"Salary range" of 20% - how do you justify your request?

[co-op]

Hi - I've never really applied for a job before that had this whole 'salary range' thing but I'm doing this at the moment and I need to be able to state what salary I will be asking for within a range they've stated (£33k-£39k). The obvious answer is £39k right? But clearly there's some game here where I have to be able to explain where in the range I come and why but I have literally no idea - if I bring it down off the top and give reasons, I feel like I'm talking myself out of the job (ie I'm giving reasons why I'm not really suited to the role, or might not be able to fulfill it 100%). I'm genuinely a bit baffled by this - the range is just so wide - the top end is 20% higher than the bottom, that's a huge difference (eg I assume it will have the effect of moving me above or below other people working in the same environment, which seems weird).

Can anyone explain this whole malarkey or link me to somewhere that does? Grateful for any advice.

 

[Sue]

Okay, if you say £39k, why would you need to explain why? They're obviously prepared to pay it and if they like you but think it's too much for your skills and experience, they may try and negotiate down but that would be further down the line so not worth worrying about at the moment.

I think you're maybe overthinking things .

 

[killer b]

Mrs B was asked to justify why she asked for the higher bracket when she interviewed for the current job - I'd have some reasons why you're worth it to hand.

 

[strung out]

What kind of job is it? Many jobs, especially public sector, will expect you to start at the bottom of the scale and be awarded an incremental increase every year until you hit the top of the band. In these cases, it's very difficult to negotiate starting anywhere other than the bottom of the scale.

 

[Supine]

Depends on where the roll fits with your skills. If you are a master of the subject go high. If the roll will be a stretch expect to go lower but have some ceiling for future pay rises. Basically the answer is 'it depends'.

Good luck

 

[Sue]

Mrs B was asked to justify why she asked for the higher bracket when she interviewed for the current job - I'd have some reasons why you're worth it to hand.

That's at interview stage though, this sounds like earlier in the process..?

 

[mauvais]

You're presumably paid something already, you're presumably capable of being offered jobs elsewhere, there are presumably a bunch of factors that mean you would want more and/or accept less for this particular job. Use all that to justify your expectations for this role.

 

[MickiQ]

As someone who has been on the other side of this during my time at Evil American Megacorp, the way it worked was we told HR what we looking for. HR scanned the job adverts looking for adverts that matched the magic words we had given them and worked out a salary based on the average that others were offering and came back with a range which they then put in the advert. When we found someone we liked, HR would offer them the figure dead in the middle which most would accept.
Those that hummed and hawed, HR would ask us did we really like them that much and if we said yes, they would offer them more. Ideally dodge the question and say you're looking for fair compensation but if they insist then ask them for £39K. If you ask for less I guarantee some arsehole (cos I would) will ask why you think you're only worth £35K when you could ask for more.

 

[Sue]

I'm also very firmly of the opinion (for this kind of thing), that if you don't ask, you don't get so might as well ask...

 

[co-op]

Thanks for all replies, very useful.

 

[The39thStep]

What kind of job is it? Many jobs, especially public sector, will expect you to start at the bottom of the scale and be awarded an incremental increase every year until you hit the top of the band. In these cases, it's very difficult to negotiate starting anywhere other than the bottom of the scale.

Its not always that difficult tbh. Firstly they'll normally match your current or last salary, secondly depends how you interviewed which you'll get back from feedback if the feedback is very positive push for a couple of increments. Again you'll need to have reasons.End of the day depends how much they want you and what other offers you might have had. The salary range quoted isn't a basic grade job.

 

[strung out]

Its not always that difficult tbh. Firstly they'll normally match your current or last salary, secondly depends how you interviewed which you'll get back from feedback if the feedback is very positive push for a couple of increments. Again you'll need to have reasons.End of the day depends how much they want you and what other offers you might have had. The salary range quoted isn't a basic grade job.

Where I work, we have to get special dispensation from the deputy head of service if we want to offer any more than the bottom of the pay scale for a grade, and there has to be a pretty good reason to get it granted. Currently earning more than the bottom of the scale should do it, especially if it's provable, e.g. Already working in the organisation.

 

[The39thStep]

Where I work, we have to get special dispensation from the deputy head of service if we want to offer any more than the bottom of the pay scale for a grade, and there has to be a pretty good reason to get it granted. Currently earning more than the bottom of the scale should do it, especially if it's provable, e.g. Already working in the organisation.

Yes depends how micro managed the section is sometimes.

 

[weltweit]

My role was advertised with a range. I told the recruitment consultant that I wouldn't attend interviews if they were considering the lower level, they spoke with the company, the interviews went ahead and I was eventually offered the top rate.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

What kind of job is it? Many jobs, especially public sector, will expect you to start at the bottom of the scale and be awarded an incremental increase every year until you hit the top of the band. In these cases, it's very difficult to negotiate starting anywhere other than the bottom of the scale.

that.

although sometimes in the public sector, they will say that someone with x qualification or y experience would start on a particular level within the pay band.

Personally, I much prefer a job advert where it says what the pay is and where pay grades are transparent, then I can make a decision whether i go for it or not.

The 'negotiation' approach can either lead to employer selecting the cheapest person, or paying as little as they think they can get away with to their preferred candidate.

 

[bellaozzydog]

If you want to go all “Alan sugar” on them

I’m currently being paid XYZ in my current role and successfully achieving all my objectives
I am looking to move to a job with greater scope and more responsibilities. I see that as being the role you are offering me, I would expect to be paid the 39k and your company will benefit from my experience and drive we can negotiate further after 6 months

ultimately no one will cheerlead for you or negotiate a deal.
Always go in high (to be honest 39k is below what I’m really looking for, can you do any better)

obviously being the best candidate for the position helps on this front....

I have negotiated two pay rises in my life. Most time I end up thinking it’s better than no work and getting stiffed

Once when I got blown up and they said you can go home if you want and I said I’ll stay to the end but I want a bonus (they had no replacements for the project)
Second time was in the fourth month of a corona elongated work trip with no replacement in sight for months and I could logistically walk off if I wanted. I gave them another couple of months on the proviso they upped my day rate by 12.5%

Most work is bullshit ( to paraphrase David Graeber), get as much out of it as you can for least time, health and emotional expenditure

 

[Ted Striker]

YMMV, all depends on the type of firm, but IME, in private sector orgs, you must must must must (MUST!) go for 39k. Unless there's a very specific technical skill or experience you are not so good at.

Find any BS to justify it - if they ask for justification, your response is only the same as the answer to the question "why do you think you're suitable for this role?", with more conviction and hyperbole. Don't be defensive. This is your chance to be assertive and believe in yourself!

Remember:

• They have budgeted for it
• The difference is trivial for them
• If they choose YOU, the preference of you over the 'next-best' candidate is (psychologically, from their perspective) infinitely more than 6k. It's highly unlikely the hiring manager will want to compromise on his first pick, for a (already budgeted and signed off) financial amount.
• Without getting to Gordon Gekko...It's a sign of weakness. This could lay the pattern of behaviour for future pay increases.
• It would take you YEARS to advance the 6k internally. And you'll only ever get 1 chance a year to negotiate this. And be on a much weaker footing.

Go for 39. Have a confident response if asked. The answer to this question will have zero impact on your suitability for the role, and their decision to consider you the best.

 

[trabuquera]

Also, I don't know your gender or the organisation/company/employer - but as you'll have looked into their record anyway (I would hope) as part of your preparation for the interview - you may be able to bat it back at them with "I know you've got a gender pay gap and paying me the top whack will help redress that". Ignore this advice if male, obviously.