Salary negotiation

immuno

Hi guys,

I'd really appreciate some advice. Yesterday I went for an interview for a rather unusual position at a biotech start-up company. I was told that prior to specialising in what I want to specialise in (which is very competitive and hard to get into, so I was excited to at least have the opportunity), I'd have to first rotate around departments for the first 12 months or so, similar to a graduate scheme. If I pass the "graduate stage", I'll get the opportunity to work in my department of choice. I've been trying to get into that profession for a couple of years now, so it's a good opportunity. However, I've been working in a similar, but different, field for the past few years and my current salary is 39k..salary before that was 34k. They've offered me the job and have offered 25k! They've written "Salary on appointment will be £25,000 per annum, but this will be reviewed at regular intervals including at the end of a six-month probation period."
Does anyone have any idea if this can actually increase significantly? Is it something I can directly ask? I am going to visit them next Tuesday. They've also added that on Tuesday we'll agree upon my start date and salary....so is it flexible? How is it best to approach this?
The CEO met with me yesterday and was warning me about how the hours are long, the work v hard, v demanding, challenging, but you get to do great work plus get rich quickly...and then there was another comment about how the pay and the share scheme reflects this. Plus I have 6 months of my tenancy left and they agreed to pay it off...so why are they paying so little...can I really expect it to increase by a lot in 6-12 months or is it more likely to be like 1k?!
Should I wait until Tuesday to negotiate this or ask them beforehand?
This job is in another city and I'd have to relocate. My partner just got a new job and she'd have to quit...and I dont think we could afford to live on 25k whilst she looks for a new job in a small city...

Thanks!

immuno

It's also not clear whether they'll help with relocation!

Undervalued

Whilst people do move to lower paid jobs in order to change fields, or even give up work completely and go back into education, you have got to be able to live! Remember too you may be giving up some job security if you have been with you current employers for over two years.

If the change is important to you then I think you just have to work out your "bottom line", explain the situation and see what they say.

No easy and only you (and your partner) can decide what level of sacrifice you are willing to make and also the degree of risk involved!

[Deleted User]

Is the job aimed at graduates/post-grads with MSc? That £25k sounds quite low otherwise. If you're a PhD it sounds vaguely insulting.

If they're talking that figure, the change of negotiating much higher (e.g. over £30k) sounds rather tough.

You might need to consider walking away from this

steampowered

Many companies would give you a significant salary increase when you complete a graduate scheme.

I would negotiate with them face-to-face on Tuesday. It might be worth sending the relevant person a quick email to thank them for the offer and for their time, and say that you would like to talk about your remuneration when you visit them - so that they are aware they will need to have a discussion with you about it.

It would be worth inquiring what your salary would be when you finish the 12 months.

ohreally

ringo_24601 wrote: »

You might need to consider walking away from this

This......

immuno

steampowered wrote: »

Many companies would give you a significant salary increase when you complete a graduate scheme.

I would negotiate with them face-to-face on Tuesday. It might be worth sending the relevant person a quick email to thank them for the offer and for their time, and say that you would like to talk about your remuneration when you visit them - so that they are aware they will need to have a discussion with you about it.

It would be worth inquiring what your salary would be when you finish the 12 months.

So it wouldn't be too rude to enquire about the salary after 6 months or 12 months? I'm not sure how much of an increase graduate schemes offer? I know it can vary, but is it common for a graduate scheme to offer 25k and increase to at least 35k after a year?!

It's a position for graduates, I suppose, although I also have 8 years' of experience following my MSc.

Is it reasonable to expect a relocation allowance?

The hours seem very long for such pay...

The reason I hesitate to walk away from it is that it'll give me an opportunity to enter a profession I've been trying to enter for the past two years...so it'd be a career change after the initial 12 month period.

[Deleted User]

At your career stage it seems odd to be dropping down to a graduate scheme entry level - even if it is changing industry. Maybe you could discuss what roles they have that might be more suitable and offer a package that represents your experience and background?

And please, don't let this be a job in London

I've walked away from firms because the job wasn't senior enough - they appreciate the honesty.

Undervalued

immuno wrote: »

So it wouldn't be too rude to enquire about the salary after 6 months or 12 months?

No, I don't think so. Ultimately you need to have a clear idea of your bottom line and be willing to walk away if they won't meet it. If they see that as rude then so be it.

Be careful about vague promises of "jam tomorrow". It is fine to take a short term hit if it gets you where you want to be but you need to be really sure there is a solid path ahead.

micky2phones

Hi,my working life is so different from yours but when i have started working at a new place, you start on a low wage so not to upset other workers, and to prove you can do the job.

Then i have been given pay rises. Its seems to me your really want the job, so can/could you live on the money, able to work the long hours.

Plus you said yours wages when up from 34,000 to 39,000

ruperts

I think I'd just be totally honest with them. Tell them what your current salary is and that you were expecting a higher starting salary. See what they say. If true, tell them you'd accept a lower starting salary as long as they could offer a guarantee of a substantially higher salary in X months time. See what they say. If you're satisfied, great, if not, walk away.