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Original poster

I am just about to email to turn down a job offer for a job I actually really want. Anyone else had this occur?

316 replies

ThatBliddyWoman · 13/10/2022 06:48

I have had two interviews for the job, one just an informal meeting and the second a presentation. Both went well and I was offered the job. It was advertised as (for example) the pay starting at about 2K less than I am on now, and going up to 3 and a half thousand more.

They've offered me the very lowest end of the scale, because I don't have all of the experience they wanted.

They wanted a degree, experience in one particular field and experience in another field. I have two degrees (a Masters) and experience in one but not both of the areas so they'd start me on the lowest pay.

It's also more hours than I do now (albeit not many) some hours WFH some in the office. So I'd have to factor in petrol costs, and paying a dog walker.

I've looked at my finances over and over and I just can't do it :(

I keep re-wording the email. What I want them to do is to come back and say 'Great we'll give you more money then!' but It's not likely is it.

I have a gut feeling that they've not had many people apply. I breezed through both the interviews, I got the impression they really liked me :(

It's also in a field I really want to work in and really want to gain experience in. They'd offered to put me through a qualification I have always wanted too.

Gutted. Has anyone else had something such as this happen?

OP posts:
Doingprettywellthanks · 13/10/2022 07:14

As a director running my own business I would always offer the lowest end of the pay scale, why would I offer the highest?

when you have a spurned candidate in front of you, that you know would be a huge benefit to the business and you want to offer a salary that you think will secure them and also show that you are a good employer that doesn’t always try to get the most from their employees for the minimum.

Doingprettywellthanks · 13/10/2022 07:14

Spurned should read superb

Willbe2under2 · 13/10/2022 07:15

I agree with others - don't decline but ask for more. And don't settle for your current salary if you're going to need to commute, ask for more. Work out what you'll accept and add a couple of thousand (so you have room to negotiate down) and ask for that! Good luck!

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Noyn · 13/10/2022 07:15

You negotiate!!!! Do not say things like ‘can’t afford to live…’ this is about your worth/experience and market rate.

I was once offered a job for my asking salary. I declined, said after learning X I wanted Y more and a follow up meeting where I outlined what success looked like for me. They chased me to accept and eventually I did.

Point is you are willing to walk away so what’s the worse that can happen?

Original poster
ThatBliddyWoman · 13/10/2022 07:16

PalacePaper · 13/10/2022 07:12

Totally agree with other posts - negotiate and don't undersell yourself. I wouldn't say you can't afford to accept £x, instead highlight your skills and experience and say therefore your salary expectation is £y. Saying you can't afford to work for less sounds apologetic whereas in fact it's about the fact you're worth more. Go for it!

The reason I struggle to do that is (and I appreciate that this is a 'me' problem and you're right!) I beleive that saying something like that would make me sound difficult, and not like someone they'd want. They may think Id be demanding or difficult to work with, not be reasonable about other expectations of people I work with etc?

OP posts:
TheClitterati · 13/10/2022 07:17

For the company there are 2 decisions- who to hire, and what to pay them.

They have made the first decision- you.

They have also made the 2nd as they have told you the salary is between £X & £Z.

they want to get their chosen candidate for £X.

Chosen candidate wants £Z.

They have already budgeted for £Z.

Frankly if they would turn you down instead of paying you the budgeted £Z, they won't be worth working for.

Go for £Z. They are expecting to pay it.

coffy11 · 13/10/2022 07:18

I think in every job that I've been offered I've always asked for more than they offered and explained why I wanted it and they always said yes so definitely worth asking. You've got to know your worth. Good luck!

Original poster
ThatBliddyWoman · 13/10/2022 07:19

TheClitterati · 13/10/2022 07:08

NO FLUFF!

Good luck.

I promise no fluff! Grin

OP posts:
Doingprettywellthanks · 13/10/2022 07:19

Sorry I meant to tag @nonstoprenovation

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 13/10/2022 07:20

🌸

Treesa22 · 13/10/2022 07:21

WashableVelvet · 13/10/2022 06:59

Negotiate! If you decline they aren’t going to read between the lines. Whereas if you say thanks but I’d need to earn at least £x and with my masters and extensive experience of x I believe that’s a reasonable salary expectation. Then you give them something to work with. A lot of places offer the lowest as a default starting point t.

Yes, along the lines of this.

Don’t say you “can’t afford” to work for £X!! But say “this is why I need to be paid £Y.”

lannistunut · 13/10/2022 07:22

ThatBliddyWoman · 13/10/2022 07:16

The reason I struggle to do that is (and I appreciate that this is a 'me' problem and you're right!) I beleive that saying something like that would make me sound difficult, and not like someone they'd want. They may think Id be demanding or difficult to work with, not be reasonable about other expectations of people I work with etc?

Show quote history

What you actually mean is you were brought up that women should be 'nice'.

But personally I would be put off by someone fluffy as they sound wet and a bit useless and as though they put what other people think of them ahead of what needs to be done.

