TLDR version - how do I go about negotiating salary other than saying "err can I have a bit more money please?". If they come back saying they can't break their salary structure do I ask for a golden hello? Should I even ask them to appoint me at the next role level up seeing as they really want me and I have quite a bit of experience. Do I do this by email or phone? I'm not very good at being pushy and I don't really like conflict but I think I have some good cards. Context below:
I applied for a new job recently as I am on a fixed term contract in academia coming to an end because the funding is ending. The position is in an adjacent industry. There is quite a lot of this sort of work about, but to get into most companies they want a year or two of experience in that industry, so to get my foot in the door I applied to an entry level position.
The hiring team did a preliminary email asking me my salary requirements, which I did at a level that was already a substantial pay cut from academia but in line with the field (I have a redundancy pay off to take the edge off this). The HR team told me that wasn't going to happen, here's the start of the salary band for this level role, are you still interested? To which I said yes as I wanted to at least get some interview practice. So I've kind of shafted myself there but seems like I still have wiggle room within the band.
I had second job interview last week which was a complete formality, they were really keen on me, it seems like I'm a great fit for the role. The company, the people and the work all seem good to me so I want the job, but want a bit more money to sweeten the deal.
My leverage: 1) They seem to need someone with my research expertise. I've been in academia a long time, I've no doubt that I'll be by far the most experienced candidate they'll have, and my experience is very applicable.
2) They seem to want someone ASAP. I've told them I have a 1 month notice period, but am actually already enjoying redundancy
3) I guess the fact I'm already taking a big pay cut is in my favour.
4) I've told them I have some other opportunities I need to juggle, which is kind of true. There's a research grant in my old department just been awarded and there's a position on it I'd have a very strong chance of getting, which would be on much better money. But it's only just been awarded and won't even be advertised for minimum a month, and won't start until September.
The HR contact I've been interacting with has a tactic of sending a friendly email asking how things went after the interviews, pretending she hadn't yet spoken to the team who interviewed me. After the second one I said I'd expected her email to be an offer of employment when I'd seen her email address pop up, and could she please let me know early next week so that I could manage my other opportunities without messing anyone around. This was Friday afternoon and she had phoned me (I missed the call) and then sent a written offer within an hour of my emailing her, so that kind of shows that they want me and I've called their bluff.
