Applying for a job with a payscale - can you negotiate?

Newwashingmachine

Hi

If you apply for a job that has a payscale (e.g. local government, NHS) and your present job is on more than that do you think you could ask to start on a higher part of the payscale - say in the middle of it - or is this a definite no no.

tonyh66

probably no unless you are already working in the same sector, then you would be put on the same scale plus 1 increment up.

Wywth

Newwashingmachine wrote: »

Hi

If you apply for a job that has a payscale (e.g. local government, NHS) and your present job is on more than that do you think you could ask to start on a higher part of the payscale - say in the middle of it - or is this a definite no no.

Everything is negotiable.

If the employer wants you enough, then you can go in top of grade if that is the only way to secure you.

Newwashingmachine

hmmm thanks 2 totally different answers. I know in the U.S. it seems to be the norm to negotiate salary but it's not so common in U.K.

Wywth

Newwashingmachine wrote: »

hmmm thanks 2 totally different answers. I know in the U.S. it seems to be the norm to negotiate salary but it's not so common in U.K.

Oh well, with that approach, I would wholeheartedly agree with tonyh66.

Why are you applying for a lower paid job anyway??? :huh:

Newwashingmachine

Wywth wrote: »

Oh well, with that approach, I would wholeheartedly agree with tonyh66.

Why are you applying for a lower paid job anyway??? :huh:

1 hour each way travelling time.:D:D

cottyh24

Absolutely, yes you can negotiate a higher salary but this will depend on your qualifications and experience. I was made redundant from a higher paying, greater responsibility job than the one I am now in but was taken on at the top of the scale in my current post. My employer recognised my skills and experience reflected the higher wage, it also meant that I could take on more responsibility than they had originally anticipated from the role, a win-win situation for both of us.

To the person who asked why apply for a lower paying job: I applied for my current job because any wage is better than the benefits I would have received had I been long term unemployed. Perhaps the OP is in the same position, or they are moving to further their career.

saker75

I recruit in the public sector. Sometimes you can argue for the upper end of the pay grade but not o another grade. Each post is benchmarked against comparable work, not market value of candidates. In one case we managed to upgrade the post once the candidate was working it, but generally no.

browneyedbazzi

Newwashingmachine wrote: »

Hi

If you apply for a job that has a payscale (e.g. local government, NHS) and your present job is on more than that do you think you could ask to start on a higher part of the payscale - say in the middle of it - or is this a definite no no.

I did exactly what you suggest when I started my current job (in local government) - my previous salary was near the very top of the scale but the new employer had a policy that said new employees start on the bottom of the scale. I chanced it anyway and asked for my significant relevant experience/skills/knowledge be taken into account so that I could be appointed at a grade point nearer my existing salary (the top end of the scale for the new job was a little more than my previous salary). They had to go an get special approval but as I could walk right in and do the job without the need to for any training and I was well ahead of the other candidates they agreed. They didn't meet my existing salary but came pretty close and as it was less commuting and in an area I wanted to work I was happy with that result. I save enough on petrol now that I'm actually better off despite the slightly lower salary

Newwashingmachine

Thanks - it sounds quite positive.

kazmeister

Hi

Over the last couple of years I worked ona project where we regraded every role in the organisation and set up a new pay scale because the old one had got to the stage where people doing the same job were paid up to £15k difference. This was mainly due to huge consolidated performance awards during 'the good years'. This led the organisation to be wide open to inequality claims and the new pay scale has to address these issues in 3 years. After that there has to be a 'justifiable' argument for paying people doing the same job at different rates.

Someone starting in our organisation now would start on the bottom of the pay scale for that role and over a 3 year period would end up in the 'Core zone' (the going rate for the job). If for example you were applying for a Hotel reception position and had done that job for 10 years and only had to learn about the new organisation then there would be a justifiable reason to pay a higher rate than someone with little experience. They should not pay you higher than the existing competent staff as that would be unfair.

You have nothing to lose by asking but I would suggest that you have your justifiable reasons ready. Oh and the firm I work for is a Non Departmental Goverment Body so the type of the organisation shouldnt matter.

Hope this helps