Negotiating a higher wage.

[TheDailyWail]

I'm putting the cart before the horse. I haven't even had an interview yet.

I applied for a job which is a lower annual salary than I'm on now. It gives a figure, not a salary range and said that it's "dependent on skills and experience."

Do you think that I will be able to negotiate upwards and how do I go about it without sounding money grabbing and rude?

The job role is IMO fairly similar and equally demanding.

Any specific things I could say to them whilst negotiating?

Thanks - p.s. wish me luck

[hairylights]

My assumption would be that they've advertised at what they are prepared to pay.

[TheDailyWail]

I know Hairylights, normally I wouldn't push it but have also seen other places offering a higher wage for the same job. Also when I joined at the same time as my colleague at my current job, she successfully negotiated a higher wage than me. At the time I was just so darned grateful that someone would want me.

I'm just wanting to chance my arm a bit.

[notabankersmum]

One of the reasons women are being paid a lower salary than their male counterparts in some industries is due to the fact that women take less of a bolshy attitude when it comes to getting what they deserve in terms of an overall package i.e. they are literally less likely ask for an increased package. (Google it - some interesting articles abound.)

I would expect that if the rate is lower than the fair market rate for your skills - they're surely just wanting to chance it in case they get someone on the cheap.

I wouldn't have a problem with logically, reasonably explaining your request to look at the benefits they're offering, but I would stress 2 things:

1. only do it once you've shown them what you can do, and they appear to like you (2nd interview onwards)
   
   
2. look at the overall package. if you're just honest and straight with a company, even if they don't have any wiggle room to give a higher salary, they may come up with inventive solutions to compensate (pension contributions, promise of a salary review after 3 months of probation, a higher holiday allowance, flexitime or even a few hours off e.g. early leaves on Fridays - anything, really - use your imagination).
   
   i've had to turn down jobs before when it didn't make sense to go for it, and i've only ever had once where the company was told the reason and they didn't come back with a negotiated offer (i'm not saying higher salary always - but certainly a juggle of the benefits).
   
   the last job i turned down after being 1st choice was a year or so ago (start of 2010). I wasn't THAT fussed about moving, but was starting to get a bit restless at work, and decided to apply on the offchance it would be more interesting - went through 2 interviews - they offered me the job, but on a 3k payrise.
   
   I had to explain that the salary being offered (which was on par with market rates) wouldn't be do-able for me, and they ended up offering a guaranteed yearly 'bonus' premium to take the role (in the end I didn't, it wasn't high enough).
   
   It sounds really bad when I say it like that, but think of it like this: at my current employer i walk to work (so no need to fund a car) AND their holiday allowance increased by 0.5 days per year of service, up to 8 additional days. i'd already got 5 extra days by that point. and they matched my pension pot up to 8%.
   
   So actually, that 3k salary increase with a couple of grand bonus each year was worth much less when you compared:
   
   

• the hassle and cost of buying a car (insurance/MOT/service/petrol)
  
• an extra 45min commute each way
  
• going back to legal minimum holiday allowance and no guarantee of extras with service
  
• 8% freebie into my pension
  

I'd have been daft to take it! didn't say that to them but I'd honestly thought they would offer more than that to get people they liked.

can't win em all!

[TheDailyWail]

Thanks Notabakersmum. That is all very helpful and gives me a little more confidence. Any more tips?

[annh]

If the role is similar to yours but a lower salary I would ask why you are applying? If I were a hard-nosed employer, I would then use your answer to inform my decision about how hard you are likely to negotiate

[TheDailyWail]

Thanks annh - I will be getting more money because I will be working more hours. I just wonder what to actually say because it's the balance between being rude and assertive.

I currently work in a place where we have agency staff who do negotiate higher salaries from time to time and of course some are successful while others get told to sling their hook!

I've never been cheeky before and have always played by the rules - so this is alien territory to me.

[Grevling]

If you don't ask you don't get as notanbankersmum pointed out.

[Trills]

What notabankersmum said - women are trained to be polite and unobtrusive and not to boast or put themselves forward or be pushy. You need to practise overcoming that training.

[notabankersmum]

Some good advice here: www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/aug/27/women-wont-ask-pay-rises (practice, practice practice!)

[GeorgeEliot]

You should definitely try and negotiate - but i would wait until they actually make you the offer.

I know that where i work the view is to try and hire people 'as cheaply as you can.' Ie. Offer a low salary to start and hope the person doesn't try and negotiate higher. Which is a bit crap for a so-called 'ethical' business.