How to Negotiate a HIGHER Salary in the Government
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ต.ค. 2024
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If you accept a government job offer, the chances are it will be at the step 1 level and if you accept it, you could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table. There are other ways you can negotiate for a higher salary by negotiating a higher step level. In this video, I will discuss three different way you might be eligible to request a higher starting salary as a new federal government employee and also some reasons why your request might be declined. Try not to take a salary cut when accepting your first government job because many times you do not have to. Have you been considering a federal government job? Let me know down below.
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Yessss in reference to Superior Quals eligibility, you must be new appointee of the federal government OR re-appointee after a break in service of 90 days or more.
Unfortunately had to withdraw an offer as I did try to negotiate the salary./step level They were not willing to adjust the salary or even do a salary match. There are other opportunities, and I am willing to wait for the better opportunity than be stuck in a lower paying salary. It wasn't worth it to take the chance.
What department was that?
Very true. I was given a Step 10. It never hurts to ask.
Great video! I negotiated a step 3 increase on a remote position by articulating superior qualifications these areas: experience; education, professional certifications; and security clearance. Armand’s guidance is on point!
Great explanation Armand! My experience- I had x amount at my contracting job. I received 2 TJOs after applying for months at the same time. I was able to negotiate 2 steps higher from that x salary as a new hire which put me at a GS-13 step 10. THEN, I was offered a GS-14 step 1 but parlayed that GS-13 Step 10 offer into a GS-14 step 5. The stars aligned and I was able to also negotiate up to 6 hours accrual rate per period. The only thing I would say is a grey area is both HR specialists told me not to accept the TJO when negotiating as long as I was in constant contact with them since I guess it’s a lot more paperwork for them to keep changing the TJO. See you in the next one!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I am glad you were able to successfully negotiate a higher step. Thank you for watching Sean!
@@armandcuret1 Hey Armand- dumb question and slightly different topic. Do we find out what our 2024 proposed pay increase would be around the March timeframe? I.e 2023 is 4.6% in the DC area.
I'm in process of getting TJO. The weird thing was they requested my current pay stub few days after an interview and during my follow up with HR I learned that Hiring Manager is getting an approval to offer me a TJO. My current pay stub didn't include the bonus I get in my current job so I was thinking to negotiate once I receive TJO. Can you please guide me with what process I should follow to negotiate Salary and leave accruals? Is there any form or document I should be preparing during the negotiation process? Thank you
@@patepn HR can go 2 steps above your current salary. For example if you make 100k, I would ask for 2 steps above that and see what they come back with. I had to write a “exceeds expectations” 2 pager explaining why I should be considered and what exceeding qualifications I currently posses to prove it. Regarding leave- you can use your real world job experience and you have to provide a document to your HR specialist. Ask them, they can direct what form it is. However many years you’ve been working in that same job outside of the fed counts. Good luck!
@@seanblake4688 Thank you. Should I write two separate documents - one for Salary and another for leave?
Could you do a video on OPM’s Maximum Payable Rate Rule? I left a GS job 8 years ago. Hoping to get a TJO soon.
I am actually in the process of starting the negotiation process for an upcoming job I accepted from a tentative job offer. I will be going from a WG-6 to a GS-5, and they are offering me a step 8. I mentioned in an email to my HR POC that in the coming week I should be getting my step 4 increase with my current job, and HR said once I've received my SF-50 with the update in pay, they'll send it to whomever it is and they'll determine if that will bump me up from a step 8 to maybe a step 9 or max it at 10. time will tell soon. other then that i'm just finishing up some other paperwork for the pre-employment stuff for the upcoming position.
Congrats on the job offer! Hopefully they will max you out at step 10. Thanks for watching.
@@armandcuret1 thank you me too. now the GS-5 wasn't the grade level I was aiming towards, I was aiming more towards a GS-7 but wasn't getting called for interviews, no job offers nothing, but i'd always get referred for whatever GS-7 position it was I applied for.
You have been very helpful and very informative on your videos, personal question: Are you Hispanic decent?
