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Original poster

Currently unemployed, offered new job but salary is 2K lower than previous

74 replies

NewbiePoster · 09/03/2023 16:49

Hello everyone. This is my very first post after lurking and gaining loads of advice for years! I hope you can help with this issue. I think in my heart of hearts I know the answer but would just like some extra words of wisdom.

I am currently unemployed after leaving my previous role due to toxic culture and gaslighting. It’s taken 4 months but I’ve secured another job at a firm with a lovely reputation and in an area I’ve long wanted to work. Prior to interview, the company contacted me and said much as they liked my CV, they wouldn’t interview me as my salary expectations exceeded their budget but if I were willing to manage my expectations then they’d like to see me. I thought this was wonderfully transparent so I managed my expectations, had the interviews and received a job offer with a salary at the top of their range which is 2K less than the role that I left. I was delighted to accept (nothing signed as yet). I’m wondering, after reading loads about the importance of negotiating salaries, if I should even seek a bit of an uplift as they made it clear what their budget is and I agreed to lower my expectations? Plus, it’s not really negotiating is it if I’m currently unemployed?! I read, here, I think, that it would be more of a polite ask in these circumstances!

I am actually in-line for a second interview, elsewhere, that would potentially pay £3K more than the role I’ve been offered (which would be £1K more than I was earning in the role I left), however, as good a role as it is, it doesn’t excite me as much as the role I’ve been offered and there’s no guarantee I would get that job even if I were to achieve a second interview. All other aspects are pretty much equal apart from the salary and level of excitement I feel.

So the question is, be grateful that I’ve found a new role in an area I’ve hankered after for years (I was only a few weeks ago lamenting that I’ll never work again) and hope the pay will increase once I’m settled and after probation or decline and hope to get the other role that doesn’t excite me as much but pays better or keep looking for another great role but with a great salary to match? I think in my heart I know the right thing but just looking for other voices.

Thank you all for taking the time to read.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewbiePoster · 09/03/2023 18:02

redspottedmug · 09/03/2023 17:34

Take the job you love and see what happens.

I took a salary drop on my last move for various reasons and with annual increments and cost of living rises exceed what I was on before within 10 months.

Wow! That’s amazing and has given me real hope that even though my starting salary isn’t ideal, things may improve quicker than I think, in ways I never imagined. Well done you!

OP posts:
cocksstrideintheevening · 09/03/2023 18:05

If they really want you they'll find 2k.

Original poster
NewbiePoster · 09/03/2023 18:05

ootb · 09/03/2023 17:35

Depends on timeline (whether close enough) but try and secure a job offer from the other company so you can then negotiate for pay rise with your favoured company by mentioning other job offer w/ higher salary

Good idea and it may just work although I may be cutting it fine.

OP posts:
Shelaydownunderthetable · 09/03/2023 18:08

You know better than most - there are more important factors to consider at work than the salary. Life is short, take the job you love, and try to negotiate something to reflect the £2k you’re missing. I’ve taken a similar pay cut for more interesting work and conditions, had zero regrets and have since increased my salary beyond the initial cut.

Original poster
NewbiePoster · 09/03/2023 18:11

Comefromaway · 09/03/2023 17:38

I’ve seen this from the other side. My company recently took someone on who had been laid off. He’s come for less than he previously was on but we simply could not offer more. For one it would risk peeing off loyal, long standing employees on the same level as him and for another it would mean he would not generate as much profit for the company which is what has kept us afloat whilst other similar companies have made redundancies or gone bankrupt

I really appreciate this perspective, thank you very much! I think my potential firm sounds much like yours. Due to the nature of their work, I genuinely don’t think they have it to give but they do have a reputation of being incredibly nice and looking after their employees and after the way my life has been, certainly, the last couple of years, I need a safe space. I hope your new recruit is thriving with your firm and it’s good t know that situation of being unemployed and then taking a job for less than previous isn’t that much of an anomaly.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewbiePoster · 09/03/2023 18:13

TiredandLate · 09/03/2023 17:39

Take it, any job is better than no job. As pp said you may be able to ask for a salary review after 6 months, and keep an eye on indeed.

