Negotiate Job Offer?

kopper

Hi
I am expecting a formal job offer this week but would like to see if I can get a higher salary before accepting. I'm worried that if I dont accept the advertised salary then my potential new employers will not be impressed.
I applied for this job through an agency and they have not mentioned that the advertised salary is the maximum I cant get so there may be hope.
I also am currently working and the new job is less than what I earn but the location and the job is better than where I am at the moment.

Any advice on negotiating job offers will be appreciated.
Thanks

reheat

I'd say tread carefully. If you have got the job via an agency, then all your dealings in this regard should be done via the agency. And they will be better placed to balance the possibility of a slightly better salary, versus the risk of jeopardizing your new role.

I was in this position a few months back, and managed to get another 1K onto the provisionally agreed salary. But I was in quite a strong position as I turned out to be well suited to the role, and I also had another interview pending with another company. In addition, the extra 1K meant it then almost covered my extra commute costs, so I could genuinely claim I was not motivated simply by greed, never a good impression to give a prospective employer ... unless you are a politician maybe.

I placed myself in the employment agent's hands, and said if he could use his skills to get me the extra 1K it would be good, but to in no way risk the job for me, nor risk upsetting my new employer. All worked out fine.

I'd suggest you first work out in your own head how you feel about the relative merits you mention.

dseventy

Discuss it with the agency in the first instance. Explain what you have said here an ask their advice, they should know their client so should give you an insight.

D70

InsideInsurance

Its in the agencies interest to get you the highest salary possible as their commission is almost certainly a percentage of it. They to wont want to lose the money by pushing so hard that they lose the offer (though at 15% the difference of an extra £100 to you isnt massive so dont expect them to go that far).

bevanuk

A (good) company won't revoke a job offer based upon someone asking for more money. It is exactly what it says an offer. When someone offers on a house you can negotiate so why not here?

I would only want to negotiate with the company directly in these situations, the agency is just another person in the chain. I would use a phrase explaining that you are very grateful for the offer and looking forward to joining the company at this time - you were just curious as to whether the salary could be increased by around xx% (as a percentage will seem low!) to £xxx. If they ask any quesitons I would explain that you are looking after your own interests and in turn will look after theirs.

magenta22

I would say that unless it was advertised as salary negotiable then what they have suggested is the maximum.

Don't get greedy would be my opinion.

LadyMissA

I had a friend recently who was offered a job via an agency for £25k and she told the agency tell them £26k and I am in and got a call back in 5 mins saying yes ok £26k.

If you don't ask, you wont get but you can only ask once then have to make your mind up on then what they have offered if you don't get a better offer. Of course you can turn any offer down.

gibson123

Nothing ventured nothing gained, just ask.

magenta22

Why apply for the job if you didn't think that it offered enough with the salary??????