Should i negotiate more or decline the offer

[djones123]

I applied for a 12 month fixed contract and HR told me about the salary range which was about 17k - 22k less than i am on. I told HR about my current salary and it was outside their budget.

HR then put me forward for 12k - 7k less than i am on and i was happy with that range.

Had a very good interview with the hiring manager and surprisingly HR made me an offer which was 22k less i am on now even though i was put forward for a higher range. I told them i can't take it, it is too low for me.

Later HR came back with higher offer which was 17k less than i am on now and still lower than than what i was put forward for. I told then i will not accept anything lower than 7k difference.

This morning i was told that company can't offer more than x amount which is 15k less than what i am earning.

I like the tech company is using but i am not happy with the whole HR process. They made me an offer which is lower than what i was looking for.

Should i just decline the offer? Not sure if they will come back with the higher offer.

[Peter911]

On purely monetary terms yes.

But quality of life, future prospects etc?

Only you can answer that.

[djones123]

Peter911 said:

But quality of life, future prospects etc?

I think future prospects are good as company is using latest tech for development. I am earning more but stuck with old tech which is not good for future.

But money wise, there is a 14k difference.

[Terminator X]

Why did you interview if you knew it was less than you'd accept? Waste of time for all parties surely.

TX.

[Chozza]

What is so special about the Tech they are using ? Will a 12 month contract make you very employable in the future ?

I'm not seeing the upside for taking less than you are on now for a fixed term contract. What else is making you consider even 7K less .

( or are are we in payscales where these numbers are actually small % )

[AndyAudi]

I’d have a chat with the Hiring manager if you can and let them know your reason for decline.

I know companies I have worked with have stopped & revisited the level they are recruiting at if they’ve got it wrong.

[djones123]

Terminator X said:

Why did you interview if you knew it was less than you'd accept? Waste of time for all parties surely.

TX.

I was put forward on the salary range i was happy with but company's final offer is less than that range.

[djones123]

AndyAudi said:

I’d have a chat with the Hiring manager if you can and let them know your reason for decline.

I know companies I have worked with have stopped & revisited the level they are recruiting at if they’ve got it wrong.

Should i email the hiring manager? or it is better to talk over the phone ?

[bigandclever]

The question for me is, is the drop in income to learn & work with a ‘new’ technology worth the potential uplift with someone else in a year’s time? Or to put another way, how long will it take to recoup your ‘loss’.

And then you get to why are your current place using the ‘old’ tech, how long will they continue with that, what can I do to encourage them to move forwards, and so on.

[AndyAudi]

djones123 said:

AndyAudi said:

I’d have a chat with the Hiring manager if you can and let them know your reason for decline.

I know companies I have worked with have stopped & revisited the level they are recruiting at if they’ve got it wrong.

Should i email the hiring manager? or it is better to talk over the phone ?

I’ve learned over the years, speaking helps convey things so much better, so if that’s an option it’d be my preferred.
You’re disappointed you can’t accept, let the emotion show.

[Vee]

HR made the offer.
Did you ask them why they are offering you less than the rate they told you they’re putting you forward at ? Hopefully you have some evidence of that.
Really poor of them to waste your time.

[sociopath]

If it's this hard getting what you think you agreed before you start, how hard will it be when you get there?

I'd walk away.

[Blue62]

This seems a bit strange, are you dealing with the internal HR function or is ‘HR’ a separate entity (agency)?

I can understand an agency trying to shoehorn you into a role for a fee, but not an in-house HR function. Regardless I would not take the offer unless you’re desperate, it’s a 12 month contract and getting back to your normal rate will be very difficult next time around.

[djones123]

Vee said:

HR made the offer.
Did you ask them why they are offering you less than the rate they told you they’re putting you forward at ? Hopefully you have some evidence of that.
Really poor of them to waste your time.

I did ask the question and Internal HR person told me that she was told about the arrange and later higher management changed their mind.

[BobsPigeon]

I've been in a similar position, applied for a job at a specfic salary was offered the job at a negotiated salary then when HR sent the written offer letter salary was below the original advertised salary! HR lady said they always do it like that...

I said no and they had to keep me on as a contractor for the next 2 years at double what I wanted as salary.

I'd say walk or hold your ground. I suspect they need you more than you need them if you're any good.

[craigjm]

For me it would depend on future career prospects and being in an area I wanted to be in with more modern tech would fit that. But also the 14k drop is salary is all relative. If you’re earning 140k then yeah go for it as the overall impact isn’t that great. If you’re earning 28k then it will halve your ability to lead the life you want. Only you can answer that question for yourself

[rustyuk]

Similar position to you last year - applied for something with a lowish salary just for the experience and then got 5k knocked off at the last minute by 'HR'

I just accepted it and it's been grating ever since and is one of the reasons I've handed in my notice.

[djones123]

I just had a chat with the hiring manager and i explained him the way HR is handling the job offer situation.

He was apologetic about the initial offer HR made which was a lot lower than what i was put forward.

He also mentioned that they have a budget to match my salary expectations but they don't want the new guy to be on more salary than what the current team members are earning. This doesn't make any sense to me, they are not looking at the experience i will bring on board.

He is happy to offer me 3k more than what HR offered me.

I was always under impression that internal HR people are more transparent but looks like its not true anymore.

I might be able to negotiate the salary after 6 months but it is not certain.

I am very close to walk away from this offer.

[craigjm]

djones123 said:

I am very close to walk away from this offer.

So that extra 3k offer how much does that leave you down on your current position and what percentage is it?

Before you walk away ask yourself if you will ever ask yourself the question “what if?” In my experience, it’s always better to regret something you did rather than something you didn’t. If it’s looks like it may move you forward then take a long hard look at what the money is worth to you before dismissing it

[deckster]

djones123 said:

I might be able to negotiate the salary after 6 months but it is not certain.

You won't. That's for sure.

Only you can answer the question but personally I'd be very unhappy with the way the company's handled this. As has been said, if they're making it this hard to join them, you can be sure it won't be easier once you're inside. In particular the manager's reasons for offering lower are rubbish; people come in at different (and higher) salary levels all the time. Plus, he's as good as admitted that he's currently underpaying all his staff.

Unless you really, really want the job, I'd politely decline. At best, leave them with a lowest and final offer and let them come back if they can match it.