Offer lower salary than advertised

[Skippii]

So, I’ve been head hunted for a post with a new global employer, but now they’re not keen on offering the advertised salary. It is a significant increase on my current salary, largely because I’ve worked with my current employer for years, and my salary didn’t change when my job role did.

They are unhappy with the gap from current to new salary, while admiting the new salary is in band for the role, and market rates. They are unable to find anyone else with the skills, despite trying for ages.

Anyway, I’m tempted to tell them to forget it, however I’m worried I will face this with any new employer.

Should I take an interim 1-2 year role to bridge the gap? Maybe this role could be that interim? But I like the team/role/workplace,,,, so.....

Conflicted. Recruiter getting back to me tomorrow with some kind of offer hopefully so will see. Any thoughts?

Things like this are why there’s a gender pay gap. Annoys me. They think they can get away paying you less because you are underpaid currently. But the reason many people are underpaid is because they are a woman so this type of practice just exacerbated the problem.

I’d be looking up the relevant laws on advertising job descriptions and salaries.
I would go back to them and explain that you were only interested in the position at the advertised salary. And if you have to, then enter into negotiations. And if still not satisfied, no thanks!
Bloody cheek tho, wouldn’t even do this to a man....which might be another point of employment law.?

Advertised rate or it’s a no go.

If the employer is prepared to fuck you over at this stage, they will also fuck you over under contract.

I’d state they clearly have the budget for that role, you’ll accept the advertised role for the advertised salary. Balls in their court.

From my experience it happens to men too. It's rubbish practice. Sadly, common.

It wasn’t actually advertised, it was a direct approach, some interviews, then the post opened for a few days (no salary) , and my official application.

I think I’ll tell them to honour the initial salary or pay some contractor £500 a day while I work elsewhere

I wouldn't work for a company on principle, that I couldn't trust because they shift the goalposts.

Pulling a stunt like this so early on in the relationship, when they are meant to be enticing you to join them says they don't value you sufficiently. And once you'd been there a while they'd have no compunction in pegging you down and giving you lame excuses.

I'd relish the opportunity to tell a company like them that I'd changed my mind and been given a better offer elsewhere. That would wipe the smile off their face.

To be fair the recruiter will be trying to get you the highest amount as they'll be on a percent of it.

Check out your own company and their company online for gender pay gap - I'm sure it's public

Next, ask what skills you're lacking to make them think you're not eligible for the salary advertised. Check the essential and desirable criteria and tell them you've got all essential criteria and ?% desirable criteria do you should be offered the role at least at the bottom rung but not below as you're not having to be trained significantly to do the job

Eg I started a role 10 years ago where o hot all the essential criteria plus a few desirable including I had a PhD - I negotiated up two rungs on that ladder albeit it was around &4K higher than previous role. Next job I had almost all essential criteria and went in a grade higher but lowest rung

I wouldn't accept below offer unless it's a training grade and it's relevant for four situation and quickly goes to advertised salary - if you do accept this get a clear understanding of how your pay will progress to that advertised

Good luck

Going against the grain here. Yep it's far from perfect. But if you did it for a year or 18months would it improve your career prospects and take you to a different place?
I relocated and ended up taking a role with a tight arse company But I am doing it for precisely a year. They increased my pay by 6k at the end of probation cos I was just going to leave. In September I shall start my job search again.

Hi
I work for a big global company and recruit a lot into my team. Our talent teams are bonused on getting in staff with the lowest recruitment costs ie no agencies, and work hard at keeping the salary at the low end of the range we pitch the job at.
Asking for your current pay is how they start their negotiations.
If they are interested in you, and have made an initial offer, stick to your guns and tell them you want the market rate. They are not likely to want to start the whole process again. You may need to compromise slightly so everyone feels like they have got a good deal. Remember once you are in a big global company, pay rises are only awarded for taking on more responsibility and role changes, so your pay may not move for a few years.
Get what you deserve.
Best of luck x

hold your ground, especially if you're prepared to stay.

Id hold out for the advertised salary as well.

So where has the salary come from if it's not been advertised?

@usuallyinthemiddle the recruiter had indicated the salary at the start of the process, along with a “sample” job description.

Well thank you all for the advice and support. I made it clear that I met all their requirements, including sitting two exams they wanted, and expected the market rate or I’d explore other option.

The result ...... they came back just a couple of percentage lower, with a 10% bonus rather than 5%, and the option of two well defined career paths with additional increases as I progress :)

I was on £31k / £24k pro rata and I've recently started a job for £72k.

It was advertised at £80k but since the pay rise is so high I said anywhere between £60k - £80k was fine and was delighted they met in the middle instead of trying to low ball me.

It was the recruiters mistake in telling you what the budget was rather than the salary they would pay. The client will be fuming.

If the recruiter hadn't told you, you would've been none the wiser and likely accepted a more nominal increase.

Hurrah

congratulations Skippii

Excellent 😁

I wouldn't take a job for less than the advertised salary. It's a complete insult.

Fab news!!

@YouBumder
Well...

That's a mistake, I meant year, not month. I'm actually much much poorer than that. J wish I earned 26k a month. If I did I wouldnt have a wardrobe fully of primark's finest :) lol getting everyone excited to know what crazy job I 'hadn't

I'm actually just a dental nurse 🤣🤣

Well done and good for you!!

If you’re a woman you could get a higher salary by reminding them of the gender pay gap and you are underpaid currently. A lot of employers are boosting their stats here by paying female new hires more money (or reserving it for promotions) — but often only when they demand it. I got a 10% rpay increase last year by doing this with my existing employer when I moved roles. Still underpaid for my role compared to men but that should sort itself out when I apply for a promotion