Hi,

Sorry to be yet another person with a salary question. I have had a number of interviews for a job in Zurich and have now been offered a job. Unfortunately, I was not able to dodge the "what are your salary expectations?" question during interview and foolishly named a sum, which they said they would be able to match (ie, I gave too low a salary, I guess).

I was told I had the job and that the contract would be arriving shortly. Then they phoned me to say that there was a problem because the salary I had stipulated was too low (why is this a problem?!) but that they were negotiating on my behalf.

A number of days later I received my contract. I should be pleased because it is ~15% above what I asked for and represents an ~80% increase on my current salary (the new position is a substantial promotion anyway), but I am still worried that they are trying to stiff me. I have no idea what the position would pay at home, really, so it was just a ballpark guess. The jobs are always advertised as "competetive" and are not listed on job salary comparison sites.

However, I read elsewhere that when you apply for a permit in Switzerland, to protect employees, they check that the salary is fair before giving the permit. Is this true?

I am thinking of trying to argue that Swiss salaries are generally a third or so higher than in the UK and that the salary I originally suggested was a UK salary and so the extra 15% isn't quite sufficient. Do you think this holds as an argument? I should be happy with my salary, but I don't want to start a new job feeling that I have been had and it took them so long to get back to me with the contract that I am not sure what has been going on behind the scenes. From the letter I got, it appears they have been doing a market appraisal for the salary. Or do you think I need to get a life and stop worrying?

Should I be negotiating with my employer about the type of permit?

Is it true that everyone in Switzerland has to take a 2-week holiday at one stage? It doesn't say that in my contract, but I have heard that this is the case.

Any other useful negotiating tips? I still need to ask about the relocation package. I am single.

kfc.