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 :)

My place (public sector) requires evidence of the current ‘package’ if selected candidates seek salary over what’s advertised. If this isn’t provided that’s a negative factor when the case is considered.

@Loopytiles , I guess public sector salary ranges are visible though, so if you are a grade 4, as an example, the salary is pretty transparent?

@elessar not the same situation but i work in financial services. We always have to give previous salary and often desired salary during the interview process as mandatory fields to complete in the application. About 10 years ago i was offered a job at Lloyds Bank. The hr person i dealt with told me that my salary was outwith the normal range for a new person coming in but they really wanted me so i had to send them my pay slips so they could get aporoval to have the higher salary signed off based on what i had told them i earned before and i what i would accept. I dont no how common this is but i hadnt inflated my salary so i just sent the payslips.

I have previously answered this question with "I'm not willing to move for less than X" (usually communicated with the recruiter rather than directly with the new employer.

It tells them what they need to know without revealing your new salary.

People may be able to interview well, but as a recruiting manager I will be looking past solely the interview "best behaviour" at the substance of their responses. the successful candidate will have come across with credibility and will be able to give good quality examples of their experience of leading and motivating a team, dealing with conflict effectively, thinking strategically. That's not stuff you can make up, you have to have achieved it. It isn't hard to see through the talk if someone isn't authentic. Often when people make big bold claims of what they've done, there are inconsistencies across the whole interview that ring alarm bells.

And actually there are many people who have great potential and who may be only earning a £30k salary so could be grossly under valued and just need to be given an opportunity to shine. I've found a few like that and they haven't needed to tell me their salary, their attitude, qualifications and experience give me the insights I need.

I wouldn’t reply to that bit, I would just say “I’m really excited about this opportunity but need to weigh it against the promotion at my current workplace. I would need £54k to make the move worthwhile. If you could get back to me by xxx please. Many thanks.”

I dont no if its different out with financial services but in the big banks, you cannot negotiate conditions eg. Pension etc. These are company wide benefits and everyone is on a standard contract. Salary is all you can get them to move on.

There's no harm in asking a company to negotiate on benefits, even if the answer is no.

At my current role, they initially offered a matched employers pension contribution of 5%., so 10% overall. At my previous job employer contribution was 12% and mine was 8%, taking it to 20% overall.

Negotiating my package on the way in, I asked them to match the employer contribution, and I would put in 5%, and they did.

So now I have 17% total salary into pension on a salary that's 30% higher than my old job where I was getting 20% overall into pension.

When I started at the job I was shocked to find I was the only person out of circa 500 on these pension terms (I know this for a fact because I approve payroll).

Never exclude yourself from a benefit at work, let the employer say yes/no instead.

Lots of places will ask you for your current salary mostly to see can they afford you. I would say it’s immaterial what I’m earning now as A I have been offered an internal promotion and B this is my minimum salary requirement.

Don't move jobs unless it excites you - the role and the package. Stick to your guns. Companies do move out of range for the right candidate. The cost/time/effort of searching for another candidate can be off putting. I have typically negotiated 25% pay rise and if I have multiple offers then up to 35%. It does happen and you are worth it.

I'd reiterate that I was expecting more, and that they had told you there was room for negotiation. If they won't budge on the salary, suggest that they might enhance the benefits package. If they won't do either, then unless you really want the job for other reasons (location, job title, working conditions, whatever) I'd pass. I was once told in a job interview, when I asked for more ££, that "it wasn't only about the money". My reply was that while it wasn't only about the money, it was partly about the money, and that if they couldn't offer something else to offset the money (eg holidays/hours) , then I wasn't interested. I got the money.

Check glass door to see how much the position you're going for is usually paid to then say that this is a competitive market salary. A friend negotiated recently this way with HR who kept saying the salary was not negotiable

It’s more about the principle of lying @elessar

I work in financial services where one lie could be a breach of the conduct rules which would be stated on a reference and hence meaning someone is no longer employable.

For salary it is much better to not disclose rather than inflate the amount

Theres some excellent people working in recruitment and some not so great. The role of the recruiter should be as much about supporting and representing the candidate as it is about the employer

Assuming there is wiggle room above the top end in your industry: ‘I’m really excited by this opportunity, and would hope you’d match industry standards for this role which are between £52-56k. I’d be happy to accept an offer in the middle of this scale. I’m not comfortable disclosing my current salary as I’m not sure why it’s relevant to this post.’

In my industry, however, lowest end of salary scale is standard unless you can prove your current salary takes you over. There is not wiggle room to go over the allocated ‘top end’ for your scale because the bands are union negotiated. So if they advertise a band 5 40-50k, you wouldn’t go for it if you wanted or were already earning above 50. They won’t elevate the band because it’s an equal ops thing (you can’t change the job you advertised to something different because those who could have applied haven’t had change to do so). So does depend on the specific circumstance/industry problem .

They will find out you’re lying when you give them your P45

No, you can just fill out a new starter declaration form

Honestly the way recruitment is handled these days drives me nuts.
Ive had 2 companies hound me on LinkedIn about a vacancy they have in my area of expertise over the last few weeks. I’m not really interested in leaving my current company due to the flexibility and great benefits. After a bit of back and forth I agreed to speak to the internal recruiters over the phone. Both of them went on about how I’d be perfect for the role and that they’d set me up an interview with the recruiting managers ASAP. Was very clear that my salary expectations were £85k plus (20% payrise which is fair because I am underpaid in my company due to starting on a low salary over 10 years ago and I’d lose my security) otherwise I didn’t want to waste anyone’s time interviewing. Both said that was absolutely fine and well within budget. Not heard a thing since these calls over a week ago 😂 I don’t care to be honest but don’t bullsh*t me and at least have the decency to say I’m not being considered 😂

If your position is that you won't accept a job below £52k or £54k then your current salary is irrelevant.

All they need to know is that it wont be worth your while to move unless the salary is £ whatever you will accept.

There is nothing to stop you lying but you could get caught out and that wouldn’t be the best start to a new job! Many companies only provide a reference of basic facts these days and that can include the current salary. My current company discloses start date, end date and end salary as their reference

I was told by a recruiter / coach to talk in terms of 'total compensation' not salary. Meaning including benefits. So your base pay, any bonus, any holidays over statutory minimums, health care, pension, employee discounts if they are material (eg if you work for a supermarket and get 10% off your weekly shop, not an occasional discounted cinema ticket) and other benefits such as car / parking / meals provided etc.

At the workplace I was at at the time we got 50% off gym membership, free parking (not the norm in this city), a subsidized cafeteria and stock options, all of which made their way into the total compensation number.

This way you are not lying, and not selling yourself short.

You have to give them a p45

A job advertised as 40-50k means negotiation between that to me, not above. So no room for negotiation unless they really want you, but it is 14k over their lowest offer. Depending on the type of company they may not have scope to go above.
Recruitment agents usually put forward anyone suitable and try to wangle it in their best interests.

They usually do this from an applicant POV that the applicant isn't over qualified and is suited to the role. Ie if someone is applying for a 25k position but allegedly comes from 50k position it raises flags.

Nothing stopping you but we have rejected several candidates on the basis of looking overpaid - maybe someone will accept the salary they are suggesting but our feedback to the recruiters would be overpaid not enough experience and it’s not that we don’t believe them - there has been a bit of excessive salary increases in our industry and consequently rebalancing through lots of redundancies - we aren’t going to pick up the problem by adding more £££ to someone’s salary.

No you don’t.