AIBU - Payrise when moving to a new firm.

[Silentnight2017]

I need some advise!

I work 5 days a week but part time hours - a mix of full days and shorter days.

I am looking to move firms - same hours, same type of role but more detailed job description but as I haven't had a significant payrise for a good few years, ie nothing that makes a big difference in take home pay after tax etc. So moving jobs is an opportunity for a pay rise I think.

I have been offered a new job, same hours, but works out around £50 a month extra after deductions etc. I want to request a salary gives me an extra £150 - £200 a month. I work just under 30 hours a week. That type of increase would require £4-5K on a full time scale, in real terms for my salary, would be just over £2.5k increase on a pro rata basis. Am thinking long term - that I probably won't get another significant pay rise once and if I move!

Is it unreasonable to request what the pay bands are in that actual firm? How do people do their research.

I would be interested to know what kind of jump other people have negotiated. And any tips! This is new territory for me.

Try researching the company on glassdoor.com it may help to compare roles/pay.

Not all companies have pay bands - but there published salary surveys - failing that do a job search or the job you want and see what kind of salaries are published for comparison. Also, salary bands will vary across sectors

Also for £4-5k pa increase - I would be expecting to take on more responsibility (that is being manager of a team or job-related repsosnbility)

Are you a woman?

Ask them - set out your stall; your capacity to deliver xyz, your experience and ask for a rise. They can only say no. Don't tie yourself up in knots over it. Men don't engage in this sort of rationalising they just ask.

Just say 'thanks very much for the offer, this is very exciting - would you be willing to raise the salary to x though?'

They might not be able to match what you want but companies will usually try to move a little if they can as they want you to start off on a positive note. And if they can't, at least you asked.

I'm not sure what industry you're in, OP, but to not have had a pay rise for a very long time and not to be expecting one again in the future sounds a little odd - it sounds like you need to work on your confidence a bit!

In my current firm, they always say that the 'salaries are very high in comparison to other firms' at appraisal times.

A few of my old colleagues have moved - one was junior and got a significant rise and another colleague along the same lines as me got a rise of £4k. Both work full time.

Have looked on glassdoor but this new is very tight on information on the internet! Could do with it being a smaller firm.

I have had small payrise over the years, as in £400 here and there..if I have been lucky! Not a significant one for nearly 8 years!

Just ask! Say thanks for the offer, but I was looking for closer to £x amount.. (a couple of grand higher than what you actually want, so you can meet in the middle)

If you don’t ask you won’t get! As PP have said, ask for something a bit higher than what you are looking for and meet in the middle.
Prepare yourself for spelling out how wonderful you are.

OP I used to be a negoiator for freelance pay rates for others. It's fine to ask but never be the first to mention an actual figure.
Start by saying how excited you are about the job offer and how much you look forward to (something they really value and need from you.) Then ask, is the salary offered within a scale? Be bold and say it is a little below what you expect for the role. Ask if there's any wiggle room/negotiation (but don't mention the figure.) If they ask you for a figure, say that on a pale scale of between what they offered and £5k above what they offered, that you would typically be looking at the higher end of that range. Then say you'll leave it with them and pull the conversation back to how brilliant the job is.
This works. It's always worked for me.

Thank all.

I have 17 years experience in my field. Even after my interview, they said I am highly skilled and would fit the firm.

On the call yesterday, I find out they offered me less than the normal starting rate for my role!! There was some miscommunication about my expectations on salary and they based it on that - which was wrong but also I think the very least they should have done was match the starting salary.

They upped up but I am now sticking to my original 'expectation' figure though the more I think about it, the more I should have asked!! I mean LESS than the starting salary??

And I was so stressed thinking was I being unreasonable with my expectation...

Clear example of you don't ask, you don't get!

But am so shocked. Though I shouldn't be!

All employees offer what they think they can get away with. One job made me an offer. It was the lowest wage I had been offered this century!