Interview and the Salary Question!!

fattyrae1

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone can help with a job interview and the wage situation. You usually get asked what your current wage is and what your expectations are and i never know what to say. Obviously i want the highest wage possible but don't want to price myself out of the job!

Last year i had an interview (basically it was a job i had applied for previously, before my current job, and the job had gone to someone internally, then they contacted me a few months later to offer me the post) and i told them that as i was now settled in my new job, there was no point in me leaving unless it was worth my while. Even so, they offered me less than i was earning so i turned it down, so then they offered to match my pay. I was annoyed that if i had accepted, i would be earning less than they were prepared to pay. I know they want to save as much money as possible but like i said, i would like to get the wage i feel i deserve.

So, back to the new interview. Basically i had to leave my last job because of the travelling involved and therefore eager to get a new job and this post is one i would really like to get. So what will i say about wages? Should you add a couple of grand onto your last wage or be honest? Any help on this would be very much appreciated because although i want the job, i obviously want to get the highest wage they can offer. Sorry if i sound greedy!

iamana1ias

What scale has the job been advertised with, and what do you currently earn?

ckerrd

Is it possible to find out if there is a salary range for the job you have applied for?
Might help.
Also it is not just the starting salary but what are there realistic chances of progression?

That said you are not moving out of kindness so no harm in asking for a few £k more.

What you earn now is not that important it is what you wish to earn that is

fattyrae1

iamana1ias wrote: »

What scale has the job been advertised with, and what do you currently earn?

There was no salary advertised and i get (got) a basic wage with commission and then monthly and annual performance related bonus. £17 -18k.

ckerrd

And how much do you want to earn?

Ask for £19-£20k

iamana1ias

ckerrd wrote: »

And how much do you want to earn?

Ask for £19-£20k

I'd ask for £22k and accept at £20k

fattyrae1

ckerrd wrote: »

Is it possible to find out if there is a salary range for the job you have applied for?
Might help.
Also it is not just the starting salary but what are there realistic chances of progression?

That said you are not moving out of kindness so no harm in asking for a few £k more.

What you earn now is not that important it is what you wish to earn that is

I'm not sure how to find out what the salary range is, in my job it varies according to the size of the company. I recently saw a job advertised that was a step down than my current position but the pay was very similar as it was a larger company. The current company is an international company but not that big in this country. So actually, unless they expand, there may not be that many opportunities for promotion.

fattyrae1

Well i would like the job but wouldn't want to be earning any less than i was earning before. Like i said, this is an international company but they aren't that big over here, so actually, i'm worried that they won't be able to match my previous wage. So i'm torn between wanting the job and wanting a decent wage.

I think the problem is, this isn't a promotion for me, it a step side-ways, so maybe i am being unrealistic with regards the wage. I really just wanted to know how to answer the question. So, maybe add a couple of grand on to my previous wage?

princess_loki

fattyrae1 wrote: »

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone can help with a job interview and the wage situation. You usually get asked what your current wage is and what your expectations are and i never know what to say. Obviously i want the highest wage possible but don't want to price myself out of the job!

Last year i had an interview (basically it was a job i had applied for previously, before my current job, and the job had gone to someone internally, then they contacted me a few months later to offer me the post) and i told them that as i was now settled in my new job, there was no point in me leaving unless it was worth my while. Even so, they offered me less than i was earning so i turned it down, so then they offered to match my pay. I was annoyed that if i had accepted, i would be earning less than they were prepared to pay. I know they want to save as much money as possible but like i said, i would like to get the wage i feel i deserve.

So, back to the new interview. Basically i had to leave my last job because of the travelling involved and therefore eager to get a new job and this post is one i would really like to get. So what will i say about wages? Should you add a couple of grand onto your last wage or be honest? Any help on this would be very much appreciated because although i want the job, i obviously want to get the highest wage they can offer. Sorry if i sound greedy!

i was recently put into a similar position. i stated what i would like but then said i would be willing to negotiate depending on travel expenses and a rise in the near future depending on my performance. therefore not giving an exact answer. waiting to hear next week so hopefully if they were thinking about offering me less then there could be negotiation. good luck!

fattyrae1

princess_loki wrote: »

i was recently put into a similar position. i stated what i would like but then said i would be willing to negotiate depending on travel expenses and a rise in the near future depending on my performance. therefore not giving an exact answer. waiting to hear next week so hopefully if they were thinking about offering me less then there could be negotiation. good luck!

That sounds like the right thing to say. Thank you and good luck to you too!:T

rachyrach2k

If you are no longer in a job then really you cannot be fussy. How long might it be til you get another interview let alone a job? Just tell them your wage at your previous job and say you are open to negotiation. Just give them a figure a couple of grand more and then see what they say. You may be pleasantly surprised.

In my old job I was promoted and went from £15k to £18k. I then moved to another job in the same field six months later and managed to get £23k. So in the space of less than a year I got a £8k payrise :beer:

So dont be afraid to ask. Just put the emphasis on you wanting the job first and then negotiate later. Good luck