Hi All,Last week i was offered a job with a consultancy (not one of the big 8 but still a global consultancy)Just to give you a bit of background, I have come through a 2 year Graduate development programme (with a global Defence company) and have 2 and half years of business experience (some in Sales, Marketing & Strategy, some supply chain, but now focusing on Proj Mgmt for the last year in a permanent position). I have no prior consulting experience and am 26 years old.The job offer was at £35k, which I am currently earning outside of London, in the role mentioned above. Would you say in your experience, and with knowledge potentially of other consultancy's, that this is a low offer and I should push for more? I have downloaded the Top Consultant 2011/12 Salary Benchmarking report and as a Junior consultant I was expecting somewhere around the £38-40k mark (basic salary). I would not class myself as a graduate any more but believe I am worth more. Is £35k a reasonable offer for someone new to consultancy, but with experience of business. Just trying to get a feel of things. Thanks

Minman - you have to ask why you believe yourself to be worth more than 35k to a consulting firm? You yourself have alluded to the fact you have no prior experience in consulting so they will have to invest a fair bit to bring you up to scratch (no offence intended I am trying to play devils advocate here).Put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself what you would do in their situation if faced with an individual just off an industry grad scheme with no prior consulting experience. If you truly believe yourself to be worth more than 35k to a consulting company after a two year grad scheme then lay the facts out for them and be truthful - tell them why you believe you are worth more than that figure (whether that be knowledge or specific skill set) and see what they come back with. Make sure you do your research on their salary bands first though - visit glassdoor to find this out.In terms of whether I think it's a fair figure, I'm not sure which company you are referring to but it does seem to be a little on the low side. Consultants at big 4 tend to start around at least the 40k mark (someone correct me if I'm wrong here but it's certainly the case in two of the big 4). It depends who you are referring to as the 'big 8' - I've personally never heard that reference before - it's a new one to me.

Hi Tacitus1,I would normally name the company but dont feel comfortable doing so (plus they may monitor the forum lol).I personally feel it is on the low side and have asked other current consultants at other consultancies and they agree. My dad used to be a consultant and also feels the offer is low and believe's I have the right to negotiate a bit rather than just being given a flat out offer (and being told its the final offer without my input at any stage!).I will have to make them see that I am worth that investment but I agree that my only weakness is lack of consulting experience and relative young age with under 3 years experience across business management.I have visited glassdoor and really cant see many if any salary ranges. They only have 2 salaries listed at Consultant level and they range from £38k to £59k (so I guess each of those two people had the lower and upper end as their salary).A bit torn really as I don't necessarily want to push them away if I argue a strong case as to why I am worth more

Hi minman,To add some context, people who have completed the grad programme (ie with 2 years experience) will be on 40k tops . Probably slightly less at bigger firms as your survey suggests. Remember real consulting salaries have dropped substantially over the years.When comparing to your current role or other offers I'd recommend you don't think about what each role is currently offering today, but what each role will allow you to earn in 2 to 5 years time. Also consider which role will give you the best chance to achieve your goals - be that earnings, lifestyle, role, skills.By all means have a conversation to see if they'll up the offer. You should understand what grade and what end of the salary scale you're being offered to help with this. But don't let the difference between 35k and 38k put you off if everything else feels right.

21k is a mighty big range for Consultant level....Back to your specific case though - you can obviously go back and negotiate, there is no harm in that. They will either tell you to do one or accept it. Construct a compelling case around your skills, knowledge and experience. Whatever you do, it should go without saying that you [b]do not[/b] mention other consultancy salaries as an additional reason for negotiating like you have outlined to me above!I am assuming that you really want to break into consulting and this is currently the only route you have at the moment? For the sake of a couple of £1-2k after tax a year, is it really worth turning down should they refuse to negotiate? 35k after a 2 year industry grad programme really isn't that bad and it should be the experience you are aiming during this stage of your career rather than chasing the buck.

Hi SenorMick and Tacitus again,SenorMick,Yes I intend to scope out a bit more about the role tomorrow on the phone before even mentioning salary again. I still don't feel I have enough information about where I will fit in, progression in the role etc. I think your right about not losing out on the opportunity just for the sake of a couple of extra £k. I guess your right about salaries after some training, it might actually be fairly ok considering I have no consulting experience.Tacitus1,Yes the range does seem odd, I would be inclined to think the £38k seems more reasonable. I agree that I don't want to become fixated on salary and I should be looking at the whole package e.g. prospects, development in the role as I am new to consulting. Literally a bit concerned if they turn around and say 'do one' lol as I actually do want the role I am just tempted to push for a little extra as I think they are purposely starting low to get the best deal for them. As for other opportunities, this is the only consultant offer but there are other PM roles within my current industry that are offering me similar money. Maybe I just have the wrong idea of a junior consultant salary, I really dont know! Really appreciate your help though.On a side note, should bonuses be written into my contract or not as it was stated I could get 2 a year? Also how quickly would you expect salaries to increase in consultancy in general (I promise I am not all money money money!! Just trying to get a clearer picture and you guys have the helpful knowledge!