NHS job offer; advice please regarding salary negotiation

[copycat]

I have been verbally offered a NHS clerical job but have not yet discussed salary. The bottom of the pay scale is too low for me to accept but as I have not worked for the NHS before I suspect that this is the level I will be offered.

I have been advised that HR will be in touch to organise CRB checks and to request proof of ID etc but I don't know if initial contact from them will be in writing or by telephone. If I am likely to receive a letter confirming the job offer and the salary I am wondering whether to pre-empt the anticipated low pay scale offer by calling HR tomorrow to discuss the matter? The alternative is to wait and see what salary I am offered but I figure that it will be more difficult to negotiate pay after a written salary offer has been made?

I hope I have been clear; shall I phone HR to discuss the salary or wait for a written offer or maybe a phone call from them? I'd be grateful for any advice.

Thank you.

Wait. Always wait. When negotiating salary it is never a good idea to make the first move. Only show your cards when you have to!

You may be surprised on what they offer you. Then putting an offer in writing won't affect your negotiating position.

you will indeed be offered the bottom of the banding. the knowledge skills framework (KSF) is set alongside the pay and to get further up the banding you'll need to prove you've already met the subset ksf for the role. technically, you should have already been given this but if they are anything like our trust you won't have seen it.

tbh you are probably best speaking to someone now. in my experience its only those at band 7 and above that seem to get what they want.

I've never succeeded in moving applicants up paybands even when they are qualified above the banding (I have nurses in band 3 and 4 posts, who both started at the bottom of band and i argued for them)

Thank you seeyouokay and twinklytoes for replying

I received a provisional job offer in the post today enclosing a CRB form and health questionnaire which I have to return to HR by hand along with proof of ID etc. As the letter did not provide details of the salary I imagine that I will have the opportunity to discuss the pay banding when I drop off the forms. It doesn't look hopeful from what you say though twinkytoes, although I have read on other discussion forums of staff who have started NHS employment on a mid banding salary point.

Thank you again. I shall try to remain both optimistic and realistic!

What did it say in the job advert in terms of pay band or salary? If you are already in an NHS job getting same salary, you will get the next point up, if not it will be the bottom. All opportunities for negotiating pay in the NHS was eradicated when Agenda for Change came in. You can try but its not up for 'personal' negotiation' like it used to be sadly. if someone got mid-point banding it will have been advertised as such..sorry..

Hey copycat, how did you get on? I'm in a similar position, I didn't realise you are automatically given the lowest point and have been offered a great job but could in no way afford to take it at the bottom point of the salary scale. I had no idea when I applied, wish they had made it clear in the ad!

None of the letters I've been sent have even mentioned salary so I'm not sure how/when to raise it, although there doesn't seem to be much point.