How to negotiate your federal tentative offer.
Now that you have received your tentative offer it is time to negotiate the most important detail. The pay!
The first offer of nearly every job is at the step one of the grade you are selected for. There are 9 other steps where pay can be set. To determine the pay range of your position just go to the job announcement. The range listed will span the step one of the lowest grade to the step ten of the highest grade. Under no circumstances will your pay be less than or more than this range.
If you’ve had trouble getting to the tentative offer our book can help!
To see the pay of each individual step, find the pay scale that fits your situation on OPM by following this link https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2021/general-schedule/
The major metropolitan areas have their own pay scales which include higher locality rates. If you see your area use that pay table. If you cannot find your location anywhere then your pay will fall under the Rest of the US or RUS scale.
To determine your desired step, look for the one that pays at least as much as you currently make. You can also choose to request a step or two higher than what you make. The key is to decide on the step that you want so you can be specific in your negotiation request.
When it comes to making your request, you can choose any method of communication you prefer. It can be over the phone or through email. If you do not know where to start with your request, you can download an email template that I created here.
After you decide what step you want to request you need to learn how the process works. The term for getting a step above one is called Above Minimum Entrance Rate. The process of granting a higher step requires specific information and several approvals. What most do not realize is the process begins with the hiring manager and ends with the facility Director.
The hiring manager will have the option to accept or decline your request. If they accept the hiring manager will complete the request form and provide the supporting information to request approval from the facility Director.
Per policy, in order to even request a higher step justification must be based on one of two reasons. Either the position is hard to fill or you possess superior qualifications. Superior qualifications is the avenue most taken.
For superior qualifications you must be honest with yourself. If you know you only meet the minimum requirements of the position, there is no need to request more money. Superior qualifications means you have direct experience in the field of the position you are selected for. It could also be an advanced degree or certification in the field that is above the minimum qualifications of the position.
An example would be having a master’s degree. If you do not have any experience and are using your degree to qualify for the position, then you wouldn’t meet superior qualifications. On the other hand, if you have years of experience to meet the specialized experience and a master’s degree, you could have a case.
To submit your request, you will work with your human resources contact. This is the person that sent you the tentative job offer. Just to be clear, you want to accept the tentative offer before you start the pay negotiation. You only have a couple days to accept the offer and the negotiation process takes much longer. You have until the firm offer to get all the details ironed out.
Your human resources contact will act as the middleman on your behalf. Once you share your desire for a higher step with HR, they will relay the message to the hiring manager. At this point the hiring manager will decide to entertain your request or not. Sometime human resources gets a little busy and can delay the process. If this happens, and you are comfortable enough, you can contact the hiring manager directly to discuss the pay.
Since the paperwork will originate with the hiring manager it can make sense to cut out the middleman and go straight to them with your needs. They are going to be your future boss after all.
Should the hiring manager decline your request, or it is disapproved at a higher level, you have two options. You can accept the original offer, or you can decline the position. At this point the ball is in your court. You can decline or withdraw at anytime without any negative consequences. If you choose to accept the offer, understand that it is final and you will not be able to renegotiate later.