So true! It’s been awful not having a job and I think it’s definitely easier to find a job when you’re employed. I’ve definitely proved that with this experience! Literally!

OP posts:
Original poster
NewbiePoster · 09/03/2023 18:17

Starflecked · 09/03/2023 17:53

It sounds like you sort of have negotiated already, you laid your cards on the table and they offered you top of their range. If you hadn't had that conversation no doubt you'd be on the lowest! I'd take it, it's doubtful they'll offer more but you can try and negotiate once in post at your appraisal.

I hadn’t tonight if it that way! Yes, I kind of have actually. Excellent point, thank you! Erm, nope, I certainly wouldn’t have ended up on the lowest because dream or no dream I couldn’t have settled that in my mind so I’d have opted for a few more soul destroying months! I’m leaning heavily towards taking it, smashing the role and seeing if they can find some extra at appraisal time.

OP posts:
Ted27 · 09/03/2023 18:24

But you aren't losing £2k are you ? You are gaining £25k because at the moment you have no income.
They were honest with you from the start and you say yourself the salary is at the too end for your industry.
Having worked in very toxic teams and taken a significant drop to change sectors, for the sake of £100 a month I'd go for a job that excites you, for a company that you really want to work for.

Or put it the other way round if you waited to see if you got the other job, which is not guaranteed, is £100 a month more worth the cost of working in a job that you aren't excited about?

Original poster
NewbiePoster · 09/03/2023 18:26

Sassyfox · 09/03/2023 17:39

You’ll be on £100 less a month, that’s £25 a week.

Could you find a way to save £25 a week so you can feel better?
E.g don’t buy lunch or coffees out, cycle instead of drive, try and save on your weekly shop etc

I completely see where you are coming from but this sounds like your ideal job so I would jump at it!

You can always look for a new job if you’ve been there for a few months and decide that the extra money is more important.

I don’t know that breakdown has helped or made me mor despondent! 😫😂 Seriously, though, that is very helpful to look at it that way and I can most definitely do the things you’ve suggested. Post-pandemic my social activities have very much dwindled so I won’t be splurging on night’s out, etc, except in rare occasions. It’s hybrid so at least one day per week I can save on travel and I can definitely take my lunch and do other things to keep more of my money with me.

This is true and the air of desperation wouldn’t be there because at least I have a job.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewbiePoster · 09/03/2023 18:33

Shelaydownunderthetable · 09/03/2023 18:08

You know better than most - there are more important factors to consider at work than the salary. Life is short, take the job you love, and try to negotiate something to reflect the £2k you’re missing. I’ve taken a similar pay cut for more interesting work and conditions, had zero regrets and have since increased my salary beyond the initial cut.

Oh indeed I do. I was earning the most I’d earned but that joy faded pretty fast (it’s amazing how quickly you get used to the extra) and coupled with the dire culture…my mental health is only just beginning to recover. I even found myself tearing up in interviews! Indeed, even though I feel this job will be perfect, I’m still having a kind of ptsd from the other place so it will need to be every bit as lovely as I think it will.

Life is indeed incredibly short and after this last experience I want to be somewhere where I’ll be happy and fulfilled.

I’m so pleased that when you did the same it’s worked out so well for you and thank you for sharing your perspective.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewbiePoster · 09/03/2023 18:35

cocksstrideintheevening · 09/03/2023 18:05

If they really want you they'll find 2k.

Hmmm, I’m really not sure…you could be right but I don’t know if I’m willing to test it! Which has actually answered my own question!

OP posts:
Biscuitlover456 · 09/03/2023 18:36

If it was me, I’d take the job but as others have suggested be mindful of getting a pay review soon and perhaps find ways to get more value added. Better to find somewhere you are likely to really feel enthusiastic about and secure than just go for the highest salary, especially given the experience you’ve had with poor work environment. Money is important (now more than ever!!) but it isn’t everything.

AltheaVestr1t · 09/03/2023 18:40

I would 100% negotiate, as standard, you have nothing to lose! Apparently 20% more men negotiate salaries at interview than women, which perpetuates the gender pay gap. Since I found this out I have negotiated every time and I've never failed to come out of it with a better offer than I started with.