Thank you for watching.
My mother is Hispanic and my father was white.
I recently offered TJO so I accepted it and started negotiating Leave Category since I've lot of relevant experience. HR said Program office declined leave request so I reached out to Hiring Manager. But Hiring manager was told by HR since I accepted TJO, nothing can be done. So I told Hiring Manager that I had time till I get and accept Firm offer. So he reached out again and was told that Firm offered was made but I have not received a firm offer. Hiring manager was told this by HR a day before HR asked me one last thing to confirm so they can make me a firm offer but I told HR that I was working with Hiring Manager in regards to the leave category request. What should I do in this case? Since HR is not being truthful to Hiring Manager! I am even doubt if HR forwarded my request in first place when they said Program office declined my request!
Thanks for this information. Why won’t HR negotiate if someone is a current employee and has been offered another job in a different agency with different responsibilities?
I believe it is due to OPM rules that agencies are only able to use superior qualifications and special needs pay-setting for new federal employees and also for previous federal employees with a 90+ day break in service.
@@armandcuret1 Thank you for answering my question.
How long does it take on average to receive an answer during the TJO regarding the salary negotiation?
Does negotiating pay ever cause the employer to remove you from the job offer/position?
Also, in regards with NOT being able to negotiate GS level, I'm confused on what it means that through VRA/VEOA veterans can get gs11 without competition?
I wish I would’ve know about this. Took a pay cut going from private company to work in the va. They told me when I earn a certificate I’ll be “promoted probably a couple times.” Should I negotiate steps when that promotion happens? As it will still be less than my previous income.
You can only negotiate step levels when you are first entering the federal government. However, once you get a promotion you will be entitled to the two-step promotion rule.
I asked for Step 8 after a S1 offer and got it!! I didn't want to be greedy... so yea, I settled. I'm happy 😊
Congrats, Crystal!
Did you base this off of experience or pay? I’m going to ask for the same step so I was just curious.
Great video!!! I am now at this point in the hiring process. Thank you for your informative videos. Question can and should you count the counter offer to get closer to the middle of the Step?
Thank you! Yes, you can try. But usually, the step offer you receive after attempting to negotiate is the one they will stick with.
Hi Armand, thanks so much for the amazing advice!! I just received a TJO and when I asked my HR contact who I can speak to about pay/step, they advised that all communication goes through them and that negotiations are only for those who are current/prior federal employees. I'm coming on for the first time from a private sector and have never worked a govt job before, so it seems the HR contact doesn't really want to help in that regard? Do you know how I even find out who my hiring manager is so I might be able to contact them instead?
You're welcome. Thank you for watching!
The negotiation process is only for people new to the federal government. So, you should be able to negotiate. You have to interact with the HR Specialist. I would send them a memo showcasing why you are a superiorly qualified cadidate and perhaps an old pay stub/earning statement that shows that you would be taking a paycut if you accept a step 1.
Haha okay will do, let's see how this goes! Thank you so much!
Great video! I was wondering if i had a federal temporary position for a year and got a new one in another state can I still negotiate step increases if i’ve only been in the federal system for a year?
Yes. You can negotitate step level if you had a time-limited appointment in the competitive or excepted service or a non-permanent appointment in the competitive or excepted service.
I've heard of offers being rescinded for daring to negotiate salary -- is this common?
It happens but it's rare. It's usually when a person keeps trying to negotiate after the first rejection and then the agency pulls the job offer and gives it to someone else.
You cannot negotiate step if you are already in GS but going to new agency? Ex: leaving SoCal for a RUS locality at same pay grade. It can be $10k-$15k less per year.
That is correct. Usually you are not able to negotiate your step level if you are already a federal government employee.
Can salary step negotiation be done after fingerprinting/before FJO stage?
Yes, any time before the FJO is usually ok.
What if the step 10 for the gs level offered is significantly less than your current salary?
Step 10 is the ceiling of a grade. If it is still less than a person's current salary, I would look at a higher GS grade that matches or exceeds their current salary.
