Advice please - starting salary and increment negotiation
Discussion
Hi All
I’d very much appreciate advice on salary negotiation please.
I have recently left a job to return to working for myself. A recruitment consultant however has approached me re an interesting employment opportunity that involves managing a team within a business and also helping to grow the business by obtaining new contracts. (The reason I am considering the opportunity is because I would prefer to work with a team rather than in isolation)
I have met the managing director for an informal meeting and am returning for a formal interview next week. However I have concerns about the salary the employer has been advised by the agency, as the agency said my expectations are lower than they are!
I am looking for a minimum starting total package that comes to 13K more (7k salary and rest in pension, assurance, healthcare etc).
I would value your advice on
• how I should go about negotiating the starting salary
• how to agree salary increments based on performance and attracting new business, (as if I worked for myself once back up to speed I could earn up to third more annually .)
I feel I need for the terms to be clear from the outset but not sure how to do this
Many thanks for your thoughts
Sparky
I’d very much appreciate advice on salary negotiation please.
I have recently left a job to return to working for myself. A recruitment consultant however has approached me re an interesting employment opportunity that involves managing a team within a business and also helping to grow the business by obtaining new contracts. (The reason I am considering the opportunity is because I would prefer to work with a team rather than in isolation)
I have met the managing director for an informal meeting and am returning for a formal interview next week. However I have concerns about the salary the employer has been advised by the agency, as the agency said my expectations are lower than they are!
I am looking for a minimum starting total package that comes to 13K more (7k salary and rest in pension, assurance, healthcare etc).
I would value your advice on
• how I should go about negotiating the starting salary
• how to agree salary increments based on performance and attracting new business, (as if I worked for myself once back up to speed I could earn up to third more annually .)
I feel I need for the terms to be clear from the outset but not sure how to do this
Many thanks for your thoughts
Sparky
If you wouldn't do the job for less then just tell them your number, you hold all the cards and the worst they can do is say no at which point you wAlk away perfectly happy.
If you would do the job for their current offer and just want more, same conversation really but prepare to have your bluff called.
Doesn't need to be any games played here, but detail how you are worth the amount to that business.
ETA: same with the increments, propose what you want and what KPI's/targets performance will be measured against in order for you to achieve them.
If you would do the job for their current offer and just want more, same conversation really but prepare to have your bluff called.
Doesn't need to be any games played here, but detail how you are worth the amount to that business.
ETA: same with the increments, propose what you want and what KPI's/targets performance will be measured against in order for you to achieve them.
Edited by rsbmw on Sunday 3rd July 12:49
As above really. For the sake of the recruiter's reputation, they'd rather have the numbers required to seal the deal now in order to manage the client's expectation early. It also speeds up the negotiation process should everything go well.
Just be confident you now know enough about the opportunity - if you throw numbers around before really understanding the job, it'll make the employer think you really only care about the money, rather than the job itself.
Just be confident you now know enough about the opportunity - if you throw numbers around before really understanding the job, it'll make the employer think you really only care about the money, rather than the job itself.
Thank you rsbmw
I would prefer to speak to the employer directly as when I raise what I want with the agent they aren't supportive of it saying I wont get it. They don't appear to be aware of what some of my peers are on. Is it okay to speak to the employer directly e.g at the end of the interview?
Also, When you say they might call my bluff, I don't quite understand what you mean here? please can you explain why you think they would do that?
I would prefer to speak to the employer directly as when I raise what I want with the agent they aren't supportive of it saying I wont get it. They don't appear to be aware of what some of my peers are on. Is it okay to speak to the employer directly e.g at the end of the interview?
Also, When you say they might call my bluff, I don't quite understand what you mean here? please can you explain why you think they would do that?
Thank you Adam FX too I was writing at the time you sent your posting....
The job is pretty diverse requiring my involvement in several parts of the service from performing specific tasks across 2 business units, leading teaching and developing team, writing policies and procedures, carrying out audits, applying out accreditations and winning work..
Not too sure how to write measurable and achievable KPI's ... as haven't needed to do this before. Want to deliver but also don't want to run myself into the ground by setting goals too high.. but would like to achieve a significant salary increment in 6 months time...
Do you have any tips please on writing KPI's that will suit the employer but give some leeway?
Many thanks again
The job is pretty diverse requiring my involvement in several parts of the service from performing specific tasks across 2 business units, leading teaching and developing team, writing policies and procedures, carrying out audits, applying out accreditations and winning work..
Not too sure how to write measurable and achievable KPI's ... as haven't needed to do this before. Want to deliver but also don't want to run myself into the ground by setting goals too high.. but would like to achieve a significant salary increment in 6 months time...
Do you have any tips please on writing KPI's that will suit the employer but give some leeway?
Many thanks again
Your best opportunity to negociate pay is right now. If you try to do it in six months, it'll be much harder. Even if you ask them to agree now to a rise later, it would have to be conditional on something (eg performance) then the door will be open for them to say you haven't quite done as well as we hoped, so no rise. Which would be a downer for everyone.
I agree Otherman. My concern is that I could provide a lot of inside info, contacts etc and bring new business but not be fully remunerated for this... then there could be bad feeling and I would leave, leaving them in a much better position and not having to pay for it...
But I don't see how I can negotiate a salary that is 40K higher based on what I could achieve if I worked for myself....
anyone any ideas please?
But I don't see how I can negotiate a salary that is 40K higher based on what I could achieve if I worked for myself....
anyone any ideas please?
You'll be lucky to get 5+% when you've got your feet under the table and have been there 6 months, Jam Tomorrow hardly ever works out and everyone comes away pissed off (you leave, they have to spend time and money hiring someone else)
If the gap's too big at negotiations then this isnt the job for you, and you have zero f
ks for the agent
If the gap's too big at negotiations then this isnt the job for you, and you have zero f
ks for the agentI think a modest increase at reviews is fairly standard, some companies dont even review though so it's hard to make the call. If you go in on the basis you might stay flat for a year or two, you'll probably have an idea of the figure you need to come away with at the end of the month assuming no reviews.
Sparkysea said:
Thanks Andy, this is my concern.
Do people think its best not to discuss salary reviews at all and just try to get the highest salary from the start?
I think you'll struggle (i.e. it'll be impossible) to get them to agree to future raises. If you're not happy with the starting salary, don't join IMO.Do people think its best not to discuss salary reviews at all and just try to get the highest salary from the start?
It's rare to have baked in/future guaranteed salary increases. Even more rare going beyond the first year.
There is nothing to stop you from asking about the salary review process, pay cycle, typical increase etc.
Also if your salary expectation at joining is £40k more than the stated range or several 10s% more then unless they approached you for the job you're unlikely to get it. That the job is so far different from your expectation indicates the role is nowhere near your experience level/capability and that the role is probably more junior with less responsibility or autonomy than you may come to expect.
There is nothing to stop you from asking about the salary review process, pay cycle, typical increase etc.
Also if your salary expectation at joining is £40k more than the stated range or several 10s% more then unless they approached you for the job you're unlikely to get it. That the job is so far different from your expectation indicates the role is nowhere near your experience level/capability and that the role is probably more junior with less responsibility or autonomy than you may come to expect.
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