job offer and how to negotiate final salary
Discussion
Hi, I have been offered a job at x amount and looking for an advice on negotiating final salary.
I am dealing directly with the company and there is no agent involved in the process.
Company was aware of my salary expectations before my interview and I was looking for 5k more than the top end being advertised. Company did mention to me that they have some flexibility for the right candidate.
First they offered me the top end of the salary which was 5k less than I was expecting but I told them that it would be difficult for me to accept this offer on that salary and I asked them if there is any room for negotiation. HR came back to me in few hours saying they can offer 2k more and it’s a max they can go for.
After few hours on the same day, I had a chat with HR and i mentioned that company was aware of my salary expectations before the interview and it will not be easy for me to make a final decision on this offer. She said that she can offer me 3k more instead of 2k because when she discussed with the hiring manager this morning, they were not happy with the 5k difference so we can offer you 3k more. ( i think hiring manager has given HR the figure to play with)
I appreciate that they have offered me 3k more than their budget but to me it feels like that they have a budget to offer me a job on my expected salary otherwise they wouldn’t have invited me for an interview.
I hate going back and forth; I don’t know how to tackle this. All I want them to say that this is our final offer and sorry we can’t offer you anymore so it’s up to you whether accept it or reject.
Should I try negotiating more? Just wondering they might withdraw the offer if i negotiate more.
I am dealing directly with the company and there is no agent involved in the process.
Company was aware of my salary expectations before my interview and I was looking for 5k more than the top end being advertised. Company did mention to me that they have some flexibility for the right candidate.
First they offered me the top end of the salary which was 5k less than I was expecting but I told them that it would be difficult for me to accept this offer on that salary and I asked them if there is any room for negotiation. HR came back to me in few hours saying they can offer 2k more and it’s a max they can go for.
After few hours on the same day, I had a chat with HR and i mentioned that company was aware of my salary expectations before the interview and it will not be easy for me to make a final decision on this offer. She said that she can offer me 3k more instead of 2k because when she discussed with the hiring manager this morning, they were not happy with the 5k difference so we can offer you 3k more. ( i think hiring manager has given HR the figure to play with)
I appreciate that they have offered me 3k more than their budget but to me it feels like that they have a budget to offer me a job on my expected salary otherwise they wouldn’t have invited me for an interview.
I hate going back and forth; I don’t know how to tackle this. All I want them to say that this is our final offer and sorry we can’t offer you anymore so it’s up to you whether accept it or reject.
Should I try negotiating more? Just wondering they might withdraw the offer if i negotiate more.
Edited by djones123 on Saturday 12th March 17:18
I think it depends how much you want this job? Is it worth losing for extra £2k gross? Do you go back and say you won't join unless they offer the extra £2k? can you get the extra £2k by alternative means say extra leave days or some other perk that isn't headline salary? Given you are so close to terms I wouldn't be that fussed. If you were miles apart on salary then it would be an obvious non starter (unless you absolutely needed some income coming in)
Difficult to know who's being reasonable without being able to put the money in context. Another £3k on a £25k job is a bigger gap to bridge than the same on a £50k one. Also depends how competitive the candidate marketplace is and how much it's a need to hire versus it would be nice if they could get you but they don't have to hire at all.
Compromise position is to accept the increased offer with written agreement that salary will be reviewed at 6 months.
Compromise position is to accept the increased offer with written agreement that salary will be reviewed at 6 months.
Reading whilst watching the rugby, so apologies if I missed it but it's not clear whether they approached you, or did you see the job advertised? I know you said that they invited you for an interview but that could have been after you applied. The former may put you in a slightly stronger position than the latter.
Does the £2K difference constitute a drop compared to current salary, or are you aiming for a 'new job topup'?
Does the £2K difference constitute a drop compared to current salary, or are you aiming for a 'new job topup'?
Edited by pincher on Saturday 12th March 17:34
As with most things, it's just not that simple.
As mentioned above, what % is the £2k of the total salary? Are you moving and this represents about 10-20% improvement on current salary (if not, then the move may not be viable anyway)? What part does the salary play in the overall package (pension; healthcare; gym membership; subsidised canteen etc)? Is this your dream role or are you happy to walk away for £2k?
It's very difficult to advise without a full and complete picture. But good luck!
As mentioned above, what % is the £2k of the total salary? Are you moving and this represents about 10-20% improvement on current salary (if not, then the move may not be viable anyway)? What part does the salary play in the overall package (pension; healthcare; gym membership; subsidised canteen etc)? Is this your dream role or are you happy to walk away for £2k?
It's very difficult to advise without a full and complete picture. But good luck!
My 2 cents (or pennies) as someone who's gone through this process in several countries: I usually try to take salary completely out of the equation. When asked about expectations I say: "give me your standard offer and let's sit down again in 3/6/12 months (depends on the job) to talk about it."