Thanks for watching!
Unless you are going to be eating rice and beans, I would take it. Just think. 10 years and you will get a pension. Just put in 10 years and live on whatever salary they are offering (chances are you will be able to afford a house on whatever they are giving you) and you are set for life.
First off, Armand, I want to say thank you for taking the time to provide this information!
I have a question if you're willing to lend a little more of your time?
I applied and recently was offered a TJO for a federal law enforcement agency for an 1811 position. The offer was at a Grade level a lot lower than I expected, which also means the pay cut is significant as well. Not to pat me on the back, but I am overqualified for the Grade level I was offered, and I am comparing this to the qualification segment for other similar job announcements posted by the same agency (for the same position). To add insult to injury, it was at a "hard to fill" not-so-desirable location.
I haven't officially received the TJO in writing, but when I did, I planned to negotiate a higher Grade level.... this is not a thing? I am in very unfamiliar territory here so I am trying to gain as much info as I can to put myself in the best situation possible. I don't want to pass this job offer up, but I just can’t take what was offered as well.
Thank you in advance!
Thanks for watching!
You can usually negotiate the step level after you receive a tentative job offer if this is your first time in the federal government. The federal agency can refuse but you can at least try. The maximum you can ask for is step 10 and plenty of people have done so successfully.
I am not sure what GS Grade you will be offered but I would do the calculation to see if the pay cut at a step 10 is worth it or not.
@@armandcuret1 Thank you for the quick reply! Impressive actually, lol.
The Step 10 at the Grade level I was offered is not so bad; It puts the pay cut in the single digits (thousands). I was verbally contacted and was told my Grade, which again, is a grade or two lower than I expected. I was taken aback by this because they have other announcements for the same job starting at a hiring Grade level than what I was offered. So what I am hearing is that negotiating Grade is no dice, I should shoot for a hire step?
I am even considering asking to be considered for the other job announcement starting with the grade I am willing to settle for. I just don't want to upset anyone and burn a bridge which in this case would be a TJO, lol.
Higher*
@@elevenbravo6439 Correct, you cannot negotiate GS grades, only steps. I would request a higher step level based on your last earning statement or from you being a superior qualified applicant. Also, you can keep applying for higher GS grade job announcements in the meantime.
@@armandcuret1 Solid advice. I will now go forth and conquer.
Thank you so much for the information and for what you do! Be safe.
Great video, Armand! I could really use some of your advice. I received a job offer from DHS for a GS11 Step1. I thanked them for the offer and explained that their offer was a lot less than that I am currently making. I provided details about my relevant experience and asked them to match my current salary which would be GS11 Step9 (I didn't even ask for more than what I am making). DHS HR responded and said that I would not be eligible for any additional steps because the full performance of this position is GS13. Does that make any sense? They said that I could ask for a recruitment/signing bonus but that would just be on top off a GS11 Step 1... I am concerned because this is the first time that I would be entering into the federal service and this is the ONLY opportunity that I get to negotiate. I am not sure what to do. They won't let me negotiate any step increases, only a recruitment bonus which would require me to sign a service agreement. If I take the offer, then I am basically starting at the bottom of the pay band for my next career.
Thanks for watching and congrats on the job offer!
That does not make sense to me. The full performance of GS-13 should not have anything to do with the setting of a step level for an individual first entering into the federal government. I would still type up a memo to outline your superior qualifications and send your last pay stub showing your higher pay in your past job and send it to HR. It is completely up to the federal agency but they have the ability under 5 CFR 531.212(c)
"Each determination must be made in writing and reviewed and approved by an official of the agency who is at least one level higher than the employee's supervisor,"
@@armandcuret1 Thank you for your prompt response. I did follow your recommendation already and outlined my superior qualifications along with 2 recent paystubs but they came back with the same message: I am "not eligible" for higher steps but I can ask for recruitment bonus and/or student loan repayment. It is very unfortunate but I think I will have to decline the offer. It is $20k less than what I am currently making and I can't give up that loss of income in today's economic conditions and economic outlook.
