How to negotiate a higher salary upon a job offer.

mountainofdebt

an9i77 wrote: »

Acc72, she is asking people's advice on what she should do IF she is offered the job. We can give advice on hypothetical situaitons as well as real ones! perhaps she wants to plan her next move so that she knows what to say when she gets the offer, rather than saying um and ah, then posting on MSE and going back to them a few days later when the optimal time to negotiate her salary could have passed.

To be honest if the positions go ahead, given the reasons for the delay I would argue that the OP is in no position to argue for a higher salary.

What the OP should do, if offered the positions, given its such a great opportunity blah blah blah, is to accept whatever salary is offered to her.

But that's just me.

glasgowdan

mayling, be cautious. Large US-based corporations can promise everything but deliver nothing.

All though the interview process and in the early months all you hear about is staff, investing, caring... but hold back and don't be drawn in, because you'll start to see chinks in the armour over time. You probably won't progress as fast as you hope, you won't get the big project experience you hope for (far too much middle management and wannabe directors for that to be passed onto mere graduates).

Been there, got out and moved onto something entirely different. It wasn't for me, although a lot of people revel in that environment.

Best of luck! Just don't get suckered, see the company for the way it truly is and youll probably do well.

ironlady2022

Agree with you mountainofdebt, as I said I think the chances of the upper end of the salary band have gone down due to these circumstances.

Wellery82

If offered personally i would smile, point out how pleased and flattered you are, and then play on the fact that you now want to show your worth as a negotiator by negotiating the salary.

Ie "Firstly i am really excited to be offered the role, i feel i can add real value in xxxx and it ties in exactly with what i am looking for.

Given you want a good negotiator i thought it also was worthwhile me doing some negotiation here and seeing what scope there is for movement on the salary. I believe given my three years real world experience, and my ability to xxxx i am worth the upper end of the pay bracket and am keen to see what room there is to either netotiate this now, or to set a fixed pay review, with some clear objectives to move to a new salary?"

No way offer will be pulled, if you do it with a smile the worst that will happen is you don't get anywhere and they realise you are prepared to challenge an idea.

Good luck

cazziebo

You're not just on 21k - you're on 21k with protected employment rights. i would be quite shocked if a candidate offered to move and stay on a similar salary (unless it was a career changer).

OP, I think you have a good case for negotiating towards the top end of the scale. Forget the circumstances. It demonstrates poor vision to focus on the price, rather than the value of candidates. The best candidate is worth paying for and they've already indicated the parameters here and you're not looking to go beyond that. Also, no employer ever wants to re run a recruitment process again. The time and effort cost are way disproportionate to the kind of salary you're looking for.

I agree with the poster below (apart from saying this is a test of negotiation skills, I think that might be seen as inviting a slap down) and focus on justifying why you are worth the higher salary. What skills will you bring? what results do you expect to achieve? Speak confidently and back up with facts.

I've spent 30 years hiring people; in multinationals, SMEs, owner managed businesses and third sector, and I've always found the money to pay the right candidate. US companies in particular expect some negotiation. For a buying job, I'd be disappointed if the candidate didn't value their skills enough to try to strike a better deal.

Best of luck, OP. It's a competitive market but worth it when you get the offer.

ironlady2022

cazziebo - it is a career change! So it's very important I take this next step! Also about my current job, I work in a place reliant on government grants etc so I would not call this stable either hence I think I need to move quickly.

I think if the US do release the funds, I WILL DEFINITELY try my luck at negotiating! Won't hurt to try. What's the worst that can happen.

an9i77

Mayling, my previous advice was based on the presumption that you had prior buying experience. If this is a total career change for you, and you have not actually worked as a buyer before, I'd be dubious about your chances to negotiate a higher salary tbh. Usually the higher end of the salary range needs to be justified by prior relevant experience. If you are a total newbie to buying then by all means ask for the higher end but don't be too suprised if they say no. Where I work, we recruit buyers and entry level positions (assistant buyers) start on about 17k, so you're doing well to get an entry level role in the early 20s.

ironlady2022

an9i77 I understand what you are saying but on job description no prior experience was needed, and I have other useful skills that are relevant.

dawyldthing

i'd show them my worth in the job then after the first 6 months ask them to review it as at the end of the day its better to be paid a bit less than expectations and have a secure job than be paid more and have a less secure job. Plus training can move you up the ladder more eventually, which will be costing them money. If it was me i would be glad of the opportunity and be more than happy with 22k