Job application - pay NEG !!

tommytynan123

I've never been in this situation before so, if poss, some guidance will help please.
56 - just retired early from Civil Service (my help towards the deficit) Financially OK and now able to work p/t with no major panic to get a post. I'm able, luckily, to place a question against possible posts of ''.. would I enjoy doing this job ?''
Now applying for a p/t post in the vocational area that my career was based on and the post is about 95% of my requirements. I already have snags trying to 'downsize' my CV to convince people that I am quite happy doing a job at a level far below what I was doing.
The advert says ''Pay: Negotiable'' and as I have pension backup I could and would do the job for NMW. As the post is a little specialised the employer is probably expecting to pay quite a bit more than the NMW. I am trying/or not to influence the 'sift' by saying ''I am cheap''. Should I ? / How can I ? / Would you ?

Any help would be great

TrickyWicky

tommytynan123 wrote: »

I've never been in this situation before so, if poss, some guidance will help please.
56 - just retired early from Civil Service (my help towards the deficit)

I already have snags trying to 'downsize' my CV to convince people that I am quite happy doing a job at a level far below what I was doing.

In other words you were a manager, probably axed a few people and cost them their only income while lying to the rest of the staff about their conditions and cost cutting. Then got pensioned off early with a respectable lump sum to spend..

Personally I wouldn't put anything about being cheap. I'd just put something along the lines of wanting a job where you can remain in social contact with people and that you'd accept offers in the range of £x - £z.

To be honest though.. being an ex manager who is no doubt used to looking at CVs and job applications, shouldn't you know all of this stuff? :rotfl:

DVardysShadow

TrickyWicky wrote: »

In other words you were a manager, probably axed a few people and cost them their only income while lying to the rest of the staff about their conditions and cost cutting. Then got pensioned off early with a respectable lump sum to spend..

Personally I wouldn't put anything about being cheap. I'd just put something along the lines of wanting a job where you can remain in social contact with people and that you'd accept offers in the range of £x - £z.

To be honest though.. being an ex manager who is no doubt used to looking at CVs and job applications, shouldn't you know all of this stuff? :rotfl:

You seem to be making assumptions here. OP could equally have been in a specialist role.

TrickyWicky

True but in the times of budget cuts the civil service tend to get rid of a few HEOs and above that they have accumulated from their yearly promotion boards - even though they already have enough chiefs and too few indians!

tommytynan123

TrickyWicky - behave.
Just to clarify a bit.
17 years in the Armed Forces as an aviator incl: 2 hostile (very) holidays. (I came back thinking each time that hostile hols are not very nice but the training I had been given worked to a 'T')
14 yrs in MoD as a Training Manager

The only person I have ever tried to get axed was some guy who, when the pressure was really on, made errors in servicing my ''threat detection kit'' He stayed - with a bit more supervision

Ex-manager - yes - but a very very nice one. Snag is in the public sector applications etc are so 'uniform' with no real chance to say extras. Like the 'social' bit - thanks :T . Behave :rotfl:

FOX_HOUND

tommytynan123 wrote: »

I've never been in this situation before so, if poss, some guidance will help please.
56 - just retired early from Civil Service (my help towards the deficit) Financially OK and now able to work p/t with no major panic to get a post. I'm able, luckily, to place a question against possible posts of ''.. would I enjoy doing this job ?''
Now applying for a p/t post in the vocational area that my career was based on and the post is about 95% of my requirements. I already have snags trying to 'downsize' my CV to convince people that I am quite happy doing a job at a level far below what I was doing.
The advert says ''Pay: Negotiable'' and as I have pension backup I could and would do the job for NMW. As the post is a little specialised the employer is probably expecting to pay quite a bit more than the NMW. I am trying/or not to influence the 'sift' by saying ''I am cheap''. Should I ? / How can I ? / Would you ?

Any help would be great

I didn't know you became a civil servant after playing for Newport County!

TrickyWicky

tommytynan123 wrote: »

TrickyWicky - behave.
Just to clarify a bit.
17 years in the Armed Forces as an aviator incl: 2 hostile (very) holidays. (I came back thinking each time that hostile hols are not very nice but the training I had been given worked to a 'T')
14 yrs in MoD as a Training Manager

The only person I have ever tried to get axed was some guy who, when the pressure was really on, made errors in servicing my ''threat detection kit'' He stayed - with a bit more supervision

Ex-manager - yes - but a very very nice one. Snag is in the public sector applications etc are so 'uniform' with no real chance to say extras. Like the 'social' bit - thanks :T . Behave :rotfl:

Ok, ok, I'll be nice

cr1mson

Is there not a personal statement bit where you could allude to it without actually saying it? i.e. I have recently taken early retirement from my position as Training Manager for the MOD and whilst being fortunate to have a pension I am looking for the opportunity to continue to work in my field of expertise.

Personally would steer clear of actual figures on application as think there is a danger that if put NMW they may think you don't know the market rates for the job and that calls your whole ability into question. Would keep it for a face to face/telephone situation.

Also would say need to be careful not to send the message that the job will not be important to you i.e. you will treat it as a hobby rather than a job.

C

getmore4less

Don't undersell,

To an an employer an employee that is in your position can be a bit of a risk.

You are basicaly a volunteer so can up and leave just because they ask you to do something you don't like or want a holiday that does not fit the business.

Once in te door I would emphasise the skills set, aim for at least market rate for the role but you have more to offer should it be usefull, also will be very flexable to the needs on hours.

fred7777

getmore4less wrote: »

Don't undersell,
To an an employer an employee that is in your position can be a bit of a risk.
You are basicaly a volunteer so can up and leave just because they ask you to do something you don't like or want a holiday that does not fit the business.

Exactly, underselling yourself may make them mark you down not up.

In any case salary negotiations are usually conducted when you are offered a job (after the interview not during it) so there is little opportunity for you to to bargain down.

cgk1

Underselling yourself makes you look desperate and that's never an attractive attribute in a candidate.