Anyway back from this? Salary negotiation help pls

lynzpower

hi there

Right I applied for a job last week ( not the one I really really want, another one, I do want but not as much as the other IYSWIM)

I had a call today to talk over my CV, and it transpired that they are probably goig to interview me soon.

the issue is that there was no salary mentioned on the job thing on the website.

Now right at the start of the conversation the lady said to me " what sort of salary are you looking for" I said erm, well "22-23 really, but Id really like 24" and she breezes yeah fine, thats within what we are expecting.

Now I feel like Ive undercut myself.

Theres no other jobs similar anywhere. So I cant compare. I mean, Im not being fussy 22k is better than not wrking at all, and I certainly wouldnt turn it down right now, but really, I want more

I think us brits do struggle with the salary negotiation. Has anyone got any pearls of wisdom to share so I can ramp it up a bit later down the line?

LittleVoice

You can do more research so that you have a secure information base.

When you are in a job, you can try to get comparables and also quantify what you have saved them by the changes you have made.

MORPH3US

In negotiation, the key is start high and then you can drop a little.

When you say to someone 22 - 23 but I would like 24, straight away they will think "She'll take 22k"

Its difficult though because if you'd said 24 and they had said "whoa thats way too high we're only offering 22" then that would have messed it up.

As above, do some research and see what comparable roles pay so that you can tell them as much in the interview.

lynzpower

When you say to someone 22 - 23 but I would like 24, straight away they will think "She'll take 22k"

I know!! DOH! aS Soon as it came out of my mouth I was like DAMN I should have said 30 with a view to taking 25 LOL

i jsut cant find ANY comparable jobs really TBH.

Emmzi

Hmm.. how about '22k plus benefits'... so you've quoted basic and they need to meet 'total package' which can include eg commission, bonus, pension contribution, car allowance, sick pay, life insurance... you can bump up another 3 - 5k on the benefits package...

lynzpower

well ive definatley got an interview and they want to see me on Wednesday :eek:

Seems Ive got some brushing up to do!

doitmyself

Hi Lynz
I don't think you've undercut yourself, in fact you haven't committed yourself, or your prospective employer to anything. I guess if your answer had been £75k then that would have saved both you and the lady a lot of time, and equally probably if you'd said £7.5k!

So, you're a potential for the job and you have your chance to do the salary neg properly at your interview!
I don't have those pearls of wisdom, actually you're usually the one dishing it out, and I've usually agreed with you.

Maybe you could refer to the £22k saying that your salary expectation is more like £30k and so realistically how long will it take me to attain that salary? (what opportunities for progression will be aval to me blah blah etc...).

Something like that anyway. Good luck, and if this one doesn't work out there's always the job you really really want

going2die_rich

At the interview they will more than likely ask if you have any interviews. Say yes and mention a date in the coming days. Say nothing but that. If you feel they are bit quick to jump at taking you on just make out to the agency/company you have had another job offer and you will need to consider this. Add an addtional £1k or £2k (depending upon how confident you feel on them wanting you) and say it's just the money thats making you sway as it does mount up at the end of the year. They may say they'll match it whereby you can accept.

For future reference say your higher offer (£24k) is what you are looking for, but you'd consider less but you do have other interviews so it would need time to consider if you were offered less. That way if they want to try and knock it down they will be cautious in case they price you to another company.

Even £22k will pull you up on the salary, so next time (about a years time) you can look else where. Go for long shot jobs as if you get offered one you can get the company to match it or lose you.

LittleVoice

I wouldn't expect the job to be totally unique. However, can you think of two jobs that could be merged to cover the requirements. Can you find those two jobs somewhere, then assign time to each and work out a composite rate. If there aren't any local jobs to match, consider percentage increase or decrease depending on general rates in the other area.

bristol_pilot

Add 30% to your current salary and say that figure. Be prepared for it to be negotiated down or to get a lower offer, but if there is not at least a 15% increase over current pay on offer at the end of the day they can't afford you so walk away.

lynzpower

bristol_pilot wrote: »

Add 30% to your current salary and say that figure. Be prepared for it to be negotiated down or to get a lower offer, but if there is not at least a 15% increase over current pay on offer at the end of the day they can't afford you so walk away.

no chance my last job was as an estate agent with a 10k basic!