Is asking for more after more has been given seen as greedy during a job offer?

Posted by MrShifty91@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 37 comments

I have been successful in a job interview and was offered the role alongside a fully funded course too. The first offer was the lower end of the pay band, I asked for more, they then emailed me an offer of an extra 2.4k which makes it smack bang in the middle of the pay band. Would it be seen as greedy to ask again for the higher end/more? I have other influences telling me I should go back and ask for more again… but it doesn’t feel right I don’t want to upset the apple cart. Also to add, I’ll be new to this department/ area of work hence them paying my course. Would it be better if I asked ‘how do I progress within the band?’ Anyone ever been in this situation that could help?

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37 Comments

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BrainiacQuantum@reddit

I think their offer is reasonable and incudes study. Take it, you will move up the pay bands as your experience progresses. Good luck.

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MrShifty91@reddit (OP)

I agree. Upon reflection I wasn’t looking at the long game

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Pedantichrist@reddit

‘I was hoping for ‘top of band figure’. I understand if you are not able to go to that, but if not can we have a chat about benefits and a clear path to progressing up to that, including a timeline, please? Sorry if I sound as if I am rushing, I am keen to get started, this is going to be exciting’.

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MrShifty91@reddit (OP)

This is basically the path I took today. I Showed appreciation for the extra pay, asked about progression and it’s time line (subtle). I then explained if I forgot to ask anything it was due to the excitement of this opportunity and if you have time please can we discuss benefits and other bits regarding the job. It seemed to have gone down well 👍🏻

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HawkwardGames@reddit

You could, but be prepared for them to withdraw the offer. They’ve already moved once and they’re funding the course, so pushing again when you’re new to the area is a gamble. I’d ask how progression within the band works instead.

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ResplendentBear@reddit

I've never even heard of an other being withdrawn for someone asking for money. You just tend to get to the take it or leave it point as an offering manager, but you don't take your toys home.

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HawkwardGames@reddit

It’s hardly “taking their toys home” to withdraw the offer. They asked for more, got more, and are now asking for even more before they’ve even started. At that point, the employer is entitled to think this probably isn’t going to be worth the hassle.

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ResplendentBear@reddit

Have you hired many people? It doesn't sound like it. You've been through talks with agencies, CV sorting, 2-3 rounds of interviews. You may have seen 10 people. You've found a competent human that you like and your boss likes. Are you going to throw that away because the salary negotiation is a bit harder? I mean, eventually yes, if they get ridiculous, but not over a bit of back and forth.

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HawkwardGames@reddit

Yeah, plenty. That’s exactly why I’d take it as a red flag. Negotiating is normal, but if someone keeps asking for more after you’ve already moved, and they haven’t even started yet, I’d be wondering what they’ll be like once they’re actually in the job.

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ResplendentBear@reddit

That's... actually totally sensible. I guess for me going back twice is a bit pushy but not really into annoying arsehole territory. Beyond that I'd start to see things more from your viewpoint.

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BowiesFixedPupil@reddit

One push back is pretty much essential in my mind, although admittedly I just accepted my last offer but I had made clear I needed to be near the top of the range which I was. I think if you word it, "thanks so much for the offer. I was actually hoping for £x or closer to the top of the band based on my skills". They then come back with their best offer. You've just asked for more and they've bumped you from bottom to mid. Personally unless I could deal with them rescinding, I'd accept that it was potentially my error that means this is the offer. Had you mentioned top of band, who knows if they'd come back and say this is all we can do. But I think negotiations have probably ended if you want to be safe.

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Numerous-Abrocoma-50@reddit

If you are new to this area of work why would you deserve to go to the top of the band ? Would be careful here if they are paying for a course for you.

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MrShifty91@reddit (OP)

It’s because the profession I’m in shares lots of similarities but with a different audience of that makes sense?

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Jambronius@reddit

Honestly I'd say their offer is fair, if you look at it like this: X amount for the role with no real experience in the industry or an adjacent one. A extra x amount for someone with adjacent experience/transferable skills (You) If I was recruiting and had someone asking for the top of the band from the off, I'd expect them to walk into the role with very little training, i.e. someone from my most direct competitor.

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ResplendentBear@reddit

When did what you earn ever have the slightest thing to do with what you deserve? If you can get the top of the pay band as a new starter, why not?

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smash993@reddit

Make sure you’ve got the experience criteria worth it but the worst they can say is no and what their best and final is.

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Telematic-aardvark@reddit

Oh they can do worse than simply saying no. They can rescind the offer entirely

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ResplendentBear@reddit

Been working for several decades and a frequent hiring manager and never, ever seen a rescinded offer for asking for more money.