Original poster
NewbiePoster · 09/03/2023 18:42

Ted27 · 09/03/2023 18:24

But you aren't losing £2k are you ? You are gaining £25k because at the moment you have no income.
They were honest with you from the start and you say yourself the salary is at the too end for your industry.
Having worked in very toxic teams and taken a significant drop to change sectors, for the sake of £100 a month I'd go for a job that excites you, for a company that you really want to work for.

Or put it the other way round if you waited to see if you got the other job, which is not guaranteed, is £100 a month more worth the cost of working in a job that you aren't excited about?

Now that’s a way of turning it on it’s head! I appreciate this very much! What you say is absolutely true.
The salary is the top end for their pay bracket for my role but for my industry, top end is about £35k which I was trying to work my way up to eventually before I retired.
I’m sorry you’ve been through that toxic culture crap too.

When you put it that way, no, £100 is definitely not worth losing a job that I’m excited about and can actually envision myself working at over a job that pays more but the main excitement would actually be the salary. Thank you.

OP posts:
UpToMyElbowsInDiapers · 09/03/2023 18:47

“I’m thrilled to accept your offer, and can’t wait to get started.

One quick note: I appreciate the flexibility you’ve shown on salary already, and I know that I’m near the top of the range of what you were hoping to offer for this role. That said, I’m not at a stage of life where I can justify taking a long-term salary hit. Can we work together to chart a path back to where I was, over the next year? Maybe we can think about what additional responsibilities I could take on a few months after ramping up in the role.”

Ohyouareawful · 09/03/2023 18:48

You left your last job because you couldn’t cope with the negative culture, so work environment is clearly more important to you than salary. I would therefore take the job, if they took you at the top of their range they will appreciate you and if you are much happier there I imagine there will be more opportunities for you to make an impression in the role.

I also agree with other posters that the salary negotiations have already happened so I wouldn’t keep pestering them for a salary increase immediately as that would leave a bad taste in a new employers mouth. If you are now on the same pay scale as others in the company/organization you now prove you are worth a raise when they can afford it by your performance.

As others have said 1) you don’t have a job right now 2) there is no guarantee that the other job will be offered to you.

I previously was a recruiter for senior positions and whatever you do, don’t piss off a new employer when they are very excited to take you on. I have known employers to withdraw an offer when candidates have started to get fussy after negotiations were closed. It sends the signal that you’re not going to be easy to work with and think you are the exception to the rule, when the employer has been very honest about what they can offer.

Just decide and stick with your decision.

RotundBeagle · 09/03/2023 18:50

OttilieKnackered · 09/03/2023 16:52

How much is £2k of the salary? More important if it’s £15k to £17k than £50k to £52k…

I was about to say this.

Original poster
NewbiePoster · 09/03/2023 20:08

Biscuitlover456 · 09/03/2023 18:36

If it was me, I’d take the job but as others have suggested be mindful of getting a pay review soon and perhaps find ways to get more value added. Better to find somewhere you are likely to really feel enthusiastic about and secure than just go for the highest salary, especially given the experience you’ve had with poor work environment. Money is important (now more than ever!!) but it isn’t everything.

Thank you. Even in the toxic job, I had excellent feedback on going above and beyond, proactivity, attention to detail, being a lovely colleague to interact with so I feel hopeful that I can find ways to add value and hopefully be rewarded reasonably quickly. I am definitely enthusiastic about this role, I actually saw it whilst I was in bed and applied there and then because of the company and the fact I’ve wanted to move into this area for years but was always pigeonholed by my previous roles, despite oodles of transferable skills. I think that’s the thing about the money; we’re in a hideous situation as a country and now really wouldn’t be the time to take a drop, if ever, but money isn’t everything at all and I feel really blessed to now have an opportunity to look forward to.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewbiePoster · 09/03/2023 20:11

AltheaVestr1t · 09/03/2023 18:40

I would 100% negotiate, as standard, you have nothing to lose! Apparently 20% more men negotiate salaries at interview than women, which perpetuates the gender pay gap. Since I found this out I have negotiated every time and I've never failed to come out of it with a better offer than I started with.

