Been offered a job that I went for...

buckeejit · 9 Mar 2012 at 18:10

I'm currently in a position that I'm not happy with, only decent thing about it is that the wage isn't the worst. I went for a job (same job role that I'm doing atm) that I seen advertised a few weeks ago (through an agency) and I had an interview last Monday which went well. I got a call from the agency today to say that the company are offering me the job to which I was chuffed however, they're offering £2,500 less than the starting salary which was advertised and they said that this would be reviewed after 6 months. Now, I was happy for being offered the job but not happy about the salary as what they had offered is only £500 a year more than what I'm on at the min so I asked the agency to go back to the company and say that I wanted so much (£1,000 under what the starting salary was advertised as). The agency said that they haven't heard back from the company with regards to a decision and said that I'll not hear anything until Monday now. Have I ruined my chances? I mean, could they retract their offer and hire someone else for cheaper? What do you think the chances are?

Also, what would everyone else have done if they experienced the above?

BTW, I don't want any 'You're lucky that you even have a job' comments as I'm not in the mood.

Cheers

swillsy · 9 Mar 2012 at 18:13

Sounds like you did the right thing dude, even if they refuse then you may get an offer next week which may be better. If you do take the job then you may resent it because of the payout as well.

OpenToSuggestions · 9 Mar 2012 at 18:13

That sounds like a real **** take from the start.
Offer you the job on less that it was advertised for?! Either they think you aren't worth it (I seriously don't think this is the case) or they are taking the wee.

Tell them you would like to accept the job at the salary it was advertised at.

Important note: You accept this job for far less than the advertised salary and they will always mess you around with promised pay rises and the like.

oldbag · 9 Mar 2012 at 18:13

Depends on whether the role is an opportunity or not. its not always about money.

piggeh · 9 Mar 2012 at 18:14

if they want you £1.5k difference is not going to make it or break it. Your salary is just one of many expenses to accomodate you in an office, supply you with PC, etc (same applies regardless of job role). £1k is just negligible, if they think you're the best person for the job.

OpenToSuggestions · 9 Mar 2012 at 18:15

oldbag said:
its not always about money.

Well it has been made all about money from day 1 as they are undercutting him - This is not the OP's fault.
If he accepts then the company will underpay him forever. He would be starting on a back foot 'as the mug who works for less than he is worth'.

OP: The best you can do is negotiate hard. What the company is doing is very silly and they will loose good employees by doing this.

oldbag · 9 Mar 2012 at 18:17

Well, if he decides its an opportunity, maybe he can get it written into any contract? Maybe they are offering less based on judgement of experience?

Zero Pope · 9 Mar 2012 at 18:18

I probably would have done similar. I'd certainly be wondering why they are offering so much under the starting salary advertised. Infact I'd be asking why they think they can do that. I wouldn't say you have ruined your chances but as the agency said you'll have to be patient.

shoes · 9 Mar 2012 at 18:19

I took a £2k pay drop going from my previous job to my current one, with a contractual agreement to go back to at least what I was on before after 6 months. See if this is a possibility however replace £2k pay drop and increase appropriately.

3 years on I'm on £3k more than I was on in my previous role, and they stayed true to the contract.

Worth a shot to bag the job with some kind of security.

DominicStar · 9 Mar 2012 at 18:32

I wouldn't sweat it at this stage. Things like this often go on for a week or so before getting resolved. Could be something as simple as the person who needs to give the OK isn't back till Monday. The recruitment agency is likely to push it a bit on your behalf - after all they are on to more money themselves if you are.

SpeedFreak · 9 Mar 2012 at 18:50

Funnily enough I took a new job today and they are actually paying more than I asked for. Apparently they didn't want to come across as cheap. Maybe their attitude is a sign of how they'll be come pay review time?

Amleto · 9 Mar 2012 at 19:25

if the starting salary was advertised from the company (and not some made up number from agency), then I would stick £1k ON TOP and see what they have to say. Cheeky buggers.

Gregster · 9 Mar 2012 at 19:41

I took a job that was less than I was earning purely on the basis that after 3 years the money would be far better to what I was currently earning.

You took it on yourself to tell them your thoughts (which I commend you for) but maybe this in turn has made the company choose somebody else?

"andy" · 9 Mar 2012 at 19:48

its possible that they interviewed someone who was as good as yourself but who possibly said ''i want xxxxxx amount

derfderfley · 9 Mar 2012 at 20:00

"andy" said:
its possible that they interviewed someone who was as good as yourself but who possibly said ''i want xxxxxx amount

It's also very possible with he job market been a tough as it is, that they are trying to lowball him :eek:

Merlin5 · 9 Mar 2012 at 20:22

You're lucky that you even have a job

Mucky_Pup · 9 Mar 2012 at 20:46

I'd have said I wanted the salary that was advertised from the start or I don't want the job.

Amleto · 9 Mar 2012 at 20:58

Merlin5 said:
You're lucky that you even have a job

wouldnt be ocuk without that gem.

darubio · 9 Mar 2012 at 21:31

stick to your prices

placeholder · 9 Mar 2012 at 21:35

oldbag said:
Depends on whether the role is an opportunity or not. its not always about money.

It is EXACTLY about money when they offer him a job he applied for at a salary less than was advertised.

If he was good enough to be chosen he is good enough to command the proper advertised renumeration.