6 months down the road they know how good (or bad) I am, I know how much the job actually costs me in health/time/emotional investment, and we're both better equipped to negotiate the terms. It's much harder to let an active member of staff go than a potential one, especially if you like the person - so when possible I try to defer the whole discussion to a point when we already have some sort of relationship going on.
Bottom line - I wouldn't pass on an opportunity over 2, 3 or even 5k difference. A job (for me) is about much more than paying the bills, so money is just one of many factors to consider.
'Fine print' to put all of the above in context: 30 y/o, no kids, no mortgage, no union membership, typically making 35-45k PA providing old school technical services.
6 months down the road they know how good (or bad) I am, I know how much the job actually costs me in health/time/emotional investment, and we're both better equipped to negotiate the terms. It's much harder to let an active member of staff go than a potential one, especially if you like the person - so when possible I try to defer the whole discussion to a point when we already have some sort of relationship going on.
Bottom line - I wouldn't pass on an opportunity over 2, 3 or even 5k difference. A job (for me) is about much more than paying the bills, so money is just one of many factors to consider.
'Fine print' to put all of the above in context: 30 y/o, no kids, no mortgage, no union membership, typically making 35-45k PA providing old school technical services.
The reason i wanted to negotiate the salary because it would keep me motivated in the new role plus the skills i would brining on board. Company wants to replace someone who was with the company for over 12 yrs. My wife is disable and can't work, i am a sole earner at home with young family and extra 2k means a lot to us. But on the other side its true do i want to let this job go just because of 2k.
May be i can ask for flexi working hours like 9-10 am start and 5:30-6:30pm finish as it suites me well because i have to drop my kids to school in the morning.
May be i can ask for flexi working hours like 9-10 am start and 5:30-6:30pm finish as it suites me well because i have to drop my kids to school in the morning.
Derish said:
My 2 cents (or pennies) as someone who's gone through this process in several countries: I usually try to take salary completely out of the equation. When asked about expectations I say: "give me your standard offer and let's sit down again in 3/6/12 months (depends on the job) to talk about it."
6 months down the road they know how good (or bad) I am, I know how much the job actually costs me in health/time/emotional investment, and we're both better equipped to negotiate the terms. It's much harder to let an active member of staff go than a potential one, especially if you like the person - so when possible I try to defer the whole discussion to a point when we already have some sort of relationship going on.
Bottom line - I wouldn't pass on an opportunity over 2, 3 or even 5k difference. A job (for me) is about much more than paying the bills, so money is just one of many factors to consider.
'Fine print' to put all of the above in context: 30 y/o, no kids, no mortgage, no union membership, typically making 35-45k PA providing old school technical services.
The BIG caveat with that is that a lot of bigger companies are utterly inflexible once you have accepted. If you don't get the max you can on entry, then you are screwed when it comes to further negotiations. Where I work is like this. I pushed very hard for a salary towards the top of my band during initial negotiations as I knew this to be the case. I have colleagues who have been in the organisation for a few years more than me and earn considerably less - they weren't aware of how inflexible T&Cs are. They have zero option for negotiation other than to leave. It's a huge bone of contention but far from unusual.6 months down the road they know how good (or bad) I am, I know how much the job actually costs me in health/time/emotional investment, and we're both better equipped to negotiate the terms. It's much harder to let an active member of staff go than a potential one, especially if you like the person - so when possible I try to defer the whole discussion to a point when we already have some sort of relationship going on.
Bottom line - I wouldn't pass on an opportunity over 2, 3 or even 5k difference. A job (for me) is about much more than paying the bills, so money is just one of many factors to consider.
'Fine print' to put all of the above in context: 30 y/o, no kids, no mortgage, no union membership, typically making 35-45k PA providing old school technical services.
Edited by rhinochopig on Sunday 13th March 14:56
Unless you really need the job I'd be inclined to negotiate for the amount you require to move.
Anybody who thinks they can have review after 6 months is living in bit of a fantasy land in my experience. "Sorry no money this year, but things are looking more positive for next year". Yeah, right!
I am sure you will negotiate hard for the company to save it money when employed, and this means that you should negotiate hard for yourself as well.
Don't make it about money, just that you would love to take the post but that you had talked in advance about the salary that would be provided and it would be a shame to get this far and not progress for 2k.
It's hard not knowing all the factors, but if this is a large company this sum is tiny in relation to their other expenses.
Unless you desparately need the job then you would be crazy not to ask as the only real time to negotiate on the these things is now (be it cash or other perks).
However, if you think the offer is fair and you want/need to move then you should accept the offer with both hands.
Really the main thing is to do what YOU think is the right thing (not what other will tell you - only you have all the facts). All the best and good luck.
