Job offer help please!

[Emma84882]

Offered a job with a company that I really like, they made me an offer a couple of weeks ago, which I declined. I told them (politely) that the package wasn’t where I needed it to be (I had outlined in the interview what my salary expectations were). They have now come back to me and offered me exactly what I was looking for as a whole across the package and salary. Job is more local and would undoubtedly work better with lifestyle/family commitments than my current situation. It just doesn’t sit well with me that I had to decline it to get the package/salary that I indicated in the interview and that they didn’t offer it to me straight away. Am I being unreasonable? Just feel that they were trying to lowball me in the first place and it’s clearly in their budget to offer what I’m looking for, but appreciate that it’s business. Thanks everyone x

You’ve got what you asked for and wanted. Surely it’s part of the negotiating process.

It’s local, you like the company, the package is what you need, it fits with family life.

I'd go for it.

As it's been two weeks I would suggest it wasn't that easy for them to agree. This would normally be sorted quite swiftly. They've probably looked for other more affordable candidates and realised you are the best option and are happy to pay for your skills and experience. Everyone should now be happy. Is there something else that's putting you off about the organisations behaviour or ethics? Otherwise I'd go for it

Negotiation is an entirely normal part of the job hiring process. They offer you a starting salary, you tell them why it should be higher, they go away and think about it and come back with a revised offer. Lots of jobs work on exactly that basis - it's why adverts have a range of salary on them normally.

I would be pleased that they want you enough to increase the offer if I were you. Not sure why you feel put off.

I think this kind of negotiation is par for the course. They clearly very much want you and to be honest, as a recruiter, I think your initial refusal works in your favour as you're clearly confident enough to not need to accept the first offer you get. I would wonder whether they're going to hold off on pay increases for you since they are already paying you more than they wanted to, so I might try to sneakily find out what their normal procedure is for pay increases (i.e. if you're acquainted with anyone who works there etc), but I don't think it would worry me enough to not take the job. Congratulations on the offer!

Perhaps the recruiting managers are not the budget holders and they had to seek approval to offer what you asked for?
Lots of roles start at the bottom of the salary band.
They didn’t come back and meet in the middle so they obviously want you.
Sounds like it worked out for you.

I’d say this is part of usual negotiation. If you didn’t see/ feel any red flags during interviews, then go for the job.
Good luck! Sounds like you got all you asked for!

I would wonder whether they're going to hold off on pay increases for you since they are already paying you more than they wanted to

I'd probably take the job but this would be the thing that would concern me most. You may discover you don't get a pay rise so several years so your pay will be lower in real terms

Thanks very much all - I think you’ve all (very kindly!) made me realise that I am being hypersensitive and I am pleased about the offer. Very good point about the pay increases, I will subtly ask about salary reviews - we have a call tomorrow. They may try to balance it out over the longer term. Having said that, I would be content with this package for a good few years, so hopefully it is working for everyone.