If a job is advertised as £35,000 negotiable does that mean that both sides can negotiate up or down, or does it mean the employer is offering at least £35k?
I'd take it to mean that both parties can negotiate, up or down...
Who ihas placed the advert?
Thats key.
If its an agency it can mean in reality the job is £33k max but the agency has added abit on to cast their net and 'catch people'.
the advery has been placed by the business itself.
So on a base salary of £35k what would you say is a fair +/- ? I know that I fulfill most of the criteria for the position, but I know in a couple of areas my CV isnt as strong, so I could see they might try and negociate down a little.
Whats fair and whats taking the pee?
I'd see if you get offered the job first and then start negotiating the salary.
They'll be looking to pay as little as possible for the right person with the right experience. Don't ruin your chances by going in stating that you want £XXXX.
I've got an interview next week, and if they ask the question on what salary I am looking for, I want to try and avoid ruining my chances.
I would guess that the most they want to pay is £35k but they have said 'negotiable' just in case an excellent candidate who is currently paid just a little more wants to apply and is put off by the advertised salary. It suggests to me they will pay more if they really need to, but don't want to (otherwise they would have advertised it as a higher salary).
If you get asked what salary you are looking for, I'd be tempted to base the answer around what you are currently earning (assuming a similar job in a similar industry)plus X% to compensate for whatever you feel is worth mentioning eg increased travel, diferent benefits package, risk of moving jobs, more responsibilty in the new role etc. Need to consider package as a whole eg is the pension better or worse..?
If your experience and qualifications are a perfect match for their spec, they ought to offer you £35k. If a superstar gets the job offer, they'll probably go a bit higher. If you don't exactly match the spec, but you're the candidate they want, they'll probably offer you a bit less because it will cost them money to get you up to speed.
Edit: If salary is raised in the interview (and don't mention it unless they do) you should say that your skills and experience ought to justify a salary in the region of what they are offering.
Thanks for the advice. Its a bit of a career change, using skills I already have, but obviously its the specfic knowledge for that industry that I do not have, and one or 2 of the skills that are quite lowly weighted in the overall person spec, but none the less they would need to invest time in bringing me up to speed on.
TBH I'd pitch yourself at 30k given the info. It makes you look realistic and also it shows that you understand your shortfall in certain areas but you'd see these as development areas/a challenge.
You want to say that you're focussing on the opportunity itself and that money is important but secondary to the role and work you're going for. However your last salary was XXX (35k ideally but they may ask for proof)and obviously you don't want to move backwards. If you put a number on it that's likely to be the most you will get so best not state a figure.
35k would be for someone who ticks all the criteria though. Concentrate on getting on with the interviewers though. This is the primary/key part.
And don't forget other factors that aren't in the role spec or on your CV. for example, if they think you'll fit into their team really well, that may compensate for one or two shortfalls in experience...