[renew]

I have been offered a job and got a draft contracts which lists a salary and relocation package. I have been in a job for years where there were clear ( and public) pay scales. My question is am I expected to negotaite the salary or would I be in danger of annoying my prospective employer.
And I dont suppose anyone would know what science position salryies should be. POst Phd with a num,ber of years experience
Any answers gratefully recieved.

[incredible hulse]

Are you dealing with the employer direct or through an agent ? If through an agent I would definitely try and 'haggle' - I managed to get 15k a year more from my first offer. If direct it's a bit more tricky but I see no harm in asking if you think the offer is low. Maybe phrase it as it being a large step down from you UK salary, ask if this wage is comparable to market rates, what increases would be expected in future, etc.
There was a Hays study into 'market' rates recently - not sure if this was IT only. I think if you search on here you should find it.

[CityBlue]

I second the haggle idea - but I know when you get a job offer you are just so appy and really dont want to mess anything up - its a difficult one.

Also remember - you may be in a good position because they cant fill the role from the NZ workforce (?) and they see you as skilled.

If I could turn back the clock to my job offer whilst still in the uk, I would definitely haggle. I didnt and and should have (and I dont mean pay wise but holiday wise!). Also I would think it very unlikely that if you approach it in a discussion kind of way like "oooh its quite a drop from the level I've worked hard to get to..." that they would then withdraw the offer or anything silly like that - and if they did withdraw the offer you have to question if that is the type of boss/company you would like to work for?

There are stories of people asking if they can work 4 days instead of 5 etc etc. In my opinion haggle/discuss it upfront.

[holland]

mmm, I am waiting for employment particulars re salary through the post and it is whizzing around my mind what I should do if the wage is lower than I anticipate. I will be working for the church also, and I just feel this would make haggling worse??? What do you think?

J x

[PeteS]

Well my first employer in NZ came up with lots of reasons not to pay me more. And initially, reasons not to pay me (You don't have a tax number..... not true, you can be paid), and then the suggestion that the NZIS wouldn't let me change jobs because they were specified on the blue sticker. After twelve weeks of this I phoned the NZIS. The NZIS said they didn't care who I worked for. So I found another employer in the same town that was paying 20% more, with health care, a phone, and a van thrown in....

I know a lot of immigrants that get out here and then find the first job wasn't up to scratch. If your employer won't haggle, and put you on a fair rate, just change jobs, vote with your feet.

[ourquest]

There was a Hays study into 'market' rates recently - not sure if this was IT only.

www.hays-hps.co.nz/salary

It is not limited to IT but covers a range of jobs...but it does only seem to cover Auckland and Wellington (and Australian cities).

[markw55]

There is also a Robert Walters salary survey:
http://www.robertwalters.co.nz/resources/salarysurvey/NewZealand.pdf

You can definitely negotiate. Once the offer is made they are unlikely to withdraw it and you can always try your luck using what has been offered as a back stop.

It is a good idea to have a reason for what ever you are looking for as you negotiate. As in "I was hoping for an offer of $xx,xxx as the cost of housing is so expensive in NZ" not "i think I'm worth $xx,xxx", or "everything looks good to me but I would 5 weeks leave, part of why I'm moving to NZ is to see the country" not "its 5 weeks or nothing". Remember if all goes well you will be working with these people.

Good luck