How do I negotiate my salary?

[Kiko18]

Hi there. Could use some help. Was recently offered a role. When interviewing they told me that the salary was max £xx k. I was wondering if that means there is no room for salary negotiation? If I were to ask for say £5k more would I put my offer in jeopardy as they could take it back? I'm just not sure how this all works as even though I'm in my mid - late thirties I have low self esteem so have never really tried to negotiate a salary. Any help is very much appreciated. Thank you!

This is a game that you have to be prepared to lose.

Is this through a recruitment agent?
If so, let them negotiate.

Be realistic, is it the kind of job that most people can apply for?
I don't mean shop work but say accountants, professional, hard work, but still plenty of candidates to chose from.

If no recruitment agent, ask them if there is room for negotiation. If they have quite clearly said maximum you have your answer, unless they desperately want you.

Do you desperately need the job?
If so, don't jeopardise it.
If not, ask and then walk away if they can't meet your salary demands.

Is 5k more a big %?

Do you know if 5k extra would mean total unusual top whack, or not unusual for role? Or even low side?

How specialised is it?

Do you know if they been looking for fair time having trouble finding right person?

How relate to current salary/ package including eg employer pension counts, any perks etc?

Present market data that’s shows £5k more is right for your experience level. Keep it business like and be very confident in your tone. Make it clear how much you want the job, and how excited you are but XYZ data means you deserve the increased offer. Don’t sound desperate or begging or anything personal. It’s business.

In the end it's so difficult.

We know that generally men more likely to ask ££££ loads and negotiate to more than offered.

Women generally think eg what I'm on plus a bit fair enough.

This is obv not true of plenty of men and women!

I've asked for what I thought was outrageous figure twice and got it. Both times through agents, both times they said are you sure? That's a big jump. I said yep.

However never been brave enough to do it myself.

It's a minefield. If they have offered you job v unlikely they will pull out. They say no more sorry you say ok. They say can stretch to 1, 2 whatever k extra you say fab.

Throwing a hissy fit for asking would be just weird.

You need to have decent reason though.

Thanks all. This is a specialist role, they got in touch with me asking if I'm keen to join them. Went through a couple of rounds and got it. I am happy with the max that they're offering to be fair however I just want to make sure that I'm not selling myself short by not negotiating. The thing is I do believe men are better at this than women. I'm not sure why I struggle with this. Also, as I'm in a male dominated industry I want to make sure I'm paid just as much at the men in my team.

@LHReturns

Present market data that’s shows £5k more is right for your experience level. Keep it business like and be very confident in your tone. Make it clear how much you want the job, and how excited you are but XYZ data means you deserve the increased offer. Don’t sound desperate or begging or anything personal. It’s business.

This sounds like a good way of doing it, thank you!