One of the most common questions I’m asked about when someone receives their first job offer with the Federal Government is what can they negotiate. Specifically, can you negotiate your grade?
When I started off in government and asked the same question, I was told there was nothing negotiable. That isn’t exactly true. There are somethings that are flexible. And, in my opinion, you have the best negotiating power before entering government than once you’re in.
So what is negotiable?
If you’re new to government, the first thing you’ll learn is that every position has a grade associated with it. These aren’t the grades we’re used to seeing in school (A, B, C-) but rather numerical representations of the level of expertise required for a particular position. Some grades and positions have educational requirements and some permit prior job experiences to make up in lacking educational credentials. So before you apply to a Federal job, look at the job announcement for the stated grade for the position (e.g., GS 7 or GS 9/11/12).
If the job announcement lists a single number (i.e., GS 7) your negotiating power on changing this grade is zero. The grade you are able to negotiate cannot be higher than the grade listed in that job announcement.
If instead the GS is listed as a ‘ladder’ (i.e., GS 9/11/12) you have some flexibility in the grade you come in at. Most often, if this is your first Federal job you’ll be offered a position at the lowest grade listed with the ability to be promoted annually to the next grade in your ladder. However, if you’re new to government this is the one time you’ll be able to negotiate grade. Go back and review the job announcement for the skills required for each grade. Match these skills to your own resume. Depending on how much experience you bring, you can potentially negotiate what your starting grade will be.
When the HR specialist calls with your offer, they will very explicitly indicate what grade you are being offered. If you believe your skills put you at a higher grade, then explain this. Ask that you be reconsidered at a higher grade.
Depending on the HR specialist and the culture of the agency, your efforts to negotiate your grade can go at least one of three ways.
- They are open to the discussion of your qualifications. The HR Specialist may take notes and follow up with the hiring manager to verify that a higher grade is appropriate. A revised offer will be made with the new higher grade.
- Sometimes the HR specialist may say that they cannot negotiate the grade. Assuming this is true, you accept the position or you don’t.
- More frequently (and I hate to say it), the HR specialist may not want to do the paperwork. Since you can’t be sure whether it is truly non-negotiable, follow up with the hiring manager. Explain that you want the position but that the grade is lower than your qualifications. If they agree and it is negotiable, they may follow up with the HR specialist and advocate on your behalf. Or, they may disagree and stand behind the original offer.
If you are unsuccessful in negotiating a higher grade, you’ve got a decision to make. Accept it or not. This is a personal decision that varies for anyone on the job market.
Wherever you start in the GS system, it will largely determine your career trajectory. You must remain in that GS level for at least one year before you can apply for a higher GS. This is also known as ‘year-in-grade.’ Also, you cannot skip GS levels. Meaning, if you accept a GS-11 you will not be eligible to apply for a GS-13 until you hold a GS-12 position for at least one year. Doing the math, it will take a minimum of two years from when you accept a GS-11 until you have a chance to apply to a GS-13.
Remember that whatever grade you accept, you cannot go into that new position upset about a ‘failed’ negotiation. That anger will only fester into bitterness. That bitterness will crush your future career success. Bitterness will focus you on your grade and the grade of others rather than growing in your career.
