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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - Successful Interview & Salary Negotiation

201 replies

Newjob2024 · 02/02/2024 09:36

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 :)

OP posts:
Mimami · 03/02/2024 23:46

You can just tell them what money you would accept but also you have applied for a job advertised in the range 40-50 so can't really expect them to pay more than that!

Newbalancebeam · 03/02/2024 23:58

Tell them your current salary is competitive …

Edinburgal · 04/02/2024 00:04

Im in financial services. Every job i apply for has a mandatory field as part of the online application form where you have to give your current salary. Good luck op

WineIsMyMainVice · 04/02/2024 00:09

Just also remember that salary is not the only negotiating factor here. Haggle on elements like pension contributions or flexible working arrangements if those are important to you.
Well done op!!

Diskneedisney · 04/02/2024 00:21

Edinburgal · 04/02/2024 00:04

Im in financial services. Every job i apply for has a mandatory field as part of the online application form where you have to give your current salary. Good luck op

Same, sometimes it’s a range though. They’re also quite bad for not putting the salary in the job ad. Wastes a lot of everyone’s time

blueshoes · 04/02/2024 00:55

Ametora · 03/02/2024 23:21

Chat GPT or too much sherry?

Show quote history

😂

coxesorangepippin · 04/02/2024 01:23

I'd say I'm being paid £55k now.

They will only offer you as little as they can get away with

GellerYeller · 04/02/2024 01:41

helpihaveateen · 03/02/2024 23:21

@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.

This is NOT all agencies. 35% is common in very senior appointments, no offence to OP, but not usually a £50-60K package. 20% is more likely.
The fee isn’t what’s stopping the salary increase and it’s in the recruiters interest to get OP over the line.
And they’re charging not just for ‘chatting’ but all the licences and subscriptions they need for locating candidates and advertising. Plus the risk factor of ONLY being paid if their applicant starts working for the client.
OP said this job was advertised; who knows how many people were screened out by ‘chatting’, to get to this point. Again, the fee reflects this- you pay them to save you time by submitting only suitable applicants.
If they’re good. I accept there are sharks out there of course who will just pluck a CV off the internet, then fling it out without speaking to the applicant, or putting in the work.

mjf981 · 04/02/2024 03:08

Do recruiters really make 20% + of the annual salary? So 10,000 for a 50,000 role? What an absolute pisstake. Honestly.
There's so many of them around - why have the usual rules of supply and demand come in to that profession?

telestrations · 04/02/2024 03:16

Just tell them what you'd want to leave your current job and internal promotion which should be more.

If they don't match that, don't go

BarbieDangerous · 04/02/2024 03:24

Foxblue · 03/02/2024 19:20

Can I hijack this thread and ask a very silly question in general: when they ask for current salary, what's stopping anyone from adding a few ££ on? Like, if I was on 40, could I just say I was on 45k looking for 50?

Nothing’s stopping you. I always did this pre kids when I was working full time and on a set salary. I always bumped up my salary and never had any issues. I’ve never given my new role a P45 either, to change my tax band I’d just call HMRC directly

JustMyView13 · 04/02/2024 06:29

I can only speak from my own experience but I build compensation offers as my job, and the company should be looking at market data to benchmark the salary for this role, as well as considering internal equities. In short, they’re not going to want to bring you in above someone in the team who is more experienced, and so if that person is on £50k, that’s going to be a factor that prevents you from being able to negotiate. Available budget is also a huge factor, if finance say no, it’s not happening & they’ll need to keep looking for a cheaper candidate.

Share whatever salary you want with the employer, they have no way of checking. What I will say is we can tell the difference between a realistic current package & a fabricated one (because we have access to the market data & we’re experienced in our field). When I’m asking for current package, it’s because I’m wanting to place the candidate & preempt if we think they’ll accept. It can be helpful, alongside the CV with understanding the seniority of the candidate in order to build the right offer. It can also show us if the current employer is paying below market, in which case we know we’ll be able to bag the candidate.
Unless you’re out of work then most people are looking for a step up, that’s obvious to us, so knowing current package can help to understand the likelihood of you accepting.
I’m sure some companies will use the information you share to low ball an offer, but I’ve built plenty of market equitable offers for candidates who are clearly underpaid by their current employer. I’m not going to low ball them as when you’re hiring someone, you generally hope they’ll stay. Recruiting new employees takes time and effort, most companies want to keep turnover low. Know your worth & have the confidence to decline an offer if the money isn’t right - particularly if you’ve just had a promotion & increase.

motheronthedancefloor · 04/02/2024 06:54

If the salary range was advertised at 40-50k, I think its a bit silly to expect more than that.

