Negotiate federal job offer

[Anonymous]

I received a job offer from a federal agency as a Grade 12, step 1. Unfortunately Unfortunately, the original offer is less than my current salary. I placed a counter offer of a grade 12, step 7. HR stated she must receive approval from the department. How likely will this negotiation technique work in my best interest?

[Anonymous]

Depends. My bureau doesn’t negotiate - take step 1 or leave it. I know some are more flexible.

[Anonymous]

If we want a candidate, we have no qualms about matching an outside salary to a higher step. There's a little paperwork involved but it's simple at my agency.

[Anonymous]

Worked for me. Also negotiate leave. Have to prove your experience is relevant

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Worked for me. Also negotiate leave. Have to prove your experience is relevant

Worked for me as well. I was offered a 13 but declined and told them I wasn't unhappy where I was and wouldn't move for a lateral. They called me back in 10 minutes and said ok to the 14.

[Anonymous]

usually they can match your current salary. Also, negotiate vacation (especially if you are coming in with previous government experience through consulting or something else- they can give you years served towards leave)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worked for me. Also negotiate leave. Have to prove your experience is relevant

Worked for me as well. I was offered a 13 but declined and told them I wasn't unhappy where I was and wouldn't move for a lateral. They called me back in 10 minutes and said ok to the 14.

I think you just got lucky. Agencies have more flexibility with steps adjustment (within grade) than grade adjustments.

[Anonymous]

Depending on the position, my agency will match salary. You usually have to provide proof of current income, however if we really need you for a hard to fill position we can sometimes make it work. It does require a memo from HR with lots of info that gets signed off on by a senior HR officer. Just make sure it gets approved before you start.

[Anonymous]

Depends. Are you a blonde woman with slightly above average looks?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Great suggestion to request vacation hours. I have prior local government experience to use towards my request.

Yes I provided pay stubs to HR. Of course I am looking for a pa increase yet I didn't want to push too hard as the job come with the promotion potential of a Grade 13. I wanted to get in the door and work my way up to a lateral move.

Nope, not a woman and don't have blond hair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Great suggestion to request vacation hours. I have prior local government experience to use towards my request.

Yes I provided pay stubs to HR. Of course I am looking for a pa increase yet I didn't want to push too hard as the job come with the promotion potential of a Grade 13. I wanted to get in the door and work my way up to a lateral move.

Nope, not a woman and don't have blond hair.

Nope. Can’t negotiate vacation hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:usually they can match your current salary. Also, negotiate vacation (especially if you are coming in with previous government experience through consulting or something else- they can give you years served towards leave)

+1

I submitted my W-2s and got 4 years leave credit when negotiating with the government. It was still a significant pay cut, but managed to get to GS-14 Step 10.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Great suggestion to request vacation hours. I have prior local government experience to use towards my request.

Yes I provided pay stubs to HR. Of course I am looking for a pa increase yet I didn't want to push too hard as the job come with the promotion potential of a Grade 13. I wanted to get in the door and work my way up to a lateral move.

Nope, not a woman and don't have blond hair.

Nope. Can’t negotiate vacation hours.

Yes you can. Non-federal experience that is directly relevant to the position you’re being appointed to can be credited toward your leave service calculation date. Also has to be something the agency agrees to and approved by a higher up before your EOD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Great suggestion to request vacation hours. I have prior local government experience to use towards my request.

Yes I provided pay stubs to HR. Of course I am looking for a pa increase yet I didn't want to push too hard as the job come with the promotion potential of a Grade 13. I wanted to get in the door and work my way up to a lateral move.

Nope, not a woman and don't have blond hair.

Nope. Can’t negotiate vacation hours.

Yes you can. Non-federal experience that is directly relevant to the position you’re being appointed to can be credited toward your leave service calculation date. Also has to be something the agency agrees to and approved by a higher up before your EOD.

Depends on the agency. At my agency I was told I could get a higher step or more leave, but not both. OP, if you want a step increase, you need to make your case and provide w-2s to show your previous salary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Great suggestion to request vacation hours. I have prior local government experience to use towards my request.

Yes I provided pay stubs to HR. Of course I am looking for a pa increase yet I didn't want to push too hard as the job come with the promotion potential of a Grade 13. I wanted to get in the door and work my way up to a lateral move.

Nope, not a woman and don't have blond hair.

Nope. Can’t negotiate vacation hours.

I got both a higher step due to my current salary and more vacation due to my experience and vacation at my previous company. I also was clear that I was not coming if I did not get both.