How to ask to start on higher salary scale?

[wobblymum1]

Hello! I’m super low in confidence so need a hand with how to (if at all) ask this question!
I’ve been offered a job I’m really happy about getting after a long spell of being turned down. Still in happy shock!
Salary isn’t big compared to some industries but I’m really proud to have hit £30k range as I’ve been trying for last 5 years to get there, been a rough ride as on my own with kids and one with additional needs. Anyway, I digress.
Job is 24 hours p/w (perfect for school runs and health appts for my child who has many) and starts at £21,313 pa scales up to £23,330 pa
The advert did state new employees usually start on lowest scale.
I come with a lot of experience which they made clear when offering me the job, so would it be cheeky to ask if I could start on a higher scale due to this? And if so, how do I ask?
it’s not a deal breaker, as I’ll take the job anyway, but for me every penny counts just now so just wondering if I’m being cheeky or confident asking? I remember in my last job feeling burned I was on less than others who started with me and it turned out they’d asked at the start to be put on higher end of scale so felt a mug for not asking then!
thank you 😊

If you haven’t accepted formally I would say:

thank you very much for offering me the position of xx.
I’m really looking forward to discussing the terms of the offer. If this is most combiner over the phone I would be happy to be available for a call.

*convenient

If you do make it a phone call, make sure to ask for a recap of the final offer in writing/email. Or you can email them following the call and say thanks for the call, ‘I’m happy to confirm my acceptance of the offer at the £xx agreed salary, start date etc, let me know if everything’s good on your end.’ Kind of message.

I have known people get burned when their first payslip turns up after verbal agreements.

It's always much easier when you're not too fussed about the job. It was a revelation once when I was offered a position that I wasn't totally sold on so I said I want X salary and to do 32 hours over 4 days and they just agreed without a moment's hesitation.

Yes agree. Just ask what you want or ask what the band range is. Drop all the passive language.

They won't withdraw the offer, all they will do is say no or counter offer (or agree).

Very good point. Get it in writing.

Just keep reminding yourself a man would ask and probably get. Be confident not begging.

As an aside, I think you should look at the language you use. You need to use stronger language and should practise this. You are using passive language. Perhaps look for some Ted talks or free resources on this. You would rarely hear a man say 'I was wondering,' when negotiating salary. I'd check to see if you use this type of language in other areas of your working life.

One thing to keep in mind - the top of the scale may simply be that. To progress you may need to consider promotion. In a previous workplace, some people were caught out by this and were then dependent only on any annual % pay increase rather than a competency-based flow through up a scale. This may not be a concern for you to begin with.

Congratulations on the offer.

Hugely helpful, thank you. I definitely struggle with this, I think especially over last few years where I’ve had a lot
of knocks and hard situations and my
confidence is on the floor☹️Thank you for your advice and I’ll check out these resources.

Have a look at Book Boon - search for 'women' or 'assertiveness' or similar. You get a 30-day free trial. Some of them are quick 20 min audio files.

You're
Still grovelling in your second message! Turn the narrative around-

I'm really looking forward to working with x and bringing my y skill set to help increase revenue / client satisfaction whatever it is that you'll be doing.

Market rate for my skills is z and I need to to meet this as a minimum.

No thank you / so pleased etc

I take it you don't have recruitment agent?

Men just ask, women for some reason make it very complicated.

Sadly no recruitment agent - probably could really do with one but they don’t do them in my area of work!

If it's in a school I had this.

I asked directly for it to be raised and was told it starts at lower amount, after 6 months it's midway and after a year the higher one.

I said (in person, over the phone), ‘ah, actually I was hoping to receive an offer over the halfway point in light of my experience’. I got it.

We advertise a range but the starting salary is the lowest amount advertised. We make this clear in interviews and say we are unable to increase starting salary. I don’t like that we advertise a range as it gives the wrong impression. You reach the highest amount after going up the scales each year automatically.
I offered a position and they asked to start on a higher wage. I don’t blame her for asking as you’d be annoyed if you didn’t (and no harm in asking. I didn’t think any less of them) but we couldn’t. Unfortunately she didn’t accept.

I get annoyed when people apply and put they want £39k for a £26k job! Essentially more than what I am on for a managers role!!

Thank you for this!
so he came back and said he could start me on the 2nd level (out of 6) rather than level 1, but that was as high as he could go, then said he’ll let me come back to him with a decision on whether or not I still want the job.

That’s great, well done.