Pay increase

Kryptos

Hello,

I work in IT and I've been getting a lot of job offers from recruitment agencies but 2 of them started moaning when I told them my current salary and my salary expectations which is 30% higher than my current salary.

The reply I got back was that the majority of people move for a 10% increase.

But to be honest, a 10% gross annual increase is really just about 5-6% increase in the net wage which is pretty much not worth the hassle of moving, adapting to new colleagues, new processes etc.. which takes about 2-3 months anyway.

Do you agree that 30% more on the gross salary (20% on net salary) is a lot to ask for when moving jobs?

Also, is it embarrassing to ask the current employer that you would like more than just a 1% annual salary increase ?

Thanks in advance.

Kryptos

djohnst wrote: »

I never tell people my current salary - it's completely irrelevant. If you know what you're asking is the going market rate, then just name your price. If you're shooting way above the going rate you're going to have to do some work to convince them that you've got something extra to justify it.

Thanks, I wouldn't tell them, but everywhere you go they ask for it..every application form or every interview, I've been asked for current salary. A recruitment agency started complaining when I said it's confidential and said that they need to know it so that they can work it out with their client and see how much they can offer, I know that if I lie, they can find out from my P45 anyway cause of the taxes I paid. What is the option in that case ? And no, 30% more is still a bit below market rate for my job role.

HappyMJ

Kryptos wrote: »

Hello,

I work in IT and I've been getting a lot of job offers from recruitment agencies but 2 of them started moaning when I told them my current salary and my salary expectations which is 30% higher than my current salary.

The reply I got back was that the majority of people move for a 10% increase.

But to be honest, a 10% gross annual increase is really just about 5-6% increase in the net wage which is pretty much not worth the hassle of moving, adapting to new colleagues, new processes etc.. which takes about 2-3 months anyway.

Do you agree that 30% more on the gross salary (20% on net salary) is a lot to ask for when moving jobs?

Also, is it embarrassing to ask the current employer that you would like more than just a 1% annual salary increase ?

Thanks in advance.

10% of what? I wouldn't move from a job that I really liked for 10% but 20%...even 30% that would be enough to convince me to leave. If I was working in a job that I didn't like I'd move even if there was less money on offer.

Ask your employer to pay you the market rate. If that's 10% more than your current rate tell them that. It's much cheaper to pay you 10% more than it is to recruit and train someone else.

Kryptos

HappyMJ wrote: »

10% of what? I wouldn't move from a job that I really liked for 10% but 20%...even 30% that would be enough to convince me to leave. If I was working in a job that I didn't like I'd move even if there was less money on offer.

Ask your employer to pay you the market rate. If that's 10% more than your current rate tell them that. It's much cheaper to pay you 10% more than it is to recruit and train someone else.

Thanks for the answer, yeah but how soon should I ask that? straight away or wait for the annual salary increase ?

System

Unless you have increased your evidenced skill set markedly then forget 30%

HappyMJ

Kryptos wrote: »

Thanks for the answer, yeah but how soon should I ask that? straight away or wait for the annual salary increase ?

You're thinking of moving so straight away.

Gavin83

Are you applying for roles or being headhunted?

You don't have to accept a salary you aren't happy with. If you interview well and the business like you then you can start salary negotiations and if they really want you they'll pay what you ask, within reason. It depends on how essential you are to their business and how much your marketable skills are worth.

I'd probably just tell the agency you don't see your current salary as relevant and they should be negotiating the offer based on your skills and experience. If you really want to tell them or they won't back down just state 'I currently earn £x a year but I wouldn't consider a move for less than £x a year' and let them deal with that.

theoretica

Kryptos wrote: »

A recruitment agency started complaining when I said it's confidential and said that they need to know it so that they can work it out with their client and see how much they can offer

So just repeat that you will not consider the role if it is under X and maybe go so far as to say that your current salary will not be a strong bargaining point for them to use.

lonestar1

Back in 1999 I wasn't happy with the pay I was receiving after a large increase in workload and responsibility so I applied and was offered a role similar to my old one for 10% more. When I handed in my resignation I was stunned when I was asked to hang fire for a couple of days and eventually agreed an extra 5k on top of to 10% to stay, my next 2 yearly rises weren't great but it was certainly worth doing.

I did learn a valuable lesson though when a colleague on same section did the same thing a couple of months later (I was very nervous for a few days) he told me a few years after that it was all a bluff and he never actually had another job lined up. These days I tell no one but my manager Im leaving until I know I am

Kryptos

lonestar1 wrote: »

Back in 1999 I wasn't happy with the pay I was receiving after a large increase in workload and responsibility so I applied and was offered a role similar to my old one for 10% more. When I handed in my resignation I was stunned when I was asked to hang fire for a couple of days and eventually agreed an extra 5k on top of to 10% to stay, my next 2 yearly rises weren't great but it was certainly worth doing.

I did learn a valuable lesson though when a colleague on same section did the same thing a couple of months later (I was very nervous for a few days) he told me a few years after that it was all a bluff and he never actually had another job lined up. These days I tell no one but my manager I'm leaving until I know I am

Yeah, I noticed a lot of people play the bluff game to get more money, especially if they work with the sought after skills. I couldn't take that risk though, I'd rather just have a job lined up with the offer e-mail and then I would be more confident bargaining the current salary with the manager. I guess it's down to the individual.

cardsguy

I have always found this aspect of job hunting to be a tricky one - most recruiters start with the question "how much are you on right now" and "what is your expected range" which I believe is the wrong approach - changing jobs is not always about pay but also about corporate culture and career fit.
I have had an instance whereas the recruiter would tell me that the company can offer a max of £xx.xxx, but after attending the interview I was actually offered significantly more by the prospective employer - something like 35% more than what I was earning at that time. However, had I given the recruiter my real, final expectation, I probably wouldn't have been called in to interview at all.