Taking a job with lower pay

[alazuli]

So I'm through to the second - and final - round of interviews for this job. It's a few grand lower than what I'm on now. I was asked my salary expectations after I applied and was told that they could only offer so much.

I think I have a really good chance of getting this job. If I do how would I go about negotiating higher pay considering they told me they couldn't equal my pay now?

It's an amazing company and it would be too good an opportunity to pass up.

It may be that you simply can't.
Are there any other perks that make it worth you while? Fewer hours? More annual leave? Better pension?

If they asked you your expectations and told you they can only offer you so much then if you can't accept it, I think you'd be wasting both parties time if you went ahead with the second interview.

I'm always upfront about salaries when recruiting, if people are on a few grand more, but carry on with their application, I assume that they are OK with it and will be saving in other ways e.g. shorter commute, less hours, better work etc.

It absolutely drives me insane when people go through the whole process knowing the salary has a cap and then try and push is beyond that.

The highest level is usually there for a reason!

No, I'd accept it even with the lower pay. Not been in this position before and just wanted to check if it was acceptable to negotiate. I see now it's not! Thanks for the advice.

Is there anything else you could ask for that would counter the drop in salary? Less hours a week, training courses or a flexible working arrangement?

I've just been in your shoes. I've taken the job on a lower salary than my current one, with no chance of progression to a higher pay scale. I decided that it's worth doing for a job that I really want.
Good luck to you.

There's nothing wrong with negotiating in general but you've already had the conversation about your expectations v. their top whack, and decided to carry on with your application fully aware of that. Too late!

They said they could not equal your pay now. When can they equal it? Are you able to get more clarity around this?