Yes, that’s it exactly and why I was wondering if I should. I may not though on this occasion as technically I have nothing to negotiate with as I’m not coming from an employed status and they’ve been honest from day one and I’d hate to lose the offer. I’m really grateful for you sharing your success with negotiations and I will definitely do it next time! 😊

OP posts:
Original poster
NewbiePoster · 09/03/2023 20:14

UpToMyElbowsInDiapers · 09/03/2023 18:47

“I’m thrilled to accept your offer, and can’t wait to get started.

One quick note: I appreciate the flexibility you’ve shown on salary already, and I know that I’m near the top of the range of what you were hoping to offer for this role. That said, I’m not at a stage of life where I can justify taking a long-term salary hit. Can we work together to chart a path back to where I was, over the next year? Maybe we can think about what additional responsibilities I could take on a few months after ramping up in the role.”

You are clearly very skilled at this! This is lovely, thank you very much for giving me such a great script to follow! It’s respectful, conveys enthusiasm and isn’t asking “something for nothing” as it were. Marvellous!

OP posts:
Original poster
NewbiePoster · 09/03/2023 20:25

Ohyouareawful · 09/03/2023 18:48

You left your last job because you couldn’t cope with the negative culture, so work environment is clearly more important to you than salary. I would therefore take the job, if they took you at the top of their range they will appreciate you and if you are much happier there I imagine there will be more opportunities for you to make an impression in the role.

I also agree with other posters that the salary negotiations have already happened so I wouldn’t keep pestering them for a salary increase immediately as that would leave a bad taste in a new employers mouth. If you are now on the same pay scale as others in the company/organization you now prove you are worth a raise when they can afford it by your performance.

As others have said 1) you don’t have a job right now 2) there is no guarantee that the other job will be offered to you.

I previously was a recruiter for senior positions and whatever you do, don’t piss off a new employer when they are very excited to take you on. I have known employers to withdraw an offer when candidates have started to get fussy after negotiations were closed. It sends the signal that you’re not going to be easy to work with and think you are the exception to the rule, when the employer has been very honest about what they can offer.

Just decide and stick with your decision.

Work environment is hugely important to me, you’re not wrong there. No amount of money and glowing feedback could make up for what happened. This is true, the could’ve offered me the middle range but they didn’t and through the interview process and interactions with onboarding they do seem ideal and very happy to have me about to join. I also agree that if I’m happy and relaxed then my performance will be stellar and hopefully I’ll find ways to add value, with that value being rewarded in due course.

I really am grateful to you for adding your perspective as a former recruiter and what you’ve said has made me give my head a good wobble and look at this properly.

I agree, I have to make a decision and just stick to it and trust that all will workout.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewbiePoster · 09/03/2023 20:30

Thank you so, so much to everyone that has read and contributed to my inaugural post! I genuinely appreciate the different perspectives delivered on the differing parts of my question. You’ve all been very kind and honest.

Whilst responding to everyone (I hope I’ve not missed anybody!) it occurred to me that should this offer disappear, for whatever reason, I’d be genuinely gutted despite the lower salary. I think even if I were to get the other role and even love it, I’d always be wondering what would’ve happened with this one so my decision has been made.

Thank you all again for your help 😊

OP posts:
LittleAIexHorne · 09/03/2023 20:42

I’d be annoyed if I was the employer here. They were transparent with you, interviewed you based on what you confirmed was an acceptable salary, and now you’re considering changing the goalposts.

When’s the interview for the second job? By all means, delay confirming a start date for the first job until you know what’s happening with the second, but don’t put yourself into a position where you’re not successful for the second, and have pissed off the first.

BHRK · 09/03/2023 20:49

Well done OP. It’s a no brainer to take this job you think you will love. Your salary may go up there, you may work there for two years and look for another job.. but at least you have a job you enjoy

Jolie12345 · 09/03/2023 20:53

As a hiring manager it would leave a sour taste if I pre-warned a candidate that the salary was lower than their expectations, they interviewed anyway, I offered them the highest salary on the available scale rather than trying to lowball because I knew their expectations were higher, and then they tried to negotiate anyway. Sounds like the perfect job for you. Take it as offered and negotiate when you have built a relationship with the company.