into a yearly pay review cycle unless there are exceptional circumstances such as you having ultra niche skills.
Secondly, I've always been of the view you make your peace with salary when you walk in the door. You can't keep thinking about it or even consider comparing yourself to colleagues as it only leads one of two ways. You leaving filled with frustration, or you staying, and becoming a dark twisted soul who is that joyous office sea of negativity.
I think you need to tackle it head on and politely go back and explain you were expecting the salary to be in excess of that number, and closer to the top end of the band. Explain you are keen to join the organisation, etc etc.
If that doesn't work, ask them about the rest of the package, are there some courses you can get booked onto, something to gain some value your side.
On the contrary this is common compromise position. Applicant asks for more than offered, preferrably with decent justification as you outline, but the employer won't budge. Mid term review gives new employee an incentive to prove themselves and employer's risk of a poor decision on starting salary is mitigated. Win/Win Secondly, I've always been of the view you make your peace with salary when you walk in the door. You can't keep thinking about it or even consider comparing yourself to colleagues as it only leads one of two ways. You leaving filled with frustration, or you staying, and becoming a dark twisted soul who is that joyous office sea of negativity.
I think you need to tackle it head on and politely go back and explain you were expecting the salary to be in excess of that number, and closer to the top end of the band. Explain you are keen to join the organisation, etc etc.
If that doesn't work, ask them about the rest of the package, are there some courses you can get booked onto, something to gain some value your side.
Otispunkmeyer said:
Jasandjules said:
Just say you were hoping for a little more money as you believe your skills and experience justify it but will they agree to a pay review in six months once you've shown your worth....
Sounds straight forward in approach. Thank you. 21TonyK said:
J&J do you agree it is worth getting the review(s) put into the letter of offer? I did with mine knowing that if I didn't it would be pushed to the bottom of the pile.
It's a yes and no situation. Do you really want to work for an employer who fails to offer the review as agreed...... and do you want to push for it when you've only been there six months and can be terminated for no reason.............You could simply, once they agree, send an email to the firm's HR or recruitment consultant thanking them for agreeing to this.... Then I suppose you could, after six months, just ask nicely when your review will be............It would also be wise to get some targets (which you can achieve quickly) set in place fairly early IMHO so you can hit them and note them when seeking the review...
I'm just surprised that you've got what seems like powertrain and alternative fuels experience and you've been out of work for so long!
What area of the country are you looking? If you're willing to be around Milton Keynes/Bedford/Northampton then there always seems to be loads of openings at Mahle, Millbrook, Integral Powertrain, and Intertek.
What area of the country are you looking? If you're willing to be around Milton Keynes/Bedford/Northampton then there always seems to be loads of openings at Mahle, Millbrook, Integral Powertrain, and Intertek.
blank said:
I'm just surprised that you've got what seems like powertrain and alternative fuels experience and you've been out of work for so long!
What area of the country are you looking? If you're willing to be around Milton Keynes/Bedford/Northampton then there always seems to be loads of openings at Mahle, Millbrook, Integral Powertrain, and Intertek.
I'm totally in the wrong part of the country I think. I could have been working at JLR or for Tata Controls people. When I finished my PhD I got offered a role at Illmore but the commute just didn't work. I'm in Nottingham and the commute would be murder for JLR places like Gaydon. Bought a house and the OH has a great job close by so moving now is a bit problematic. In a few years maybe.What area of the country are you looking? If you're willing to be around Milton Keynes/Bedford/Northampton then there always seems to be loads of openings at Mahle, Millbrook, Integral Powertrain, and Intertek.
I have to say though I'm not really one for sitting at a test bed doing calibration work. I've done it and understand how it's done and how they do it with model based control, but can't say it's something I'd want to do as a full time job. Perhaps the modelling side maybe.
My old role gave me a good taste of a lot of things. Calibration, ECU development and code writing, running test beds, doing exploratory tests as well as standard stuff like 13 modes, WHTCs etc. After sitting in a truck cab for months on a chassis dyno I was ready to hang myself lol...novelty wore off quickly on that one. The stuff I liked the most was the modelling, data work and reporting. That's what this new role offers albeit more focused on getting alternative fuels and EVs into fleets. Bit of research work thrown in as well which suits my background.
So no real engineering, which is a shame I think. But hey ho. It's still involved with automotive world though and that's good.
I did have an interview with JCB but they must have hated me as after a 2.5 hour interview I never heard off them again. I even tried to follow up!
Tried RR as well but can never tell if they're getting rid of people or hiring. Conflicting info from people who work there. I never get very far on their online application process. Likely due to lack of specific experience in aeronautical.
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