Cheeky to ask for higher salary?

[Otispunkmeyer]

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 bd). 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

[Otispunkmeyer]

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.

[Otispunkmeyer]

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.

[Otispunkmeyer]

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.

[Otispunkmeyer]

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.

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.