Job Interviews and Salary Question

[Lorena]

Is it appropriate to ask how much a position pays or should you wait until you're made an offer? The "experts" say you shouldn't ask salary or benefits questions until an offer is made. You don't want the prospective employer think you're only interested in money.

How do you approach a delicate situation like that? I had a couple interviews today and didn't ask... but only because I had contacted human resources and asked them directly.

Thanks for your input

[Joe]

its good to know before hand. In a lot of my interviews, the employers have asked up front what salary range I was looking for, so it hasn't been an issue lately. But I have asked on occasion, and it hasnt been a problem.

[Bee]

I wouldn't ask until a second interview unless they broached the subject first. Most places I've worked, positions are slotted to where there's a pretty big range in salary and how much I'm willing to offer an employee depends a lot on how well the first interview goes. Usually by the second interview, I have a pretty good idea how much I'm willing to offer but during the first one I'm still gauging that.

[Crapshoot]

Here's a tip - if you mention a range, what value do you think they are going to center on ?

[gottimd]

Also check Salary.com for research on pay by title and zip code etc.

[chinaski]

Is it appropriate to ask how much a position pays or should you wait until you're made an offer? The "experts" say you shouldn't ask salary or benefits questions until an offer is made. You don't want the prospective employer think you're only interested in money.

How do you approach a delicate situation like that? I had a couple interviews today and didn't ask... but only because I had contacted human resources and asked them directly.

Thanks for your input
I think, if you dont know how much youre worth, then ask what it pays. If I step into a job interview as a pilot, I already know what a pilot in that region makes... if I get lowballed, I decline the position or make a counter offer. If I get offered more than I thought I would, everyones happy. http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif

[kcchief19]

If the employer doesn't bring it up during a first interview, I think it's absolutely critical that you ask so that you are not wasting your time or their time. I always bring up salary when I'm interviewing candidates because if I they want more than I think they are worth than a second interview is a waste of time.

But make it the last thing you ask. Most people ask questions in the order that are most important to them. If you ask about money first, then you're telling me that money is more important than job duties, experience requirements and employment atmosphere. Sure it's most important to you, but it makes you look good if it appears that you put more stock in the intangibles of the position. Give the employer every chance to bring it up before you do.

I don't think a salary range is a problem at all. If you're not willing to accept less than say $30k, don't say you're looking for $28-$32k. I know some people will say that if you ask for $30-$34 you're guaranteeing an offer of $30k, but if that's what you think you're value is and that's what the employer thinks your value is, then what's the harm? Ask for what you want, and if you get more than that it's a bonus.

I cannot stress this part enough -- salary should NEVER be your No. 1 concern. Anytime you take a job purely for money you're almost always going to be disappointed. I'm honest with people that I interview -- I tell them they may be able to make more money elsewhere, but they won't find a better work environment. If you are more interested in money than the job, you'll get crossed off my list.

[Chubby]

Also check Salary.com for research on pay by title and zip code etc.
wow, I never knew that existed thanks! I might be getting promoted so I've been wondering how much to ask for if that happens and that gives me a great idea of the difference between the 2 jobs. I was pretty close in the raise I was thinking about trying to get compared to the difference in avg sals.

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

I'm currently interviewing for my replacement at work, and on the first interview I prefer to get an idea of what the candidate is looking for. I ask what they're making at their current position, and what they're looking for in a new position. If it's way out of the range we're looking to pay, or way more than I think they're worth, there isn't a second interview.

As a personal preference, I find it incredibly presumptuous for a candidate to ask the salary on the first interview. And it can impact my opinion of the candidate. But that's just me. Others in my office don't care. In my opinion, its more acceptable to discuss on the second interview.

Also, if the candidate is working with a head hunter, the head hunter knows the salary range and will have informed the candidate ahead of time anyway.

[Raiders Army]

I wouldn't ask until a second interview unless they broached the subject first. Most places I've worked, positions are slotted to where there's a pretty big range in salary and how much I'm willing to offer an employee depends a lot on how well the first interview goes. Usually by the second interview, I have a pretty good idea how much I'm willing to offer but during the first one I'm still gauging that.
This is good advice. I'd also let them offer something instead of you giving a price range. If they ask you for your salary, they could get you cheaper than they were willing to pay.

[pennywisesb]

I don't think a salary range is a problem at all. If you're not willing to accept less than say $30k, don't say you're looking for $28-$32k. I know some people will say that if you ask for $30-$34 you're guaranteeing an offer of $30k, but if that's what you think you're value is and that's what the employer thinks your value is, then what's the harm? Ask for what you want, and if you get more than that it's a bonus.

This seems like really good advice. You don't want to lowball yourself, so make sure you have some kind of idea of what you're worth, and then use that figure as the lower of your two salary range numbers. I've used Salary.com a couple of times and it seems pretty accurate.

Also, whenever you're in an interview, don't let them know you like the Dodgers, because we all know the Dodgers suck..... ;)