Can you negotiate relocation assistance?
If you got a video on relo it would be great as well.
That is a good video topic.
Generally, the job announcement will list whether or not relocation expenses are reimbursed. Sometimes additional incentives are authorized at the manager's discretion.
Thanks for watching!
@@armandcuret1 thanks!!
Can you clarify? You were saying a lot about negotiating for a higher step for example if you are a 9 step 5 but are getting an offer for an 11 step 1 but then later in the video "negotiation is for people entering the federal workforce."?? So I can't negotiate for a step level to match my current salary as a 9 even though the 11 I am going for is a pay decrease because Im already in an agency?
You are allowed to negotiate step level when you are first entering the federal government or if you had at least a 90 day break from federal service. If you are a current federal government employee, then you can't negoitate.
However, a lot of agencies do "pay setting" where they will try to ensure you are not losing money by taking another a lower GS grade job if possible.
In your situation of a GS-9 getting promoted to a GS-11, the two step promotion rule will go into effect which means "you are entitled to basic pay at the lowest rate of the higher grade that exceeds your existing rate of basic pay by not less than two step increases of the grade from which promoted."
Yea, speak on a matter of public concern and get fired in retaliation. There ya go. Salary will go right up. Way up.
Does the federal employee negotiation rule apply to separating military? As in, can a person in the military that is transitioning to a GS position negotiate their step level?
A person transitioning from the military to a GS position can negotiate their step level.
Thanks for watching.
@@armandcuret1 thank you, and appreciate the quick reply!
Do you recommend I negotiate at a hiring event? Since they provide your GS level at the event
I would not negotiate until after the tenative job offer.
Although, I have to go back and state that I learned I was being paid 168 paid leave hours in addition to a birthday holiday and 6 federal days with my private sector current job and with this new state job, I will be getting like 1 paid leave day per month including 11.5 hours of holiday leave. Definitely a step down in paid off benefits.
Can you negotiate a step 10 if you took a 90+ break in service?
Yes, but whether you will get it or not will depend on your situation.
@@armandcuret1 thanks for reply! What are some reasons they would not want to give a step 10? Are you considered a flight risk? Seems like they would rather do gs 13 step 6 with 25% relocation vs GS 13 step 10 with 10%. About the same $$ mathematically
Can they give your job away if you do this?
The job applied to was GS-5 or GS-7 with superior academic achievement. I have a 3.9 so they offered gs-7 step 1.
Would it make sense to negotiate my step citing my superior academic achievement again?
Congrats on the job offer. The short answer is yes you can negotiate the step level.
It can also somewhat depend on your situation.
Thanks for watching!
the best way to lose out on a government job is to try and negotiate a higher pay.
They don’t disqualify or drop you because of negotiation…. They decline meaning accept their initial offer of walk away… or they counter…. You don’t lose by trying… don’t spread that nonsense
@@thehorrorhive999 and how long have you worked for the government?
@@thehorrorhive999 exactly correct I know for a fact of an offer made that was turned down and HR came back with a much higher offer.
Tentative meaning contingency offer right?
But honestly, if you are getting a government job, the benefits are going to outweigh any type of job you would get in the private sector UNLESS you are coming from executive management from the private sector. The only thing one should worry about is being paid at least cost of living wherever the job is.
Currently, I live in KY and I was offered a state job in KY making $54K a year. Would I want to negotiate that? Heck no! The cost of living here is like $40k for a single person. I am making a lot to be in this state.
Right. The federal government calls the first job offer a "tentative job offer" but it's pretty much a contingency offer.
I don’t understand why y’all sell yourself short in are scared to negotiate… they can say yes or no…
they’re not going to say since you tried to negotiate We’re not interested in you any longer….that will never happen.
@@thehorrorhive999 They COULD. Remember, anything is at will including government jobs WHILE on probation.
There are no laws to protect the employee or potential employee if the employer breaks off the offer because the employee inquires that the salary is not enough.