Salary negotiations - what to do if they refuse?

[PeppermintInfusion]

For the first time ever I need to negotiate my salary for a new role (previously I've never had to do this personally, as either my figure was accepted or a recruiter negotiated on my behalf).
Now I've read up on salary negotiating and had a pretty good idea how to go about it anyway, so I know how I'll pitch it but my question is around what to do if they refuse?
I would probably still take the job anyway, tbh, but I'm wondering if entering into negotiations means I need to decline if we don't reach a salary we are both happy with?

Is it a new role in the same company?

Kind of, I am freelancing for the company at the minute

OK. So presumably you'll put forward what you think the job is worth and they'll either agree or come back with a counter-offer.

If that figure doesn't match your expectation, I would ask for some time to go away and think about it. Then, if you're still not in agreement, come back and say that unfortunately you will have to turn down their offer. That will either prompt them to come up meet your requirement or you'll go your separate ways.

So be 100% sure that you're confident of your decision at that stage and factor in extra £££ to give them room for manoeuvre.

Good luck.

Go back with something a little higher than what you'd accept - not stupidly so.

That gives them something to negotiate with.

It would be very unusual for them not to negotiate at all, and I wouldn't work with them in that case - it would suggest that they don't value the position. Most, if not all, job offers are designed so that there is some negotiation room for the right candidate.

Yes I'm not asking for a massive increase (around 10% more), and plan to ask for just slightly more than that to give some room to negotiate down.

If you're freelancing, are you paid through the company's payroll or are you self employed and paid via invoice?

I would expect self employed freelancers to be paid more than salaried staff as the freelancer will be responsible for their own NI, holidays etc.

Just a heads up really that if you are moving from self employed freelancer to employee, the company may expect to pay you less as you now get paid holidays, sick leave, job security etc as well as the employers NI and pension costs they'll now be liable for. They may as well keep you on as a freelancer as it will be cheaper for them.

Apologies if this doesn't make sense or doesn't apply - I'm trapped under a screaming baby

10% would be a massive increase in my company, are your duties going to be considerably increased?

I'm self employed so taking a big pay cut, as obviously don't get annual leave/pension/bonus/other benefits at the min. I want to go perm for the long term job prospects and the ability to have these benefits. I've accounted for that, but I would actually be taking on more responsibility than I have now, and the salary I have in mind is not high for perm roles in the type company/type of work I'd be doing and it's quite niche work also.
10% is in an industry where you typically get 5% increase a year on average. I think the salary initially offered is the bottom of the salary range, I'd be aiming for the middle of that and what be what I've been paid for perm roles of a similar level.

Good luck, hope all goes well.

Thanks, think I just need to phrase it in a way I don't end up having to decline if they don't offer an increase.