How to ask for the top offered salary - job application related

[donotknowhownottomind]

Hi

I am currently on 21K and went for an interview for a role which is similar but I would say broader and more challenging. It was advertised as up to 30K according to qualifications etc.

The interview went well and they told me they really liked me and had been looking for months and to expect a call. They had a couple of other candidates to see.

They also asked me what I am earning currently. I said 21K but I should have said that my current boss has asked me to stay and is upping my salary (not sure by how much, will find out on Monday).

If and when they do offer me the job, due to my being on 21K now, I don’t think they will offer me 30K.

However, this is what I want and need. When they don’t offer me 30, what justification can I give for wanting and needing that much without sounding pushy.

I think my experience warrants 30 (how long is a piece of string) but I am also a single parent to three on tax credits, so I really need to earn more and receive less in credits before I become ineligible. I wouldn’t tell them all that, but that’s the general situation.

I am prepared to carry on looking for another job if I don’t get the 30, but I don’t know how to imply that. Any advice appreciated 😊!

I suggest either your asking your present employers for more time to consider so that you find out if you have another offer, or asking them for more eg £25k and committing to staying there for say another 6 months.

Thanks for the advice. The problem is that in both jobs they need someone in place for January.

My other issue is that in my current job my employer understands when I occasionally need to take time off for special needs related things my dc have. That’s a big gamble - that the next employer has the same understanding.

It would be so much easier to stay where I am but the money is an issue... Anyway, will ponder some more .

School admin. £30k? Where? That's a huge amount. No school admin jobs/bursars around here earn that. They are on more like £23k-£25. Are the words 'pro rata' there in the job ad, as many/most term time only school contracts are advertised on that basis, which drags the salary down somewhat.