How do you negotiate a starting salary?

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11 Aug 2011
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When I made a job application I was asked what my salary expectations were. The answer I gave seems to be too low for what the job is and I found out they were offering the same job 6 months ago and the lower end of salary stated was 2k above what I said and the higher end of the range was 8k above what I said my salary expectation was.

There is a real possibility that I might get this job offer. How do I counter an offer with a salary based on the figure I gave without sounding rude and getting told to do one. I just want a fair salary for what the role is.
 
In my last job they advertised at £18-23,000. I thought that was alright and given my experience they'd offer at £21-22,000. Unfortunately they realised I was pretty desperate and offered at £19,000. Despite my urging they wouldn't go any higher. So that was that! I had to take the job and they won :(
 
you need to do it like a BOSS !!!!

walk in, smash the secretery's pastie, go into the boardroom and head up to the CE and stick your middle finger up at him, say "smell your wife"

spin round on your heals like Micheal Jackson, and tell them you want 100K starts !!
 
I always ask for more than I expect to get, not too much as it'll scare them off but then at least you have a point to bargain down from.

In terms of your current situation - you have already told them what you expect.. so it's tricky. You could try and bluff saying that you're very keen to work with them but have been offered X at another company and ask them if they'll match it as you prefer the career opportunities etc with them? But then you do risk losing it.

When did you tell them your expectations? Was it in an interview? If so, perhaps you could contact them saying it wasn't completely thought through given the situation and having looked into this further, you feel that X is the market rate for such a role and that given your expenses this would need to be met in order to make this financially viable for you?
 
Write your desired figure on a small piece of paper then fold it in half. Pass it across the table with your forefinger. When your potential employer reads the number slide a second piece of paper across which reads, "Or else".
 
There is a real possibility that I might get this job offer. How do I counter an offer with a salary based on the figure I gave without sounding rude and getting told to do one. I just want a fair salary for what the role is.

But you've not actually got the offer yet - if their previously advertised lower band was higher than the salary expectation you gave them then you might end up with that lower band. I don't think you'd be in much of a position to negotiate then since they'd have given you more than you asked for. They'd be pretty stupid to not give you it tbh... even if you've undervalued yourself they can assume that you'd find out fairly soon after joining if they've taken advantage of that and then probably leave (thus incurring them more costs in hiring another replacement).

If they do, for some reason, come back with some low ball offer then just tell them that upon reflection you think you should be getting more for the role. Tbh.. if they're trying to screw you that badly (below their previous lower band) on pay then is it really worth working for them - its not exactly the best way to start off.

(this is all assuming that what you've said is correct - that they previously advertised the exact same role with a lower band higher than the salary expectation you gave them - are you sure they don't consider you a less experienced/junior hire?)
 
I had an interview today and got asked this question, I was a bit stunned really as I've never been asked that before. I just said my previous wage (which was more or less just above minimum wage), even though the workload and job is a lot more interesting and can lead to higher things with training.

You can always ask for a review once your foot is in and you feel settled in the job.
 
In these situations I get my meat out and slap it down forcefully on the desk with a hearty thud. I proceed to do absolutely nothing until they respond.

Foolproof way of acquiring not only a killer starting salary, but all of the ladies - all of them.
 
I am a student, I've been offered a job, told last years figure, that's acceptable in my eyes, and have said that inflation will mean they'll probably up it for next year.

As a student just having a job meant I was more than happy, especially as pay if just fine :)

kd
 
Until you knew about this salary range, you were happy with what you asked for... Right ?

This is the trouble with revealing salary bands and people's salaries. Get what you are happy with and to a point, ignore everything else. Ask yourself the question they will be thinking -

What makes him think he is suddenly worth so much more?
 
Last couple of jobs I've been asked what I was after.

Last job I was given that but it was top of the band for that job, current job they actually offered more than I'd asked for which was nice.

Was a bit of a tricky one to answer for this job as there was no guide as to what band the job was in nor any salary range plus looking at similar jobs to get an idea the salaries were all over the shop. I picked a number I was happy with and that was that.

I couldn't really care if the banding means that people are usually on a lot more as it's good for me :)
 
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Until you knew about this salary range, you were happy with what you asked for... Right ?

This is the trouble with revealing salary bands and people's salaries. Get what you are happy with and to a point, ignore everything else. Ask yourself the question they will be thinking -

What makes him think he is suddenly worth so much more?

Well it shouldn't be too much of a surprise if they believe he's undervalued himself (which they obviously do if they're considering him for a role where their lower band is higher than his salary expectations).

A sensible company won't want to massively underpay someone as that employee will likely find out soon enough. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets offered their previously advertised lower band.
 
OP, tell them that you misjudged the amount of hookers and cocaine you'd be needing this financial year and have had to unfortunately raise your salary requirements to match your revised consumption figures. Use a pie chart as a visual aid.
 
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