To negotiate salary?

[bronzepigs]

So number 1 question(s):

Have been offered a job which I really want however the starting salary is lower than my current one.There is a range listed on the advert, I've been offered the lowest.

Is it reasonable to suggest they pay me slightly higher that what I'm currently on? Or should I just be asking them to match? I know I was the first choice, have significant exp prob beyond other candidates and met all the desireable criteria.

And number 2:
I'm actually london weighted, so even if they match my current it's still a salary drop which is a bit annoying. But I'm guessing this shouldn't feature into the conversation as it's kind of irrelevant? FWIW I would stay living in London and commute so it will impact me financially.

I HATE talking about money, the convo is with my potential boss rather than an HR person which makes me feel more awkward, so any tips or advice appreciated!

In his original email he said the salary was flexible and we could discuss, so there is clearly a little bit of room for negotitation

You've posted in covid?

Of course you aren't unreasonable.

If you have a bit of time, have a look at Future Learn, there's a free course on there about women negotiating salaries (ie tips about how to do so). It might help you feel more confident. If you are having trouble finding it, let me know and I'll dig out the link

Absolutely negotiate. It is expected and you would be insane not to.

In my last move they upped my initial offer and also guaranteed a further increase after 12 months.

The job market is hot right now, you should be in a good bargaining position.

I’d go read the “ask a manager” blog and absolutely negotiate the salary!!!

100% make sure ask for a higher salary than you’re on.

Please PLEASE negotiate. I absolutely hate that women are paid less than men because we hate talking about money and don't negotiate.

Get back to them, saying you are delighted with the offer and very excited at the prospect of working with them but the money doesn't work for you. Don't take a salary drop unless this is absolutely the job of your dreams and typically has a lower income bracket than your current line of work. If it is within your existing career then the money should be higher than what you are on with weighting. Ie if, inclusive of weighting you are on 30k it needs to be above 30k.

I always say, 'The higher end of your salary scale would work for me. I can't accept less. It would be a step down which I can't justify even though I really want this job!'

Or should I just be asking them to match?

Why? Where has the "should" come from?

People move jobs to get a salary increase. You're not performing a public service here by depressing your salary.

The upper limit on your salary is what they're prepared to pay. Don't artificially depress it out of some misguided sense of obedience / gratitude.

Ask for what you're worth, not what you received before.

@formalineadeline

Or should I just be asking them to match?

Why? Where has the "should" come from?

People move jobs to get a salary increase. You're not performing a public service here by depressing your salary.

The upper limit on your salary is what they're prepared to pay. Don't artificially depress it out of some misguided sense of obedience / gratitude.

Ask for what you're worth, not what you received before.

Thank you! I needed to read this.

It's an academic position where there is significant employment insecurity & it's not a job seekers market. I think I've really internalised the idea that I should be grateful to be employed at all!

Do you need to move jobs? Don't move for less money!

I've just done exactly this.

Emailed back on receipt of offer and said:

"Many thanks for the formal offer of employment. I'm very excited to join your organisation, I see that the salary offered is at the lower end of the range advertised. Given my experience and level of qualification is there room to negotiate this?"

Or words to this effect.

They came back with a jump up a couple of points, with another jump at 6 months, and then up to top end of scale at 1 year.

@UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea

Do you need to move jobs? Don't move for less money!

Yes - I'm an academic where short term contracts are the norm. I could maybe find something far higher paid if I stayed on the job market for longer, but realistically my contract ends quite soon and I don't think my nerves can take it

This is also a genuinely really exciting position in an area I love (and the location is great too), it's just the salary that is the sticking point

Agree with all the points that pp have made. I especially like the point "the higher end of the scale would work for me". I'm also quite a fan of the phrase "modest uplift" as it implies getting more, but not being greedy.

So something like "I would be happy to accept an offer at the higher end of the scale, which would provide a modest uplift". Then if they say no, there's room for "unfortunately that doesn't work for me" and hit a middle ground.

Also, OP, just to add.....academic institutions (as I'm sure you already know!) often offer the lowest salary point as a matter of protocol. Negotiating with your future boss will probably be easier than fighting with HR as he presumably gets final sign off.

Back in the days when I was in academia, I once negotiated a 2.5 year contract on a higher salary rather than 3 years on a lower one. Could something like that work for you?

@NotRainingToday

Also, OP, just to add.....academic institutions (as I'm sure you already know!) often offer the lowest salary point as a matter of protocol. Negotiating with your future boss will probably be easier than fighting with HR as he presumably gets final sign off.

Back in the days when I was in academia, I once negotiated a 2.5 year contract on a higher salary rather than 3 years on a lower one. Could something like that work for you?

ah thank you for this thought - it is a long contract so I'd be happy for that as a solution

Yes, of course you should negotiate!

Base what you ask for on your skills and experience and what the job is worth, not on what you need. You should always be pushing for a significant increase when you move jobs - it will be the best chance you have to increase your earnings, as wages don’t rise fast. If they want you, they will have a budget they can call on. Try for something well up the pay scale if you have good prior experience.

Good luck - remember they want you, so they need to be prepared to pay for you!

Don't start by negotiating the contract as shorter though! Ask for the higher salary and if they refuse that is the next decision to make.

OP, I do appreciate how hard it is in the academic gig economy to think you 'deserve' proper pay for your exceptional dedication to your subject. But you do, and like everyone in the arts, academics need to hold onto their worth to prevent a steady downgrade. I turn down work at one of the most prestigious unis in the world because it pays £18ph (I know. It allegedly reflects the hours of prep and admin too.Hah! They think the prestige feeds families.) Same job elsewhere: £56p(contact)h. I accepted that job. Hold tight.

Ask for what you think you're worth and stick to it. I've never received an under offer so far and always been given what I asked (which was a good, but fair amount).

Negotiating a higher salary is the best part for me.

Know your worth, OP.

Go for it, OP! And good luck 🤞🏻