Wage negotiation after a job offer

Kingmonkey77

Hi all

I've been working in a position in the civil service for the last 4 years and recently they decided that as I was recruited internally and not through fair and open competition, the job was being advertised and I would have to apply for it. Cut to the chase, I applied, was interviewed and today have received an offer of the job.

I've logged on to the recruitment site that they use and it there are two radio buttons, one saying I accept the offer and one saying I don't accept the offer but I can't see what the offer is.

In the job advert they advertised a minimum and maximum salary and I'm guessing, as is the civil service way, the offer is going to be for the minimum offered.

I believe that having been in the position for 4 years already, I have a level of experience that is worth a salary nearer the maximum end of the advertised wage and not the same as someone else who is brand new to the organisation and to the team.

Does anyone have experience in negotiating salary and can help me?

I have emailed the recruitment team today to thank them for the offer and explained I can't accept as I can't see what the offer is and what I'm accepting and have asked them to email me details of the offer so I can see, but I've never tried to negotiate a wage before so unsure how to approach it from there.

Thanks in advance

Savvy_Sue

How does the minimum compare with what you're currently on?

Kingmonkey77

The minimum is what I’m currently on. I’ve been on a temporary promotion for 4 years so my old wage was given the uplift to make it the minimum of the permanent wage, if that makes sense 

lincroft1710

Whether it is still the same or not, I don't know, but the attitude in the CS used to be "This is the job, that is the salary, take it or leave it"

Kingmonkey77

I think part of that was people just accepted what they were told and  people were afraid to ask so not enough did. Where there is a higher and lower shelf to wage, there’s room for negotiation, I’ve just not done it before so wondered if anyone knew the best way to approach it. 

lincroft1710

There was a similar thread some months ago. Cannot remember the outcome but it may be worth you searching for it.


I don't think people were "afraid" to ask. You got a letter from fairly high up in your department and it said your grade and starting salary. There was no opportunity to negotiate.


Also from other threads on here, it seems that there are many successful candidates waiting for a long time to be appointed to CS posts, so it is doubtful if you would be in a strong negotiating position. 

powerful_Rogue

The civil service don't negotiate salary. It is what it is. Long gone are the days of spine points.

Andy_L

In (almost?) all of the civil service there is no progression between the min and max.
Many departments only show a single rate and those that show a range do so for historical/questionable reasons. They were reported to the advertising standards agency about it but got away with it because they didn't say there was annual progression and it was, theoretically, possible to reach the top via annual cost of living increases

Exodi

It sounds like the CS is just doing a tickbox exercise by rehiring you amongst fair and open competition.

As you mention, you are currently working on the bottom of the band (and previous to this exericse, had raised no concerns about this). It could look like you are being opportunistic by trying to increase your wage in this exercise.

Obviously you could ask for a salary review at any point if you feel your pay does not reflect the value you bring.

Personally, I think you would be absolutely crazy to 'reject' your new contract, as some sort of strange negotiation/blackmail tool. I think this would totally blindside the recruitment team that you are suddenly no longer happy renewing your current contract unless they pay you more. To cut to the chase of a real negotiation - would you leave if they weren't willing to pay you more?

Over the years, I've been in several salary negotiations and if I could give any words of wisdom, it would be to only engage in negotiations from a position of strength - e.g. they would have trouble replacing you (due to skills, pay, or time). I personally do not think you are in a position of strength, nor do I expect you have a plan B... 'pay me more or [nothing]'.