'Based on experience' salary range...

[KatoPotato]

Hoping someone can help. I've just had first interview for a job that has a salary range of 35-40k 'based on experience.'

I have 10 years experience in my field, and in my current role I've stuck on a much lower salary because the hours and benefits have suited my family.

How do I go about requesting the higher range while I'm clearly on a lower salary right now? I would only move for more money because I'd have to increase my hours and therefore my childcare... do I still have a leg to stand on when I'm not even actually earning the lower portion of their range?

Hope this makes sense!

Maybe because it says based on experience, not based on current salary? Sell yourself, value yourself.

You need to negotiate. These things are always a negotiation. Anyone who takes the first salary offered to them (if it is not a set salary scenario) is a shmuck and anyone who is not willing to lower their expectations is their own worst enemy. Just explain to them, that because if increased hours and the cost of childcare etc it would not be feasible for you to take such a low sum-are they willing to offer you more or to offer a flexible working arrangement?

I would focus 100% on the value you could add to their organisation and not about your childcare expenses. It isn't their issue.

It entirely depends on the first offer you get, as to what counter offer you go back with. And how badly you want the job. Hopefully they offer you more than the lowest range - if they only offer 35K (the lowest range) it could be they have more than one possible choice of candidate.

In that scenario I'd counter offer £39K because if you ask for the top of their range you may lose out to someone who's willing to take a lower amount. It depends on whether the company offers you scope for advancement as you could get other opportunities when you have your foot in the door.

I always find these salary negotiation scenarios difficult because there are so many factors to take into consideration!

Thanks so much for your replies. Even as I read it back to myself it is pretty self explanatory! I'm being very previous, as I've not even had an offer yet, but she mentioned at interview that I had the experience she was finally looking for!

I wouldn't go banging on about childcare, it's just I feel I've let myself down a bit career wise by not valuing myself enough in my current role to ask for a salary increase to date. L

Appreciate everyone's input, I'll keep you posted.

I've gone in with aggressive requests in my last three roles. I've got my extra every time and am currently sat at 40% more than the opening offer less than a year after joining.

Push - the worst they can say is no - particularly if you have an in demand set of skills.

If your skills are hard to source then you stand a stronger chance of your counter offer being accepted but also think whether the company offers a good longer term prospect for openings. Also consider total package offered not just base salary.

Since you genuinely wouldn't be prepared to leave unless you got a pay rise you have nothing to lose by playing hardball. Don't mention cost of childcare, but say (informally) "My current job has a particularly good work life balance which is why the salary is lower than you might expect for my experience and responsibilities but I feel ready to step things up for career progression. I'm looking for a salary of 38,000."

OP. Do what Daisychain01 says. Don't mention wrk/life at all as it just puts ideas in their heads you don't want there. The only relevant topics are the value you add and what share of it (i.e. Salary and benefits) you want.

If you get an offer it's because you are better than the other candidates. If you get a bottom of the range the others were inadequate therefore your skills are in demand therefore ask for more. If you get bottom of the range then you were appearing cheaper than others who wanted more, so why accept less than them?

Once the offer is made they can only say no to your bid for more money so think of this as post-agreement negotiation. You have what you want, the offer, so now anything else is a bonus.

The time this doesn't apply is when you have a bottom line to move higher than the range minimum in which case it needs to be said up front to avoid wasting time.