How do I negotiate a salary ?

[Ray Singh]

I am keen to move back into the telecommunications industry after being made redundant by Nokia last year. I have spent almost a year working for a defence company and really am keen to get back into the corporate telecommunications sector.

I have identified a company where I would like to work and have applied for a great role. I was initially asked to complete a parametric test, which I passed and was invited to a face to face interview. It went well and I was asked to come back to the second stage interview recently. This also went very well and i love the culture and the style at the company.

I spoke the HR rep today when he called to ask how i think the interview went. He told me that everything looked promising, but the only sticking factor would be the salary.
I have asked for a reasonable wage, perfectly in line with that offered by other employers for a similar role. However, the HR rep told me that they are really looking to pay £5k less than I am asking.

Now, they must have known my salary expectations prior to the parametric test, first and second stage interviews.
Are they just trying their luck? Should I push for my original desired income? Can I play cheeky and ask them to meet me in the middle - although this sounds like the sort of thing that Arfur Daily would say when buying a Mk2 Granada .

[limpsfield]

Congratulations on getting as far as you have.

I would push for what you asked for - initially at least.

I would not have thought £5k was that much of a deal breaker for them.

If I was getting nowhere I do always use the split the difference approach - for cars/ houses/ jobs - a nice, non confrontational way too do it.

Good luck

[Gargamel]

Depends on the percentage. 5 k on 30 k salary might be a deal breaker.

You are ex Nokia who tended to be above market averages. You hate you current firm.....


1. ask why, is it an internal grade? do they pay similar roles at that level ?

2. when are pay rises due, what is the typical percentage increase ?

Meet in the middle is always a good idea, but personally I would hold on for them to offer first. Simple say, I really like the role and the business, but given my current salary and my reasonable expectations this looks like an offer that is below where I think my experience is. How do we go from here ?

If you think it is a fair offer then take it.

[Pickled Piper]

Nothing wrong wih negotiating. Keep it positive and ask them to meet you half way. There is always a bit of flexibility available if they really want you.

Alternatively, are there other benefits they can give you that may make up the deficit?

I have known employers to give a one off signing bonus to make up for a salary deficit. It could be money that they may have budgetted for relocation expenses etc.

I have never once accepted a first offer. I always see it as an opening bid.

Ultimately depends on how much you want the job. Keep it positive and just use the negotiation to show them how savvy you are.

BTW Congratulations. It sounds like you are on the home straight.

pp

[rog007]

If they're prepared to debate over £5k, is that an insight in to the culture of the organisation or its financial health? Worth investigating further.

[MitchT]

rog007 said:

If they're prepared to debate over £5k, is that an insight in to the culture of the organisation or its financial health? Worth investigating further.

I reckon it is. My OH had three jobs in a row at companies that wouldn't pay the going rate... in fact, wouldn't even pay the top of the salary band that they'd advertised for the role. Her experience suggests that companies where there's no 'pay ethic' are best avoided as it's a culture which permeates into every aspect of the organization, not just that of pay.