Should I let a Recruiter Negotiate My Salary?

[sdyson31]

I have been offered a job and company has offered me 2k more than it was advertised by recruiter but it is 2k less than what i am on now. Recruiter has mentioned to me that they can't match my current salary and what they have offered is more than they were paying to that guy who has recently left the company.

Recruiter did mention to me that there will be a room of salary negotiation before i applied but she didn't know about the exact figure.

Company knows about my current salary package and i am expecting them to match my current salary.

Should I let a recruiter negotiate my salary as i applied through her or i just send email to IT Manager?

Company has already interviewed few candidates and none of them made it to second stage. I was asked about my salary expectations during first interview and i said that we can negotiate it when company is willing to make an offer.

Edited by sdyson31 on Monday 30th June 10:19

[ChasW]

Difficult one. If on a straight commission it's in the recruiter's interests to place you at the highest salary possible. On the flip side they also want the deal done quickly so they get paid and move on to the next job. My preference is for dealing direct as at least you are in control and make your case. If you feel that the recruiter is on your side, has the right relationship with the employer and is a better negotiator than you then let them do it. I have started jobs at higher salaries than the recruiter first indicated and hired people for more that I told the recruiter I was willing to pay.

[sdyson31]

ChasW said:

Difficult one. If on a straight commission it's in the recruiter's interests to place you at the highest salary possible. On the flip side they also want the deal done quickly so they get paid and move on to the next job. My preference is for dealing direct as at least you are in control and make your case. If you feel that the recruiter is on your side, has the right relationship with the employer and is a better negotiator than you then let them do it. I have started jobs at higher salaries than the recruiter first indicated and hired people for more that I told the recruiter I was willing to pay.

I do trust recruiter but she is dealing with this company first time.

[ChasW]

How badly do you want the job and will other factors outweigh any salary reduction?

[sdyson31]

ChasW said:

How badly do you want the job and will other factors outweigh any salary reduction?

I will have to relocate with family and kids, and i won't move if salary is not same even though client is willing to review my salary in Jan next year which i don't think would be more than 3%.

[KingNothing]

I wouldn't trust a companies word of a pay review after x ammount of months, you'll either get it and it'll be a quick "No" or a token ammount, not taking you up to your expectations, or you won't get it at all, I was supposed to get a review after 6 months, then it turned to a year, by the end I think it was 18 months before I got it sorted. Most companies will say anything to get someone through the door.

[ChasW]

sdyson31 said:

ChasW said:

How badly do you want the job and will other factors outweigh any salary reduction?

I will have to relocate with family and kids, and i won't move if salary is not same even though client is willing to review my salary in Jan next year which i don't think would be more than 3%.

I was in a similar situation, albeit decades ago. I verbally accepted the job, with relocation, at a 25% increase. I then discovered that the higher housing costs would wipe out any increase in pay. It really took the shine off things and I agonised over what to do. In the end I bit the bullet and called the company to explain the numbers just did not stack up. To their credit they upped the package by 10% on the basis that they knew I wanted the job but did not want me demotivated and always worrying if I had made the right decision. I certainly would have found it difficult moving my family etc not being fully convinced myself that I had done the right thing. It turned out to be a good decision as I had 11 great years there.

[AyBee]

Probably easier to do it yourself, but if in doubt, let the recruiter know what you would move for. I wouldn't be taking a pay cut, especially if I had to move house, unless you're very keen on the new job. If money is a motivator to you, tell them what they need to pay to make you move and see where you get to.

[RichB]

sdyson31 said:

...Should I let a recruiter negotiate my salary as i applied through her or i just send email to IT Manager?

No, you will be best to pick up the phone and talk to the IT manger in person.

[T1berious]

A recruiter will never know your expected relocation costs \ on going costs as well as you do.

Plus, it's a role that's affecting your life, not the recruiters.

Have a look at like for like housing, travel and associated costs (Council Tax etc). do some sums and look at a figure you can comfortably live on with enough stashed for holidays and unexpected costs.

Sounds ridiculous but you'd be amazed how things add up.

You also need to factor in how far you are from your mates etc. You still have a life

[andy-xr]

But it was £2k more than advertised, and you knew that before going, so surely it's something that you'd have been aware of? If they can make up the difference in soft benefits, holiday, flexi working etc that would save you time, that might be a better angle to approach it from

[Pit Pony]

The recruiter is about to loose his commission if you don't take it. They were optimistic with you and persuaded you to apply, so let them work for their commission.