How many of you negotiated higher pay with a job offer?

[alazuli]

And by how much? Just negotiated £1k more. Now I wish I'd asked for more!

[Getabloominmoveon]

I did. Just asked for more, and ended up with about 75% of what I wanted, which was not insignificant. I was advised by a (male) friend that he never accepts the first offer, and neither should I.

[alazuli]

Yeah I think most women don't negotiate whereas men do. I'm already at the top end of my pay scale so didn't want to seem greedy. Bah! Chance blown. Better than nothing I guess.

[Heatherbell1978]

Yes I moved from one big bank to another. 4 years ago. Only time in my 15 year career I've moved companies and someone told me that the best time to get that big rise is moving externally as you won't get it internally as easy. I walked away from a final salary pension scheme and car allowance so factored them in as best I could but went from £43k to £62k (excluding pension payments which probably brings it closer to £55k) at the same level but was due a decent pay rise in my previous employment.

[alazuli]

WOW.

Is it too late to ask for more...?

[alazuli]

I've not accepted yet. I'm guessing I might have lost my initial advantage.

[alazuli]

Anyone? This job means more hours and less holiday. Is that a good enough basis to go back for more? Or is going back for more after they've agreed to a tiny bit more not the done thing?

[Heatherbell1978]

If they want you they'll consider it. I'm guessing they'll have a ceiling of what they can offer you and will go up to that if needs be. In my case I was asked what I was expecting salary-wise and just went straight in there, half expecting to be knocked back but they agreed.
If you think the job is yours then you have nothing to lose!

[EvenTheWind]

Before advising whether to go back for more, you'd need to say how the discussion has gone so far.

Are there other things you want eg extra holiday, higher pension contributions etc that haven't come up yet?

[alazuli]

Not even asked about pensions - should I? Holiday is 25 days which I think is standard. I'm currently on 30 though. Is it worth asking for more? I'm so bad at negotiating!

[Getabloominmoveon]

Definitely ask about pension rights and holidays - now is the time!

[alazuli]

Have already been told how much everyone likes me and I know they struggled to fill the position for a few months. I guess the least they can do is say no!

[Jaimx86]

I was given a role as a trial, and was bloody surprised I got it, do didn't negotiate pay. After I'd passes the trial (exceeded targets) I said I'd only continue the role at an agreed rate and gained the additional £8000 I asked for.

[unlimiteddilutingjuice]

I have never negotiated over pay- but I have negotiated a job share. It was completely counter intuitive to me to start laying conditions on a much wanted job, and very nerve wracking. But they agreed to it so Yay Me!

[OllyBJolly]

Always negotiate once you have the offer. By that time, everyone is convinced you are the right person and there will be no appetite to go through the process again. That's when your bargaining power is strongest.

So many benefits are based on salary so the higher the figure, the better the rest of the benefits i.e. bonuses are often calculated on percentage of salary, shares might be allocated according to salary, pensions will be percentage of salary. And don't forget the other benefits - additional holiday, pensions, perks. There's almost always a bit of flexibility in the budget if you make a good case.

[alazuli]

Have just asked for more money based on the longer hours and fewer holiday days. Those 2 things mean that £1k rise amounts to nothing really. Have asked for £3k. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

[HermioneWeasley]

Placemarking!

Negotiating salaries should be taught in schools and I love to see women asking for what they're worth!

[alazuli]

Man I wish I had posted this just after I got the offer. Really should have asked for a lot more but I've never negotiated a job offer before. They've usually offered more money not exactly the same. Anyway they've gone quiet on me... We'll see!

[Twoevils]

Fingers crossed for you.

I once negotiated a 5k increase on a job offer - and then turned the job down (went free lance). That bit me on the bum a year or two later when I needed to take maternity, could have done with a permanent job to return to.

[alazuli]

£5k - impressive! It helps it's not my dream job. If it was I'd be a nervous wreck.

[PrincessConsuelaTheSecond]

I once negotiated an extra £12k. Partly by accident - I didn't even want the job, but they wanted me so badly they kept offering me more pay rises

I still declined though, it would have been a bad move for my career. I do generally find it's easier to negotiate a rise when you don't want the job though as you don't have the fear of scaring them off.

That said, my industry is very much "if you want me that badly then you'll pay for me".

[slug]

Once I managed two spinal points. I had been doing the job on an acting up basis for 18 months. I was also at the end of a temporary contract and was the only person who knew how to keep a rather mission critical piece of software working. I had them over a barrel as I could have walked leaving them completely in the lurch.

[alazuli]

£12k wow! Princess what's your industry because mine is 'this is vaguely cool so you should be happy to work for free'.

Ok so the HR person hasn't got back to me not even to acknowledge my last email. Have I over-played my hand? They said they wanted me to confirm by today.

[alazuli]

Although surely they'd get back to me to say no this our final offer before going with another candidate right??

[EBearhug]

It's Friday and Christmas isn't far off - it's possible there's not many in the office to acknowledge anything.