Wondering what is my best strategy with a current job offer?

[draxdomax]

I've been having extreme trouble in my current placement and started looking elsewhere.

I've just passed all the interviews for a new employer and the feedback is the following:
"We chose to promote someone internally because we are committed to the progress of our colleagues. So, the role you applied for is not available.
However, we really want you to join us. So, we are looking for a budget to make you an offer"

Now, I REALLY want to join the new employer!

1. They are remote-work, which is very important to our family
2. They have great overall benefits package
3. They made an impression to me as a decent employer and I really NEED a good experience, after my current nightmare

So, I almost told them "you don't need to dig deep, I am happy with a modest salary, based on the other benefits of working for you"
But I decided to play it cool and get their best offer.

Now, I am scared they might not find a lot of money in their budget and decide not to "insult me" with a low offer.

• Whereas I'd be perfectly happy to park my financial ambitions for about 2 years, which is not a bad tenure for tech, even from employer's perspective

Another thing I learned via my agent is that they are looking to remove a lower-tier role, as the base for clearing some budget to hire me.
So, it's not like they need to find a completely new headcount, just 20k or so.

Also: Our household is getting shaky financially and we need my income otherwise we have to sell the house we just finished renovating...
And I don't like any other job ads, especially that remote work seems to have taken a hit recently.

...

So, what's your suggestion?

• Call my agent and tell him something like "it's not about the money, I am really excited to work on this project and with the people I met on the interview"

• Or, assume that they'll definitely find enough money for a good offer suitable for my level and just hold on and let them choose to give me more money

Sounds like they really like you, OP.

If you've gone via a recruiter, this is where they should be earning their fee.

I see no downside of them letting new company know that 'dragomax felt you'd be a great fit and is very keen on the idea of joining you. She would be more than happy to talk about other role options and salary expectations'.

I would avoid telling them that you're not interested in the money, feels like a guaranteed way to get a low ball offer. I'm also not convinced that companies are "worried" about offending people with low offers. If I was you I would just sit it out and wait for the offer. If (and I would be surprised about this) they come back and say they don't have enough budget to make an offer, I would start the conversation from there re how you could come onboard.

Recruiters take a hefty commission- so I agree that they should be supporting and advising you better!

I'd wait and see what their offer is- then negotiate from there. Certainly don't sell yourself short by saying its not about the money! 🙄

The fact that remote work is very important to your family- is irrelevant to the company
The fact your household finances are shaky- irrelevant to the company
Therefore, don't mention these things to the recruiter or the company!

IF the company offered X, and its less than you planned for- either ask for more, or ask whether you could go up to X once you have passed probation? best of luck.

couldn't get the recruiter to make the case to them.
I even suggested that he doesn't have to emphasize that it's coming from me, all he needs to say is "let's try the lower salary that we do have in budget, I think in light of the overall package and specific motivation, she would agree" - that way, it's not even like I am the one cutting my price.

Then, I connected to the employer and told him "I asked the recruiter what is the state of this application and he was a little vague. Since revealed so much about myself, would it be fair if I asked for an update directly from you?"
He said the same thing, using the same kinda buzzword language.

The employer isn't the down to earth guy but he's private school, suit all the time guy... The kind of person who would think that me offering a very slight price cut is some signal for who knows what and not just a practical idea to make everyone happy.

The employer did say they will have more roles 3 months from now.
Recruiter also said that they'll be asking about budget for me in upcoming meetings.

Not holding my breath...

Nothing else interesting. I got one interview for something in Leeds, which pays almost half of what I get and they want EVERYTHING, like top notch in my field...
Some jobs in London with good pay but commuting into London regularly sucks and there are 200 applications on the first day the ad is out, anyway

Sorry to read your update, but well done for asking directly. Are you with just one recruitment agency?

well initially I just started slow with job search.

My situation is confusing: My current job is a nightmare, I estimate there's a 30% chance I can keep it (from my manager's point of view) and 20% chance I can tolerate it (from my point of view).

That being said, it's an extremely well paid and prestigious job and my chances of keeping it are NOT zero.
If I work in my free time, I might solve a problem that no one in my team can and then surely my manager will keep me (famous last words) and I could grind with those idiots for a few more months until

• My very slow job search will yield something normal
• I will have enough savings not to worry about it for 6 months and then can quit and use that time to be 100% job searching
• The economy bounces back and tech people become kings and queens again and I would find a new job just by making a LinkedIn post

Both alternatives look risky:

1. Reduce job hunting to keep job - might lose it anyway
2. Bet all on finding a new job - lose a game of "musical chairs"

The way I keep positive right now is that I haven't been searching for long. I guess in the current market, 3 months for finding a job is normal and I have been low-intensity-looking for barely a week.