Navigating Salary Negotiations: How to Ask for a Raise After Accepting a Job Offer and Resigning

I recently (5 months back) joined an organization as a Senior Engineer with a 20% hike. After joining, I understood that the company culture and people were not good, which is why I started looking for another job. I was recently selected by an MNC-based company as an Engineer Executive. They offered a 12% hike in CTC, but the take-home hike increased by 28% (₹7,000) compared to my current company, so I accepted. After that, I inquired about the salary package for an Engineer Executive, and the package range is ₹4.5L to ₹7.5L. However, the company offered only ₹4.3L, even though I have 8 years of experience.

Currently, I have resigned from my current company. What can I do, and how should I ask HR to increase my salary package so it is beneficial for me?

Sorry to state that you can't expect a pay rise even before joining. You may ask, but if they say, "If you want to join at the agreed pay scale or else your offer is void," what will you do?

Salary Hike Dilemma: Company A vs. Company B

You want the salary hike in the company you have resigned from or the company where you are yet to join. In both cases, you cannot ask for the hike because in Company A, you have resigned within 5-6 months, where you must be in the probation period, and they must not have conducted the appraisal.

In Case 2, where Company B has interviewed you and shortlisted you based on the terms negotiated during the interview process, both the employee and employer have mutually agreed on the salary. Once you have accepted the salary offer, how can you demand a hike without even joining and working for them?

If you've resigned from your present job, you might at best be able to request them to disregard your resignation and allow you to continue. Expecting a revision in pay is unlikely.

To quote you, "recently selected one MNC-based company as an Engineer Executive, he offered a 12% hike in CTC, but take-home hike increased by 28% (7000 Thousands) compared to the current company. So I accepted. After that, I enquired about the salary package for an engineer executive; the package range is 4.5L to 7.5L," in this case, you should have, before taking the offer, asked them to explain the offer in detail - the level and the amount. As between 4.5L to 7.5L, the gap is huge. It may be based on several factors. If you fit the role exactly, then you'd have been in the highest band (7.5L), provided the fitment is near perfect; else it is all variable. If it is at the 4.5L level, the consideration could be that you have all the ingredients to become a potentially good fit.

Under the circumstances, getting your current employer to withdraw your application is itself a big task. Asking for a hike beyond the offer is not likely to happen, and looking for another job to counter these two will be a high risk. It might work out well or be worse than both the one you left and the one you were with.

Final Suggestion

My final suggestion is to forget your trials for now, ask the present employer to reconsider taking you back, try to increase your technology bandwidth, and make your way out, maybe after a year or so. But before that, show commitment, work hard, and prove you are a valuable player. Research well before you consider another change.

Just go and join. Once you prove yourself, you will get an opportunity to ask for an increase. Don't try to challenge them now by stating that their minimum in the band was INR 4.5 lakhs and you were given less. How do you know that the info given to you is correct? So don't bother about who gets what. Have you not been given a decent hike? Be content.

Compelling Reasons to Change Jobs

Hi, thank you for your inquiry. When considering a job change, there are several compelling factors to take into account. Firstly, the reputation and brand of the new company can significantly impact your career trajectory. A well-established and respected brand can provide more opportunities for growth and development.

Secondly, the technology used by the company is crucial in today's digital age. Working with cutting-edge technology can not only enhance your skills but also make your work more efficient and enjoyable.

Of course, financial considerations play a significant role in job decisions. A competitive salary and benefits package are important aspects to evaluate when contemplating a job change.

Career prospects within the new company are also vital. Opportunities for advancement, training programs, and mentorship can all contribute to a fulfilling and successful career.

Lastly, the location of the new company can greatly affect your work-life balance and overall satisfaction. Considering factors such as commute time, cost of living, and proximity to amenities is essential when assessing a job change.

Overall, a thorough evaluation of these factors can help you make an informed decision about changing jobs and transitioning to a new company.

Well, I think it's too late to negotiate or ask for a hike once you have accepted the offer. It's better to join the company and strive to perform at your best level, aiming to be a top performer. After at least 3 to 6 months, you can consider asking for a raise. Hopefully, your performance will be recognized during the mid-term appraisal, leading to a possible salary increase.

If you receive another job offer before joining the company, you can inquire about a raise by explaining that you have a better offer but would prefer to join their company as you initially accepted their offer. However, this approach comes with the risk of the company rescinding their initial offer. Therefore, it is advisable to focus on the first option, move past any prior occurrences, and concentrate on your work. Remember, more opportunities will come your way.

I am supposed to join a software company with a 30% hike and have already accepted the offer letter. However, due to miscommunication, I failed to notice and consider my performance appraisal of 15% in my current company, where I am currently serving the notice period. Additionally, without including the performance appraisal (15%) in my current Cost to Company (CTC), I provided my old CTC to the new company's HR team, where I am set to join.

Possibility of CTC Increase in the New Company

My question is, are there any possibilities for the HR to increase the CTC in the new company (where I am going to join) by considering my performance appraisal (15%)? HR experts and professionals, please let me know as soon as possible as there is limited time for me. I believe this is a genuine reason, and I hope the HR team will consider my request.

Thank you.

Decision-Making and Career Growth

I would suggest trying out a new opportunity quickly and informing your current company about your mistake. Most likely, they will stick to the salary they have already offered. So, if you can secure a new job, that's great; otherwise, you may have to move forward with just a 15% increase.

"If I were the HR head of the company, I would withdraw the offer letter issued to you since it appears you are making decisions based on hearsay, which is risky." I disagree with this statement. Decision-making is a personal choice. As a candidate, I seek an organization that promotes my career growth and offers a competitive salary. If I have any doubts about a company, it is entirely my right to reconsider my decision up until the moment I join. Do companies disclose their drawbacks to potential employees before hiring them? Yes, such decisions may disrupt a company's policies as they heavily rely on the candidate who is set to join. However, we must also consider the candidate's perspective. I recommend that candidates verify information with multiple sources rather than relying solely on a couple of individuals' opinions.

Regards

I suggest you complete your probation first. Once you are comfortable with the company, and vice versa, you can ask your manager to recommend a raise for you based on parity.

Regards,
Murali