PalacePaper · 13/10/2022 07:25

The reason I struggle to do that is (and I appreciate that this is a 'me' problem and you're right!) I beleive that saying something like that would make me sound difficult, and not like someone they'd want. They may think Id be demanding or difficult to work with, not be reasonable about other expectations of people I work with etc?

I totally understand this and you are not alone feeling like that - but remember just because your mind is telling you they'll think something negative that doesn't mean its true. Try flipping it to the positive - 'they'll think I'm confident in my capability and therefore I'll be an asset to the company'

FindingMyself1999 · 13/10/2022 07:25

There is a shortage of labour in the market and a cost of living crisis. You have to really do your maths and think why would you accept less?

Simply put most people seek a 10% at least pay rise on a move into a new role.

By accepting less down you’ve de-valued yourself.

No fluffing. Dear X, I’m delighted to have the offer. However the salary will not work for me. I will be seeking X and happy to have a conversation about it.

I look forward to arranging a call.

Best regards,

Bestcatmum · 13/10/2022 07:25

This has happened to me twice and I've negotiated the top end of the payscale for myself. In one instance I asked for a refund from starting date and got £10,000 given back to me. That was a good payday.
You must negotiate the higher level of pay. You have absolutely nothing to lose.
Just ask and explain why you think you are worth it. If you don't ask you don't get.

PalacePaper · 13/10/2022 07:25

PalacePaper · 13/10/2022 07:25

The reason I struggle to do that is (and I appreciate that this is a 'me' problem and you're right!) I beleive that saying something like that would make me sound difficult, and not like someone they'd want. They may think Id be demanding or difficult to work with, not be reasonable about other expectations of people I work with etc?

I totally understand this and you are not alone feeling like that - but remember just because your mind is telling you they'll think something negative that doesn't mean its true. Try flipping it to the positive - 'they'll think I'm confident in my capability and therefore I'll be an asset to the company'

Sorry for the quote fail in my post!

Original poster
ThatBliddyWoman · 13/10/2022 07:26

@SkyBlueCity that's a better way isn't it. Thanks, and thanks for the congratulations
@nonstoprenovation & @missfliss thank you for those examples of what to say, definitely need them!

@3rdtimeisacharm okay I understand that-I mean if it had have been an email or an offer via telephone call I would have expect it more. It's just with my being offered it at the end of the interview-interviewer then said something like 'What is your salary expectation as I know the pay is different for each region so I am not sure what the advertisement said.

I told her and she said due to lack of experience in X field I'd be starting on the lowest end.

OP posts:
Beautiful3 · 13/10/2022 07:27

Honestly, I'd message back to say I'd love the job but unfortunately the pay is too low. I'd need x, as that's what I'm currently on. As i cannot be financially worse off especially in this climate. See what they come back with.

Original poster
ThatBliddyWoman · 13/10/2022 07:28

@PalacePaper thank you. That's true.

Is the general consensus that to move to a new professional role one always seeks a higher pay rate, no matter what? Although this job, theyve stated they'll give me the opportunity to qualify higher while I'm there so I guess that has a value.

OP posts:
redskyhaze · 13/10/2022 07:29

Well if you're going to turn it down anyway what's the harm in negotiating?

If they've advertised a range then they have the money to pay that range.

Tell them your situation and how much you want (how much you actually want, not how much you think they might be willing to pay you).

It's a jobseekers market at the moment - take advantage of it and negotiate.

ReneBumsWombats · 13/10/2022 07:29

When something similar happened to me I told them it was less money than I was already on so unless it went to X then I was sorry, but I couldn't accept.

It went to X.

Scottishgirl85 · 13/10/2022 07:29

£2k is literally nothing to companies! Be assertive and say you cannot manage a pay cut in this climate. I'd be very surprised if they don't at least match your current salary. I would phone first then follow up by email.

ShandaLear · 13/10/2022 07:31

Go on indeed.com and look at the salaries for similar job roles. Then you can add a line to your email, ‘benchmark salary for this role is xxx, so I would be expecting to negotiate around this figure’. You should be negotiating of what the job is worth, not what you last earned. Remember also that, depending on the company and role, may be able to negotiate other things to improve the package - extra annual leave, better car allowance, private healthcare, free parking space, etc. They wouldn’t have offered you the job if they didn’t really want you, so they will likely be prepared to negotiate.

Original poster
ThatBliddyWoman · 13/10/2022 07:31

@FindingMyself1999 that is simple and to the point. Yes I really don't want to devalue myself-I am over qualified for what I do now, but the role is so easy and is from home so few expenses, I get lots of free time to do things other than work too while being paid for it (I am not taking the mick on company time, It's the nature of the role) so it has those perks. I do want more for a more involved, busy job involving a commute etc.

OP posts:
Cailin66 · 13/10/2022 07:32

Doingprettywellthanks · 13/10/2022 07:08

It doesn’t bode well re the company op

you ate very qualified and not many people applied and yet they’ve offered you the gutter salary

I disagree. They will always try and pay the lowest they can. The OP needs to aim for the top range, not what she’s on now never mind less with more costs.

Most companies have a range of pay on offer, OP needs to make it clear she will only move if they pay her appropriately.

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