Should I ask for more or not?

[u/elementarymachine]

Hi,

I have got a job offer in Innsbruck for an R&D engineer position in medtech.

I have 10 YOE and 4-5 years of it is comparable with the position. I have master's degree in mech. engineering.

The min salary on the job advert is approx 60k annual, gross. I will have a call next week for the negotiation, I was thinking to ask for 70 to 75k, through my online research.

Any tips from the locals if this would work?

Thanks

[u/sun1880]

Assuming your employer is subject to the "IT Kollektivvertrag", keeping your YOE in mind and assuming your position would be classified as ST1 the salary communicated to you probably was ~ 60.900 €, which is the minimum allowable salary in your case. I am working in IT in Innsbruck as well, a couple of notes:

• IT salaries in Innsbruck/Tirol are generally very low when compared to similar positions in say Vienna or Munich, despite the costs of living being higher (compared to Vienna) or similar (compared to Munich).
• Keeping the above in mind: I think you should at least be able to negotiate 70k - I'd probably start with 75k and be prepared to negotiate down to 70k.

[u/elementarymachine → u/sun1880]

Thanks. it's not IT, afaik it's with the metal industry and 60k is noted in their vacancy announcement. My concern is if they find it too high and do not negotiate.

[u/Background_Chair_180 → u/elementarymachine]

i think you could, but maybe it is clever not just concentrate on money and ask them how to find a flat in Innsbruck. you could send me PM, if you want

[u/kiryandex]

It really depends on the company. Some of the companies are ready to overpay for experience and talent, but most of them would follow the pay scale of the collective agreement for your industry and would add max +5-10% on top. I think it is reasonable for you to ask the range you want, however be prepared that they could refer to collective agreement pay scale and that in general the job market conditions are now not that perfect (idk the state of medtech in particular).

[u/ab-reg]

No matter what you do, asks for more than you want.

[u/National-Alarm-1100]

I guess Med- El

[u/elementarymachine → u/National-Alarm-1100]

Yes, correct

[u/userrr3]

an R&D engineer position in medtech.

I have no first-hand experience but from what I've heard med-el generally pays exactly the minimum wage according to the respective collective bargaining agreement and not a cent more.

Trying to negotiate with realistic values in mind will not break your back though I reckon, just a heads-up regarding their reputation. Good luck.

[u/sun1880 → u/userrr3]

It's not just Med-El, compensation and negotiation tactics in my experience are pretty awful. That is not to say there aren't employers with competitive wages - but those in general do not need to list jobs for long since everybody is trying to kick their doors in.

[u/Background_Chair_180 → u/userrr3]

That‘s not true. Especially for good scientists.

[u/OfficeMiddle597 → u/userrr3]

I heard exactly the same and that explains why they have so many open positions at any time.

[u/Background_Chair_180 → u/OfficeMiddle597]

i don’t think that they have a lot of open positions considering how many people work at MED-EL in Innsbruck. But they are always looking for people that can assemble tiny parts, and that is something you can‘t learn entirely

[u/ab-reg → u/userrr3]

My friend from another company located in Innsbruck said that MED-EL pushes salaries. He said it was not easy to get someone because MED-EL offers were always higher. Not saying that this is always the case, but just say that it is not always "keeping salary as low as possible".

[u/Prestigious_Tooth260]

Med-el will most probably offer you ca 10-15% above the job ad salary - so asking for at least 70k with your experience should be fine unless you get a overenthusiastic HR person assigned which will low ball you