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smash993@reddit

I’ve never experienced this to be the case. If you detail out why you think you’re worth more then all will come back is a “well this is the budget” or “this is our best and final” unless the company is more on the unhinged side of which you’ve dodged a bullet

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Competitive-Bison-12@reddit

Mick McCarthy gif…

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ChelseaMourning@reddit

So they’re paying for a course to get you trained up because you both acknowledge that you’re not ready to go. Why do you think you should be at the top of the pay bracket? How much is the course? Would that bump it up?

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Bec21-21@reddit

You made an ask, they responded. If you wanted the maximum of the salary band you should have made that plain in your initial ask. Going back and asking for more again makes you look like someone who would be a nightmare to work with. As a hiring manager I’d just move on to my second choice candidate.

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Wanita_1972@reddit

Yep, marking yourself out as a high maintenance employee before you’ve even started. Doesn’t feel like a good look.

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gangus_chan@reddit

I have done this twice. Once they agreed and bumped me up one point on the pay scale to match another job offer and I took it. The second time I was offered the same salary as my current job and asked if they could to higher. They said no and I walked away. Never asked twice. What I would say is that it's up to you to decide if the salary matches your expectations. If it doesn't then you can ask. They can say yes or no. There is also a small risk they may rescind the offer.

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becooldocrime@reddit

If you’re inexperienced in the area of work to the point that you need a full blown training course to get up to speed, why would you expect to be at the higher end of the pay band?

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CoffeeIgnoramus@reddit

My "credentials": Work in multiple of my family's businesses as a manager and my partner does hiring for a large multinational company. My answer: Depends how you asked the first time. Did you ask "Can I have £XK more" and they met you at that? Also, They probably offered close to what they are willing to pay if they changed the offer for you. They worried they wouldn't get you and thought about what was worth it to them before second choice was worth it. Having said that, you can ask... It's more of an embarrassment issue and potentially (not necessarily) starting on the wrong foot. Do I think you should ask... depends if you're happy with the pay and what vibe you get from them. Every single business will be slightly different.

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mu5tbetheone@reddit

If you're doing a course to upskill and they have already offered you an increase IMHO I think it's a gamble as the could rescind the offer completely.

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RBisoldandtired@reddit

Honestly, I’d accept middle of the pay band if I didn’t have the skill and was being up skilled by them. After doing my courses and being there for six months then I’d push for an increase to the higher end of the pay band

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hdhxuxufxufufiffif@reddit

Personally I wouldn't do it unless either: you're willing to justify it with reference to market rates and/or your experience/qualifications/etc; or you're willing to walk away if they say no.

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TheGoose995@reddit

Honestly it’s probably easier to try and get the pay rise now rather than after you start. You could pose it to them: “would you be willing to increase to £x Pa?, if so I would be ready to accept with no further consideration”. It’s unlikely they’d rescind, more likely they’d say no we can’t go higher or up it a bit more. I’d expect the second increment to be a fair bit less than the first though.

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InvestigatorSoft3606@reddit

In my experience, this is the only time you really have any real leverage over your pay, and you have to make a judgement call over how hard to push. Ive been in this situation twice in the past 10 years. First time I was just so thrilled to get the job offer that I took their first offer (which was at the top of the advertised pay bracket) When i actually started and settled in, a co-worker told me that they were willing to pay about 15% more and bit my hand off when i settled for the first offer. Most recent time was for a public sector job and they offered the bottom of the advertised band, I said i would need more to accept, and they immediately said "ok - top of band" well worth it in that scenario

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1whoisconcerned@reddit

If they already upped your pay they may very well do it again. Cant hurt to ask. They might even respect you for it. It shows you know the worth.

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VolcanicBear@reddit

But if they do say No, be prepared to walk away. Asking for more, knowing what you're worth, then accepting less than you consider the right amount would show you can be pushed over again in the future. I wouldn't personally.

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MrMonkeyman79@reddit

One of three things will happen 1 they up the offer again 2 they say no 3 they rescind the offer and go with another candidate Unless you're shit hot, 2 and 3 are far more lovely than 1 as you'll give the impression you're messing them around and may think you're more trouble than you're worth. Just depends how much you need the job and whether the possibility of a higher wage is worth risking the offer.

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pwuk@reddit

If you're willing to walk away from this job, then do it.

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cooky561@reddit

I think asking for more is a gamble, they've agreed to increase the pay once, so obviously they are preferring you over the other candidate(s) but asking for too much might change that. You can always ask for more money after passing probation when you know the people inside and get a "vibe" for if it's a smart move or not.

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