Salary negotiation?

breadmonkey

Allo,

I've been offered a job.:)

When asked about my salary expectations in the interview I said:

"I understand that the salary on offer for this position is €X - €Y and given that I'm a graduate with no experience, I'd expect to be at the lower end of that range."

Now, they've offered me the minimum, €X. I don't feel like I'm in a position to negotiate because like everyone else these days I have to jump at this! But, I know for a fact that the pool of people they have to recruit for this position is minute (it's a bit of an odd ball job) and I feel like I might be a sucker accepting the first offer.

So should I go back to them and ask for more?

Nody

Most likely not hurting to ask but don't expect them to budge on it either.

Mrs OBumble

Always, always, no matter what you're offered, go back and say "I was hoping for X+W", and expect them to come back with X+(W/2) or just under.

If you don't do this, the boss will lose a fair amount of respect for you immediately, and it will affect your pay-rise chances for the rest of the time you're with the company.

Granted, at the moment, they might not budge, or maybe only by a fair bit less than W/2, but it should ALWAYS be tried.

The only exception might be public-sector jobs where the salary scales are prescribed.

RentDayBlues

You told them you expected the lower end of the range - they offered this. Why would you tell them you are happy with a salary when you're not? You can ask, but don't expect a very favorable response.

here.from.day.1

As the other posters have said you should at least ask. I think you would regret it if you dont.

breadmonkey

RentDayBlues wrote: »

You told them you expected the lower end of the range - they offered this. Why would you tell them you are happy with a salary when you're not? You can ask, but don't expect a very favorable response.

The "lower end of the range" differs from the "minimum". In fairness, why should the response be unfavourable?

bobbbb

JustMary wrote: »

Always, always, no matter what you're offered, go back and say "I was hoping for X+W", and expect them to come back with X+(W/2) or just under.

If you don't do this, the boss will lose a fair amount of respect for you immediately, and it will affect your pay-rise chances for the rest of the time you're with the company.

Granted, at the moment, they might not budge, or maybe only by a fair bit less than W/2, but it should ALWAYS be tried..

Normally i would agree with this.

but this next post is more relevant now

RentDayBlues wrote: »

You told them you expected the lower end of the range - they offered this. Why would you tell them you are happy with a salary when you're not? You can ask, but don't expect a very favorable response.

but you have just learned the biggest lesson in negotiation.

Never reveal what you will settle for up front.

breadmonkey

bobbbb wrote: »

but you have just learned the biggest lesson in negotiation.

Never reveal what you will settle for up front.

Yeah I may have shown my hand a bit early on this one all right. In fairness though, I had no basis for claiming that I was worth the top end of the scale. So you think I should settle for the first offer? Surely that must be related to the second biggest lesson in negotiation?!:)

r3nu4l

I would expect someone to come back and say that while you understood that you would be at the lower end of the range you weren't expecting to be offered the minimum of €x. I would then expect you to ask for a bit more.

Now, say I refused to offer you more, I would expect you to counter by saying 'Okay, well obviously I don't have much experience now so I can accept that but in 6 months time I will be experienced in how the company operates and I'll be comfortable with all of the basic job tasks so can we agree to a salary review in 6 months?'

I would probably say yes and if you were performing well, offer you an increase in that time. If your performance was only average I'd be saying, 'let's leave it another 6 months'.

There is nothing to be lost by asking for something. Every time you sit back and accept the first offer made to you, your boss is happy but doesn't necessarily see you as ambitious.

AARRRGH

Can you tell us what they offered you? It will help us put the minimum amount in context.

breadmonkey

AARRRGH wrote: »

Can you tell us what they offered you? It will help us put the minimum amount in context.

They offered me €30k and the max was €35k.

bobbbb

breadmonkey wrote: »

They offered me €30k and the max was €35k.

Ask them about performance related bonuses too.

AARRRGH

breadmonkey wrote: »

They offered me €30k and the max was €35k.

€30k is an excellent salary for a graduate with no experience during a recession.

I don't think you need to push them for more. Seems a bit greedy IMO.

r3nu4l

AARRRGH wrote: »

€30k is an excellent salary for a graduate with no experience during a recession.

I don't think you need to push them for more. Seems a bit greedy IMO.

Meh! Don't ask, don't get, imo. All they can do is say 'no' and at the same time they register that the guy wants more than he's given. Never a bad thing!

breadmonkey

AARRRGH wrote: »

€30k is an excellent salary for a graduate with no experience during a recession.

I don't think you need to push them for more. Seems a bit greedy IMO.

I know €30k is good but I should have mentioned that it's a night job so that's reflected somewhat in the salary.