AIBU - Successful Interview & Salary Negotiation

[Newjob2024]

I applied for a job a few weeks ago and put on the job application what my current salary was. The recruitment consultant called me the following week and I was very honest that, since applying, I have been offered an internal promotion at work. She assured me that the salary was negotiable and that the Company were keen to meet with me.

I have subsequently had an informal chat with the MD and 2 interviews. I was offered the job this morning but the recruitment consultant said that, before they put an offer in writing, they want to know what my current salary is (basic + bonus) so they know what to offer. I went back and explained that I wouldn't be looking to move for the same as I would see this as a step up in my career. She then indicated that there wouldn't be any wriggle room in the salary range.

For context, the job offer was advertised as £40-£50k and I was seeking £54k. AIBU to have expected some salary negotiations when I raised this at the start and was told there would be room for negotiations? Does anyone have any tips on how I could professionally go back to not give my current salary away, as in my view it is irrelevant (and is very clear I am not on a lot less as I have all the skills and experience to do the role).

TIA :)

@Foxblue absolutely nothing. You don’t even have to provide your P45 any more.

Absolutely nothing, people do it all the time. Companies have no way of checking your salary. A few times I put a ridiculous sum on there because I was not employed at the time, just freelancing so as far as they know my freelance work does earn me £150k a year lol

Also worth checking online what the current market rates are for the role/location. That way you've benchmarking your request against the industry average. Which you can use to counter any lower offers.

Thanks all! Have wondered about that for ages!!

You dont need to answer the question directly - just tell them it would have to be 54K or you could not consider it.

You don't need to forward a P45 you can just sign a starter declaration.

Even year to date figures prove very little as you could have been on your current salary for a short period

Do not lie, but also no need to disclose. You only make decent jumps in pay when moving jobs so don't miss your chance

I typed out a whole post then scrolled back and saw this one. I agree with this. It kind of leaves me with a bit of a sour taste that they're even asking tbh.

This sounds like a piss take to be honest.
It is not the new companies fault that you get a promotion since their initial offer and now would see their initial pay scale as a side step ( I presume you were happy with the pay before you got your promotion)

This thread is so weird. You never tell them your REAL salary, you always add on extra!

Honestly, women are their own worst enemy.

I'd expect the negotiation to be within the range £40-50k, not above it! Possible sector dependent, but many jobs they expect to recruit at the lowest spine point of the salary range and you need to negotiate to go any higher. But the £50k would be the top point for that grade.

“I am currently interviewing for roles between 55-65k plus bens”

Ikr? This really explains the pay gap

It’s perfectly reasonable for them to want to know your current package. It’s also totally reasonable for you to expect an uplift

This really annoys me, they should pay you what you are worth and your current salary has no relevance. Recruiters do this all the time.

Id specify your expectations and say unfortunately you won’t leave for less. I work in HR and whilst we ask fir current salary the current market means we pay what the job is worth even if this means a huge uplift for the candidate, we’ve sometimes paid more than they’ve asked for

I have previously responded with something along the lines of: ‘Well as you know, I have been internally promoted and to ensure I have all information available before making a decision, I would love to know what the budget/offer is for the role…’ Recruiters don’t like candidates walking away from an offer because 1 it affects their reputation and 2 it costs them money! When they tell you oh it’s 50K you counter offer say 57K and negotiate down from that.

If I’m ever asked, I refuse to disclose on the basis that disclosing current salary is known to disadvantage women in the workplace, and have never had anyone push for it. Fwiw last job move I took a 22k salary increase and I’m just interviewing two years later for a 20k salary increase.

channel your inner man and get hustling.

Never disclose your salary. Just tell them what you want, stick to it and be prepared to walk away. Companies who ask for your salary are just trying to keep their costs down. https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/endsalaryhistory

When recruiting I always asked “what’s your expected salary for this role”, and only put them forward for consideration for interview if they were in (or, if a particularly strong contender, just over) budget. Waste of everyone’s time otherwise.
I also wouldn’t ask about current salary because people then tend to offer a minimal, incremental raise and as PPs have said, gender pay gap, hello…

I used to work in HR and I suspect this might be an external recruitment consultant rather than a recruiter working in the company? They basically lie to both parties, their aim is to bring great candidates to the organisation hiring them, to make themselves look good. It's happened several times from the company perspective when I've gone back saying "they look expensive/are probably too good for the role/work for a higher paying competitor" - they basically tell both sides that there's wiggle room (without being specific) in the hope that either someone budges or at the very least they can say they've brought in x number of candidates to interview and therefore are doing a good job. It's so frustrating! Stick to your guns, you know your worth. I'd simply say "whilst my current salary is x, I'm negotiating on an internal promotion so would only be interested in roles offering over £54k" and then see what they say.... If they just come in 1k above your current salary, stick to your guns. They should be benchmarking the role, understanding the cost of the skills and experience that they want and the current market and then they should pay what the role is worth - don't take it to heart if they don't and don't sell yourself short. Starting a new role feeling annoyed at the salary is never a good beginning!

Well done on the offer lovely. I think the fact they want your current salary to offer you the job is a red flag. That shows they’ll try to low ball you. I always make it my way to turn it back round on the recruiter and say what do you have to offer or what’s the band of the job and I’ll confirm if it’s within my expectations.

that being said if the salary on the job ad was up to 50k that’s likely all they get signed off and they aren’t likely to offer more. They should be able to give you a verbal offer at least, and then I’d turn around and say is that the best you can do, my current compensation package has now been enhanced to 50k. They might not exceed it, but nothing ventured, nothing gained

Our children don't care of they are asked that as when they are moving jobs, they are seeking an increase in benefits inc salary. They often negotiate WFH contracts this is before covid and tell the company what kind of salary the are looking at . They use employment recruiters I think you call them and out children send of their CV or whatever its called these days then have a chat with the recruiter who fixes up and interview and two of out children have never failed an interview and they decide if to go there of not. But as they got older, they have finally spoke to us about settling down with a major employer who treats them well and room for promotions and pay increased and bonuses etc

If you know you have the skills/abity etc, let them chase you and dont sell yourself short - tell them that this is how much you want or you are not interested if you got what it takes.

I was not ambitious by our children are as well as my OH was. I stayed a grade below senior staff and I demonstrated I had more knowledge than them but ensured they did not take advantage of this and in turn I could complete my assessments, follow ups in half the time of most other staff at my grad. In turn I more time to relax, banter, enjoy my work

Many private sector roles don't have "spine points" or "grades". You're paid what you can negotiate.

@Newjob2024 the recruiter is on a promise of a fee for placing you of AT LEAST 20% of your annual salary, probably more like 35% at that level of salary.

so at £50k they’re after a fee of £10k-£17.5k for chatting to you and putting forward to CV!

at £60k they’re after a fee of £12k-£21k !!

make them work for it!! They’re using you like “stock” to sell on !!

the higher they negotiate for you, the higher their fee …. They could always drop their percentage to get you in the role at an increased salary & get them some fee ! …. Suggest that to them!

if you have a promotion with a higher salary, why (as you’ve said) should you change companies, lose existing employment rights and net them a big fee!?? … they all to do all the work again if you back out now.

Chat GPT or too much sherry?

I never understand what current salary has to do with anything.
It shouldn’t even be discussed imo.