Taking a job with lower pay

Sanne

Detroit wrote: »

If you're set on taking the job regardless of pay, and won't turn it down even if they say no, there's little point in asking the question.
I think I'd find it a little annoying as an employer after making myself clear about the salary from the start.
The advice to wait until you've proved your worth is good, but I don't think you can put a time on this.
Don't forget, you don't just need to prove yourself competent, they expect that for the salary they're offering. You need to show that you're significantly better than others on that scale, or otherwise bring something unique to the position that the employer will want to retain.
This is not easy to achieve, and probably not going to happen in 3 months.
If this is a role where others do the same or similar work, there would need to be strong justification you deserved more money than colleagues.
I would suggest you look at overall performance in the team and collate hard evidence to show you are achieving more before making any request.
You should also bear in mind that often employers have a fixed idea of what a role is worth to them and base salary on this, not the person in the role.
If there's a ceiling on that job, no matter how great you are, you may not ever be paid anymore.
If this is the case, rather than get too focused on increasing your salary within this role, perhaps work towards promotion within the company to a position carrying a higher salary scale.

Exactly what he said...

I'm working for such an employer who is allergic to negotiations of the offer (as they make sure it's fair, both for the individual and across the company, i.e. fits in with other salaries). They have set pay bands which are published and clearly show everyone how they can get to the next "level". There obviously is a bit of discretion within bands but variances aren't huge.
If someone wants to move to the next band it's either through gains of competencies (there are five "levels" and three bands within each, e.g. new in job - competent - close to next level which might translate to school leaver or someone recently promoted, someone solidly performing and someone over-performing who would be considered for promotion) or promotion (e.g. to team leader or manager).

Instead of asking for more pay, maybe ask if they have something similar (once you've been in the job for three months or so!) to see how you can progress.

Samsonite1

I think that all you can say is that you are on more than they offer, so the maximum possible would be acceptable and let them know that it is a decrease in pay. If the job and company is that good then a few grand is nothing in the long term.