Starseeking · 04/02/2024 06:58

CinderellaMum · 02/02/2024 10:25

To the recruiter:

While my current salary is one factor, I believe it's important to focus on the value and skills I bring to the role. I am targeting a salary of £x, considering the responsibilities and expectations of this position.

Absolutely this. Always focus on setting out the salary you are seeking; your current salary should be irrelevant as it's not the same job.

boopboopbidoop · 04/02/2024 07:02

Wouldn't you just say, I have been on XXX but have recently been offered an internal promotion so I will be on XXXXX. I will be looking to move for remuneration over XXXXXX

PurBal · 04/02/2024 07:10

@GellerYeller wish I’d read this before I took a new job. I had this recently. Was offered £700 more than current salary. And worse off after pension. I did ask for more but was told no and I have to move for other reasons. But it’s demoralising. At least the new job has a 6 month pay review and regular pay increases written into my contract.

Sadza · 04/02/2024 07:21

It’s not just the current salary but conditions and benefits, and also the chances of future promotions and advancement. Will it provide a springboard for something else? Weigh it all up and think of a salary you’d be happy to move for and stick to it. I think they sound keen to get you so good luck. And if this one doesn’t work out you the offer should give you the confidence to keep applying for roles you want.

daisychain01 · 04/02/2024 07:40

Acatdance · 03/02/2024 19:23

You have to provide your P45 to your new employer which might give the game away!

Edited
Show quote history

You wouldn't give your P45 to your new employer until after all the negotiations are complete and possibly some time after you've started the job, which could be after a 1 month + notice period. Also the P45 may end up in a completely different team depending on the company size, which could be separate to the recruitment team, so the dots wouldn't get joined there.

Kathryn1983 · 04/02/2024 07:40

You don't need to disclose your salary
ask them for the MRP salary range
or do your homework and pitch at what you would expect it to be at no less than 85% of what's the mid point

Kathryn1983 · 04/02/2024 07:43

Also ask for the full package
private medical
company car
car allowance
hybrid working
mat leave
sick leave
pension etc
i have moved in the past for a pay cut but the package was significantly better and 2 babies later I'd say it was worth the move

daisychain01 · 04/02/2024 07:44

I'd be quite put off by a company asking my current salary, none of their business. They are looking to fill a vacancy and their job on offer will attract a salary range commensurate with the skills and expertise they need. If you've been successful at interview they will know you've got the skills and experience, and if they want you to start with them they shouldn't be cheapskates trying to save a few quid by offering you a minimal raise from your current salary.

think what they're going to be like at end of year review time if they're having to penny pinch now. This is meant to be the honeymoon period when they're trying to attract you away from your current employer!

LBOCS2 · 04/02/2024 07:48

I always give the question a bit of a swerve and say "I would be looking for at least xx to move". There are lots of factors to consider, not just pay when you're moving roles.

Backinthedress · 04/02/2024 07:57

PlanBea · 02/02/2024 13:58

Some wording I thought was good was "I'm currently interviewing for roles in the region of (eg £55-65k). I can be flexible depending on the benefits package but I would be expecting this role to be comparative to similar jobs in the market". Good luck!

Ooh, this is good. I'm going to make a note of this in case I need to job hunt again soon (sadly its a possibility)

Teateaandmoretea · 04/02/2024 08:05

Yanbu but by the sound of it they aren’t going to meet your salary expectations. Thats also perfectly reasonable.

Brackenfield · 04/02/2024 08:47

I always give my "current salary" as my "current package" and add on a few £k that reflects the convenience etc of my current job, knowing the systems etc, any wfh or other benefits you've accrued. It's not a lie, but it's not my on payslip salary, it's what the job is worth to me