Anybody who thinks they can have review after 6 months is living in bit of a fantasy land in my experience. "Sorry no money this year, but things are looking more positive for next year". Yeah, right!
I am sure you will negotiate hard for the company to save it money when employed, and this means that you should negotiate hard for yourself as well.
Don't make it about money, just that you would love to take the post but that you had talked in advance about the salary that would be provided and it would be a shame to get this far and not progress for 2k.
It's hard not knowing all the factors, but if this is a large company this sum is tiny in relation to their other expenses.
Unless you desparately need the job then you would be crazy not to ask as the only real time to negotiate on the these things is now (be it cash or other perks).
However, if you think the offer is fair and you want/need to move then you should accept the offer with both hands.
Really the main thing is to do what YOU think is the right thing (not what other will tell you - only you have all the facts). All the best and good luck.
Edited by pistonheadforum on Sunday 13th March 15:38
Interesting read. 2 experience dealing direct with company, once I accepted just below the minimum offered as I really needed the job. Within 6 months my salary was increased to maximum offered. The other time I've accepted with just above minimum but find it hard to increase (this is with a bigger company).
It's a tricky one but I'm almost in same boat as OP so money is definitely one of the important factors.
I'm in a process of applying for a job dealing with a recruiter and I find it a rather difficult experience. When I went for interview the director and business manager doesn't even know of the recruiter so I am not even sure what she's saying to me about salary expectations and role etc is really accurate. She suggested a starting salary 2k below the minimum advertised with view of increasing in 6 months time but to be honest I'm not sure if this was communicated through.
As other posters commented 2k gross would really depend on percentage of salary. My advise would be to accept the offer with firm view of increasing perhaps after 6 months/1 year. This window will also give you some time to look around if needed be.
It's a tricky one but I'm almost in same boat as OP so money is definitely one of the important factors.
I'm in a process of applying for a job dealing with a recruiter and I find it a rather difficult experience. When I went for interview the director and business manager doesn't even know of the recruiter so I am not even sure what she's saying to me about salary expectations and role etc is really accurate. She suggested a starting salary 2k below the minimum advertised with view of increasing in 6 months time but to be honest I'm not sure if this was communicated through.
As other posters commented 2k gross would really depend on percentage of salary. My advise would be to accept the offer with firm view of increasing perhaps after 6 months/1 year. This window will also give you some time to look around if needed be.
rhinochopig said:
The BIG caveat with that is that a lot of bigger companies are utterly inflexible once you have accepted. If you don't get the max you can on entry, then you are screwed when it comes to further negotiations.
pistonheadforum said:
Anybody who thinks they can have review after 6 months is living in bit of a fantasy land in my experience. "Sorry no money this year, but things are looking more positive for next year". Yeah, right!
In my experience, it depends a lot of the kind job you do and the manager you have. When the relationship is strictly transactional ('build me a bridge and I will pay you a thousand Pounds') - flexibility is low as budgets are set in advance and all following decisions are made rationally, on a spreadsheet. When it's more transformational ('join our team and help us get across the river') - it's a different story, in which the human connections you make are likely to play a bigger part in managerial decision making.
Managers typically have more than one pocket to pull funds from, and motivation can come in many shapes. Even if salaries are set in stone, a manager can still approve a generous travel allowance, offer flexible hours, perhaps set some time aside for you to do a personal project, or accept some extra sick days if that's your thing. But in order for that to happen, you two need to make a connection first and the manager needs to see your value, as a person and as a team member. That won't happen if you insist on playing hardball right from the beginning.
Granted, it's easy for me to say all this as a young man with no dependents or obligations, but I find this general approach works for many others as well, providing a certain degree of common sense and open mind(edness) on the management side. If you're under the impression you're dealing with an old school, conservative and authoritative type of manager - perhaps you're better off just staying put and waiting for the next offer to come along. Unfortunately these people are still all too common, especially in bigger companies and multinational corporations.
Edited by Derish on Sunday 13th March 17:01
Edited by Derish on Sunday 13th March 17:02
Hmm...just came across a same job online advertised by recruitment agency and surprisingly salary range starts from what i am looking for. I know recruiters normally advertise 5k more salary to attract more candidates..but starting range is 5k more than what i was initially offered. So may be they have a budget to offer me what i am expecting.
Edited by djones123 on Sunday 13th March 23:32
djones123 said:
Hmm...just came across a same job online advertised by recruitment agency and surprisingly salary range starts from what i am looking for. I know recruiters normally advertise 5k more salary to attract more candidates..but starting range is 5k more than what i was initially offered. So may be they have a budget to offer me what i am expecting.
If it is the same job, from a different agency, then the chances are they are just fishing for CVs. Why would the employer appoint a new agency at this point, if they've already made an offer to you?Edited by djones123 on Sunday 13th March 23:32
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