Advice on Salary Queries

lulaloo

Hi,

I am interviewing for a job tomorrow with my current employer. We were recently taken over by another company and the new role is to manage 3 sites rather than the 1 I currently manage. Much of the role covers what I currently do, but there are obvious increases in responsibility/workload (i.e. I will now have to spend my time split between 3 UK sites, and be direct line manager to 12 staff rather than 6.)

When I received the job description, I noticed that there was no salary specified. I asked our MD what the salary was and was told that the job is an interim position and that my salary would be reviewed in 3 months, based on cost savings (part of the job is to identify problems and streamline processes) and how successful I was at the job. He said there would definitely be a salary increase, but that he could not say what it would be until the 3 month review.

Whilst I can appreciate the fact that it is an interim position - this position has not been held before and they need to see if it will work - I can't help but think they are taking the mick a little in not even giving me a ball park figure for my salary. Does anyone have any advice on how to approach this subject again at the interview?

I can't see how I can justify applying for a job where I do not know the salary. If they were advertising this role externally, they would have to give someone an idea what they would be getting paid.

I am not looking for a drastic increase. Similarly, I do not yet know the value of cost savings can be made; but surely I deserve some kind of indication of what I can expect. I don't want to get to a review in 3 months time and be told that my salary is increasing by £500 a year.

Any advice is much appreciated.

sujman

Always go for internal interviews for roles that are ‘bigger’ than your current job, even if the salary is not clear. ‘Showing willing’ is a key ingredient, especially when you company has new owners. They want to quickly find out who the ‘stars’ in the company are and you should be front of the queue.

So until they make you an offer, don’t worry about the salary. Equally, don’t stress about the salary increase that might come, as that gives the impression you only care about the money.

Your only problem is if they try and ask you what your salary expectations are in the interview. And is they do, whilst it’s difficult, standard advice is to avoid talking salary specifics during the interview.

If asked "What are you expecting?" a response such as "I am expecting that job will pay at a level that reflects the duties, responsibilities and achievements expected" might be suitable.

If pressed further, you could say - "Having considered the job profile carefully, I would personally assess that the job would pay at a minimum my current salary. However, the increased responsibility I would expect, would command a premium".
If you are still pressed for an actual number, you could say “So, it sounds like you are offering me the job? Is this a pay negotiation?” or

“If you really want me to quote a number, then I would say I would expect to be paid no less than my current salary. However, I expect to be giving goals and targets to be achieved that can be reviewed after the 3 month probation period at which stage I would be looking to negotiate a salary commensurate with the role. We could preset the level of increase at the time of goal setting”.

Remember, you may decide that the pay increase could be in the form of other benefits instead of hard cash. i.e. Company car, a specialist training course, bonus scheme etc.

The most important fact though is to always stress that you see this new role as not an opportunity for you to earn more cash, but a chance to learn and grow with the company and to be ready to take advantage of future promotion prospects etc

redcard

sujman wrote: »

The most important fact though is to always stress that you see this new role as not an opportunity for you to earn more cash, but a chance to learn and grow with the company and to be ready to take advantage of future promotion prospects etc

How many promotions should she accept before getting a pay rise?

sujman

redcard wrote: »

How many promotions should she accept before getting a pay rise?

as many as it takes

getmore4less

Get the job offer first then negotiate,

If they are saying that the pay will be the same as you are on and performance review in 3 months.

Get the performace criteria clearly defined.

I think I would go for a bonus based on actual savings and a pay rise.

Also you need to get the expences policy clearly defined for travel and accomodations if not allready covered especialy if the 3 sites are not local.

Angely

You may talk to them after you r really sure got the offer then

Tankrizzo_2

Be careful. Sadly I have seen this happen all too often with internal promotions, people 'promised' payrises/bonuses etc after a few months in the job. What usually happens is your managers turn round after a few months and say there is unfortunately 'no money' for rises, and you find you can't move back into your old position as it's been backfilled.

A few years ago I would have done it to get ahead in my career. Nowadays though I would only take the job with either an up-front payrise or a WRITTEN guarantee, signed by both you and your manager, that if you hit certain performance targets you will get the raise or bonus.