How to ask for a higher salary before starting

[LadyWithLapdog]

I’ve applied for a job and been sent a contract. I’m looking through it. The salary is lower than what I’m on now. How do I ask for more? It’s all done by email and the HR person, from what I gather, seems quite junior.

For background: I did know the salary range before the interview but it’s only when looking through further details that I see it’s a bit crap re pension and other things. How would you phrase this or is it too late?

Email them back thanking them for the job offer and explain that you’re presently on x amount and you’re hoping for a contract of x amount. Then leave it with them

I'm a bit confused. Have you actually accepted the job offer, if they've sent you a contract?

If so, I think it's too late to phone up and say you want more money. Presumably you discussed salary at interview.

I’m also confused about how you have the contract but aren’t already aware of salary/benefits, it would usually be the other way round? Maybe this is due to your inexperienced HR contact I guess.

You should have discussed this at interview stage. Email and ask for more money but don’t be suprised if you don’t get or they redact the offer.

Have you handed in your notice from your job yet?

Do you think you are currently overpaid? You should know what you are worth.
Make sure you include your benefits employer pension contribution medical insurance, sick pay etc. Remember to ask for more than you want because they will want to bargain you down.
If they offer you jam tomorrow it's worthless - don't accept - would you take the job for a pay cut - does it have career advancement training and responsibilities - if you can't negotiate money can you negotiate expensive training courses, time off/less hours. And don't forget finding someone even in current times that you want to work for you is hard - they will not want to let you go easily and if they do - then maybe that's for the best.

Thanks for the replies. The interview was with a professional in my field and the contract from HR. The pay was in the add and in the letter from HR. The annual leave was after I’d asked and not yet formally confirmed. The pension in the bumf that I had to read after. Salary review, appraisal etc not mentioned even in the lengthy paperwork. Training courses not there either. I haven’t given my notice yet or referee details.

I think it’s more difficult as it’s by email and with about four different people for various parts of the job.

To someone asking, I’m not overpaid in my current job and the difference between the new job and the current one is approx 5%.

Thank you for the suggestions of the things I should ask for instead eg training courses. Pension, sick pay, A/L are worse. Would an acceptable course be to renegotiate after the probation period? Or too late then? I know I could get another job immediately, that’s not the issue. It’s more that I want this one but on better terms :) I don’t see how they’d change A/L, sick pay for everyone but surely salary should be easier.

Be clear now. Speak to them as if they're a decent employer they won't want you to leave a job for less than they're offering . At least I wouldn't - I'd be scared that you'd leave and the money I spent to hire you would be wasted. Negotiate your package now so you are happy with making the move. Only then will you do your best in the role. Good luck!

I accepted a job in local government once having been told that my current salary would be matched but HR sent out the contract offering the lowest salary of the grade so i queried it with my soon to be boss who sorted it out.

I know who my line manager would be in the new job, different to the person who I did the interview with, but I don’t have contact details and I don’t know if they’d get involved in pay matters. It would also be a bit awkward if that’s my first interaction with them and they say no.

I know it’s not a huge amount and it’s more about my self esteem; I shouldn’t be earning less than I did 8 years ago.

Bilbodog - well done. I guess I’ll have to bite the bullet and ring HR and ask who I can speak to. Would a letter be passive aggressive? I feel like such a walkover that I’m wringing my hands over this.

But it sounds like you applied for a job you knew paid less than you were on 8 years ago? The A/L etc is different, but that's why I'd say to anyone they should be doing their research on things like pension etc before applying. You can definitely query the pay now, but if I was your manager and the pay in the contract was the same as the pay in the ad, I would be really unimpressed.

I understand this. But, as I mentioned, the pension wasn’t in the add or in the initial letter and IMO it’s quite poor once I’ve seen it. The A/L I had to ask and they’re not entirely sure but was given an indication (looks like it’s average). A few other states benefits look a bit poor when you actually read the details. Sick pay wasn’t anywhere and isn’t great etc.

How have you got to this point without having discussed the exact salary you wanted/expected?

Sounds like you’ve applied for and accepted a job without having that conversation? Have you handed in your notice at your current employer?

Last time I moved companies when I was formally offered the job the salary was confirmed/discussed verbally before they sent the contract through, how were they supposed to know what salary you wanted if you haven’t spoken to them about it

Oh and I’d either call whoever has sent the contract or whatever other contact you have and explain the situation but I would think at this point if you haven’t mentioned it they’ll be expecting you to take the salary they’ve put in the contract, you might get them to review it but really the time to discuss salary is before you get the contract.

I might have to accept that. I don’t change jobs that often and I think if the other bits were on a par with what I have now I wouldn’t feel resentful about a small pay difference. I’ll ask for confirmation of pay review, shares (there was a mention but no details how that comes about), training days.

You need to negotiate the wage now, it will be much more difficult to renegotiate one in role. Slimmer chance of an increase.

Email them - say you’re really pleased to be offered the job and you’re presently on x amount but you’d like x amount.

@Saltyslug I will do so, thank you. You don’t ask, you definitely don’t get. I need to clarify a few other things too.

@LadyWithLapdog

Thank you for the suggestions of the things I should ask for instead eg training courses. Pension, sick pay, A/L are worse. Would an acceptable course be to renegotiate after the probation period? Or too late then? I know I could get another job immediately, that’s not the issue. It’s more that I want this one but on better terms :) I don’t see how they’d change A/L, sick pay for everyone but surely salary should be easier.

You'll be in a weaker position if you negotiate after your probation period. There's nothing in it for them (they've secured you already) and you may not receive a favourable reaction if you raise 'issues' like this so early on in employment (but depends on employer/organisation).

I have to say that I'd be hesitant about joining an organisation that seems to pay so little by default if the market rate is higher; I'd be wondering what implications this has for future salary reviews.

Ask for everything you want now. Annual leave, pension, benefits, salary. If they don't offer what you want then walk away. You mentioned you can easily find another job, aim for one where you feel valued from the start.

I’d speak to the hiring manager, not HR. The hiring manager is the one who wants you, and who’ll be able to argue for more money for you. HR are just putting the paperwork together.

Definitely agree that you need to negotiate now, not once you’ve started work.

Don’t feel bad about asking for more- men never do!

Congrats on your job offer.

In my sector salary negotiations come after interviews.

No of course it's not too late! Sounds like the headline salary is ok but the whole package adds up to less?

Do they know your current salary?

From their pov they have gone through a long process and picked someone they want and to go back and think again is apita for them.

Stick to the email contact you have- email back and say thanks for the contract you've reviewed it and would like to discuss. Ask who to do that with and contact details/ is it hr (they might prefer to have hr in the middle).

Be straightforward. The salary is fine (if it is) but the overall package does not meet your expectations. Tell them it's 10% less than your current package. See what that makes them do.

They may not have wriggle room on the benefits package and if so then fine, happy to make up the difference via salary.

Ask for details of the share scheme.

Bottom line is, depending on industry of course, 5- 10% on salary is not a big deal.

Once you are in, no matter what they promise, you are very very unlikely to see any decent increases.

Good luck!

Definitely negotiate now. Just say that the benefits aren't quite what you were expecting and by taking the role it would be a salary and benefits reduction and is there any room for negotiation?
Was there a salary range in the advert or a single salary point?

Thank you for your kind replies. I will write in and ask.

Yes, negotiate a better package now, and if that doesn’t prove possible, reconsider the role.

Why are you moving - what’s in it for you?