Employment quandry...

[penski]

As some of you know, I'm currently contracting at a University. That was due to end well...er...Yesterday but due to being generally ORSUM I've been given another two months.

A week ago, I received a message on Facebook from a guy who interviewed me for a different role back in June, asking if I was still looking for work (who said Facebook is useless?). We had a bit of a chat and I bumped an updated CV across to him which he forwarded to the guy he made manager of the department I would have been working in.

The manager then called me last night, asking if I could pop in 'for a chat' today...So at 9am, I went in to see him, he went over the details of the role again, asked me a couple of simple questions, noted that the previous guy had recommended me and 15 minutes later, he offered me the position I originally interviewed for in June.

Now the company is great The atmosphere and environment is great. The people are great, the role sounds really enjoyable and it would be a permenant role....Which I need if we are to buy a place next year.

But here comes the kicker; the salary is about £4k less than what I'm on at the moment.

:/

I can't afford to drop that kind of money.

The guy who contacted me on FB called me as I was leaving work this evening and asked me how it went. I told him that I had been offered the position and that to be perfectly blunt, the role interests me but I need to think over the pros and cons of taking a pay cut. I didn't tell him how much it would be. He said sure, no problem, I'll speak to you tomorrow.

So...What I've decided is that I want the job but I really can't afford the cut. So tomorrow, I will call both guys and let them know that I am very much appreciative of the offer and the opportunity but that I have to turn it down due to the salary.

Is this the correct way to approach this?

What should I expect?

Thanks for any input.

*n

 

[freshy]

salary negotiation is not unheard of especially as they have come to you rather than a random application. maybe pitch it to them that you would be willing to take on more responsbilty or accountability or just more tasks. perhaps trade off other fringe benefits.

don't say you appreciate the offer rather that the position greatly interests you and the team and environment seem a place where you can make a real impact etc but then ask if there is any leeway on the basic pay. tell him you are currently on xxx

even if it does not work you have alerted him to your ambition and it will help you in the long run eg near future rise once you have proven yourself

 

[paradigm]

Its a good position to be in really, whats the worst that can happen, they say no and you still have your old job

Ask them, but don't be overly pushy, just make it plain that you can't take that much of a pay hit

 

[Haircut]

salary negotiation is not unheard of

Indeed, if you really do want the job and they want you, you may be able to squeeze another few thousand out of them.
If not, you're in no worse a situation than you were prior to hearing about this job.

 

[gambitt]

Definitely negotiate the salary! Make is very clear to them that it is impossible for you to take a pay cut and you must be making at least <insert reasonable amount> to cover your living expenses and plans you've made for the future. I've done this twice in the past with great sucess. If they come back with an extra £500 or £1000 just keep saying no and that you simply can't live off the lower amount.

Don't let them push you down on the salary, they obviously want you very badly!

 

[dannyjo22]

What a shame, is there no scope within the role to be able to quickly work your way back up. I understand it's hard to go down the money i've just done it myself. Does this job offer you more chances later on?

Or do you see yourself on the same money for a while?

I suppose you have to ask yourself how near to your salary are you willing to accept. I'd have that in mind before I spoke to them incase they offered you more money.

You could let them know your willing to take a cut to take their offer but not 4k.

I'd let them know the gap because you have nothing to lose.

 

[kibblerok]

I wouldnt tell them the gap.

They came to you and seem keen... mentioning the gap to them means you'll only ever end up with less.

If you say 4k was the difference the chances are the best you'd get is somewhere in the middle ground.

Considering they probably have recruitment overheads if you didnt take it, and the fact that they came to you means the ball is well and truely in your court. Make the most of it.

 

[penski]

What a shame, is there no scope within the role to be able to quickly work your way back up. I understand it's hard to go down the money i've just done it myself. Does this job offer you more chances later on?

Or do you see yourself on the same money for a while?

I suppose you have to ask yourself how near to your salary are you willing to accept. I'd have that in mind before I spoke to them incase they offered you more money.

You could let them know your willing to take a cut to take their offer but not 4k.

I'd let them know the gap because you have nothing to lose.

The guy I spoke to today noted that they are opening up a subdepartment within 'his' department which they will be looking for a manager for...As early as January.

He said it would go to the individual most suited to the role rather than the one who had been there the longest.

At the moment, there are four in the department plus him. He's taking on another three before xmas and the new subdept will have three to four in it plus it's manager.

Whilst I am fully confident in my abilities, this seems like quite a gamble to me..

*n

 

[dannyjo22]

Whilst I am fully confident in my abilities, this seems like quite a gamble to me..

*n

Yeah thats quite a gamble, it's easy for me to say go for it and take that gamble but I don't pay your bills or really know how tight things really are.

I would pretty much do what you suggested in you OP and run with it from there. I hope after the call the gap gets much smaller

 

[penski]

Yeah thats quite a gamble, it's easy for me to say go for it and take that gamble but I don't pay your bills or really know how tight things really are.

Things are pretty tight at the moment. A combination of saving for a house and having 'increased family responsabilities' means we're doing without quite a few niceties at the moment.

Gonna be a tricky call tomorrow.

Don't know whether to call the manager or the guy who first interviewed me first...

*n

 

[Conanius]

riteo.

Call the guy who interviewed you first, and do whatever you want to do with him.

If I was you, id say to him thanks for the meeting yesterday, given me a lot to think about etc, but the bottom line is, its just not enough money. I'd love to come and work with you,but I couldnt consider it for anything less than *insert figure*

Then, call the guy who called you and let him know eitherway whats happened


I have been in a similar situation, and its how I ended up working here in London. I said I couldnt do it for anything less than double what I was on before, and I got it... so don't be afraid to ask for it !