New employer has offered me the same salary as I'm currently on.

[marshmelloow]

Is this normal? I'm on 30k and they have literally just matched that. I'm going to ask for more as it's a step up from my current role but I feel pretty deflated to be honest. I thought they would have offered me around £35 and I'd try and get £38. It's made me a bit irritated to be honest

Rookie mistake to tell them what you’re on. You know that saying ‘ dress for the job you want, not the one you’ve got’? The same applies to salary. Next time just say you’re paid above market rate commensurate with your abilities but you can’t disclose exact figures ‘because of confidentiality’ (it covers most situations and should stop further probing; if not, rinse and repeat). Do your homework on pay and any extras that might be appropriate for or important to you. Most women routinely undervalue their salary expectations, if you don’t ask, you won’t get.
PS . If a potential employer stiffs you on salary at interview, chances are they’ll keep doing it when you’re employed .

Just go back and say that given the move would mean loosing that security of continuous employment etc, that there would need to be a greater salary offered than you currently earn.

There’s no obligation for them to pay you more. I wouldn’t get paid more if I left my company for a promotion in another. Because my employer pays well above average salaries. I have friends who do similar roles for similar employers on 25% less. So if I moved to their company for a promotion it would be similar to what I am on. Unless they really really wanted me and were also willing to pay way more than they do others.

But of course they will try and get you on as little as they can.

What’s the average salary for that job role, nationally and in your area. If you get those details, then you have a starting point for negotiation.

No point getting annoyed. If you want the job but know they are offering less than they should, negotiate.

Tell them you are looking for nearer 40k to move.....

Is the role a significant step up in terms of responsibilities?

Lots of good advice here.

Don't let your annoyance at them offering to match colour your view of the company. They are presumably expecting a negotiation so they have started low. They should probably have offered £32k or so, but starting at your current salary isn't so unusual as to be a red flag for the organisation or anything like that.

Best practice these days is not to base salary on previous salary/roles but on what the job is worth based on the company, the market, the location etc. So if you feel the new role is worth more, then you should absolutely tell them you won't move without a pay increase. But if they've offered that salary as that's the salary for the role in their company, you might not have much luk.

But don't move if you're not happy. That way just leads to disappointment.

Nor me, what's the point ?.

"Thank you but no, this is quite a long way below the salary of £38k I as looking for."

...and then learn your lesson and exaggerate your salary in future!

When I did it, it was for a shorter commute, better pension contributions, better perks, better prospects, better sick pay and better maternity pay, working for a company with a better reputation and better ethos.

Oh and not being at the top of a fixed salary bracket.

It paid off . I got a payrise after about 8months, my pay continued to rise, and they supported me in a new qualification.

Why on earth would you move to this company? You will lose continuity of employment and they can get rid of you for pretty much no reason at all in the first couple of years. Also they have shown you their attitude to pay by such a ridiculous offer so even if you manage to negotiate higher at the outset they may not increase your salary after that for years. Unless you really need to move to them I would stay put and talk to your current employer about a raise.

DOH.

It's been a long time, but even way back when I always added £5k on when asked current salary by a perspective employer!

Don't feel deflated! Job offers are all about negotiation - this is all part of the game. Of course they're going to go lower. Ask for more money - my friend in HR told me always ask for more than you think you can get. So if you want £8k more, I'd ask for at least £10k more. The worst they can do is say no, but more likely is they'll meet you in the middle. If they don't, just say no.

Next time either lie or say salary isn't relevant, I know this role should be around £40k.

Tell them you're about to have a salary review, and you need a minimum of, say, £35K to move - and stick to it. Also ask them about their processes for reviewing salaries.

But I would be cautious anyway, it sounds as if the prospective employers are pretty stingy.

What type of job is it? It it something where there is a shortage?

Thing about what you will actually move for. Up it by a few thousand and tell them you need that much to consider moving.

And don't short sell yourself.

Say thanks for the offer but you were expecting in the region of 40k.

And what happens when they realise you've lied? In my profession lying is a big no no and I wouldn't just risk not getting the job, I'd risk losing the right to do my job (slight over exaggeration but am in a position of "trust").

I wouldn't move for no increase and given the current climate, it would have to be a decent increase. As long as you are prepared to walk away from this role, say you want £38k and go from there.

Don't accept it unless what is in it for you is an easier life or, if it's more you want, more training or more flexibility.

Agree with others saying never tell them what you are actually on.

My partner recently got offered a job. Currently earns X and told them he earned X+5k and they’ve offered him X+7.5k.

im surprised though they didn’t offer you more than your current role. I’d definitely negotiate and mention that 7% cost of living payment.

Completely agree. Don’t lie. I can’t tell you how much I wish I had been more ethical this year, and this was one of the things I failed on. Made a lot of mistakes. Lying about base means you will constantly be looking over your shoulder. I do think it’s not right to be asked about current salary. A better position would be to focus on desired salary. And as someone else said play hardball. Current comp is confidential and you can’t share it. Wish I’d done this. Don’t turn into me :) good luck.

Don't ever disclose your true salary, say what you are expecting for the calibre of the role including any benefits such as a company car etc.

I was tapped up to apply for a similar job in a different company.

They did all the chasing and I made it clear it was only worth being interviewed if they could make leaving my company an attractive proposition because I'd be leaving a final salary pension scheme and losing the protection that 20 years service gave me (legal and financial through redundancy terms). I told them unless they exceeded my current salary by at least £10k it wouldn't be worth applying.

They agreed with that principal and still low balled me after the interview. I was really angry they wasted my time. Gave them one opportunity to reconsider (they were still only offering £2k rise) then declined.

Reasons to move employers aren't always financial, but it always needs to be worthwhile. If they aren't willing to offer you an improvement (however that looks) to your current terms then I'd stay where you are.

I hate it when jobs give no idea of salary. It just wastes people's time!

Just tell them that salary is unacceptable to you OP. Tell them you are looking to be moving up the ladder and you won't move for less than X.
Then leave the ball in their court, if they really want you they'll come back to you with a better offer. And don't hand in your notice yet