Should you ask about salary at interview?

Gavin83

Tom99 wrote: »

This did not get me off to a bad start with my new employer, they said they hoped I would negotiate as hard for them as I had for myself.

This is a fair point. Most people probably believe they're worth the highest salary but you really need to make sure you've got the skills to back it up. If I was to hire someone at the top end of the salary range I'd expect them to hit the ground running and make a great impression. If I was paying someone a top end salary but they only had low end skills, I'd likely accept my mistake, cut my losses, get rid of them and rehire. Were I paying them at the lower end of the salary scale I'd be more willing to accept they'd need a bit of time to get to the skill level I'd require.

Brookside88

I wouldn't mention it at interview - wait until they've decided they want to offer it to you - then you can negotiate because they've already picked you

DestinyGamer

Ja7188 wrote: »

Much as I admire you wanting to work for a charity, are you sure you want to look at a £16k job when you're nearly £12k in debt? With your experience in store management, I'd have thought you could aim for a higher wage than this...

Hi Ja! I appreciate your concern. Unfortunately I’m in this debt due to my health having been in and out of hospital the last 2 years. All good now. I have another interview the day after this one for a much higher salary in a supermarket but it’s a job that is fast paced, often tense and 50hr weeks. If I do not get my first choice of job (the £16k) I’ll have to push for the second but I would prefer to work in a smaller store with potential to progress to Store Manager quickly. It would take years to progress through the ranks in a supermarket.

DestinyGamer

Gavin83 wrote: »

This is a fair point. Most people probably believe they're worth the highest salary but you really need to make sure you've got the skills to back it up. If I was to hire someone at the top end of the salary range I'd expect them to hit the ground running and make a great impression. If I was paying someone a top end salary but they only had low end skills, I'd likely accept my mistake, cut my losses, get rid of them and rehire. Were I paying them at the lower end of the salary scale I'd be more willing to accept they'd need a bit of time to get to the skill level I'd require.

Great advice Gavin! Something to keep in mind

AubreyMac

I would call up before the interview (as a potential interest, with a false name if asked) to clarify what exactly the salary is and whether it is negotiable, just so you can concentrate on giving it your all at the interview. Some jobs that means it starts at the lower end which isn't negotiable and yearly appraisals mean there is headroom for increments (if you start at the top end there is no room for rises). But some means you might be able to negotiate.

TELLIT01

AubreyMac wrote: »

I would call up before the interview (as a potential interest, with a false name if asked) to clarify what exactly the salary is and whether it is negotiable, just so you can concentrate on giving it your all at the interview. Some jobs that means it starts at the lower end which isn't negotiable and yearly appraisals mean there is headroom for increments (if you start at the top end there is no room for rises). But some means you might be able to negotiate.

The salary range is already stated as 15 to 16k, and with such a narrow band it shouldn't be too difficult to push for something towards the upper end if they want you.

AubreyMac

In terms of when to negotiate, I would ask this at the end of the interview and only if you get a positive feel.


I once attended a interviewing knowing full well the salary offered was not enough for me but I went along as it was the sort of job I was looking for so felt that some interview practice in this field will better prepare me. I got along with the interviewer who wanted me to start the following morning. When I mentioned the salary offered wouldn't be worth my while they told me to negotiate with the agency. After the interview the agency tried to call me so many times but I deliberately waited until nearly 5pm to call back (just so that they don't have time to find a replacement if they don't pay me what I want). This worked, I was offered more money but not what I wanted, but enough for me to take the job for a few months.

AubreyMac

TELLIT01 wrote: »

The salary range is already stated as 15 to 16k, and with such a narrow band it shouldn't be too difficult to push for something towards the upper end if they want you.

I know but it depends how badly you need the job and what your options are too and how many other people are after the same job.


If it's difficult to find work I'd be reluctant to blow my chances by negotiating salary. If you're not willing to work for the lower end there may be plenty of others who would be.

Tom99

AubreyMac wrote: »

If it's difficult to find work I'd be reluctant to blow my chances by negotiating salary. If you're not willing to work for the lower end there may be plenty of others who would be.

£1,000 will be about £12.50 net a week. If they offer you the job you can always say, I think I have all the skills you require would you consider increasing your offer? They are very unlikely to just withdraw the job offer if you ask in that way and if you don't ask you don't get.

AubreyMac

Tom99 wrote: »

£1,000 will be about £12.50 net a week. If they offer you the job you can always say, I think I have all the skills you require would you consider increasing your offer? They are very unlikely to just withdraw the job offer if you ask in that way and if you don't ask you don't get.

That is true, but I feel that if you leave the ball in their court they may be more likely to choose the lower end, that’s just my feeling. If I was an employer and I knew someone would work for 1k less then I would prefer to pay 1k less.


I only got what I negotiated by presenting as firm, assured and somewhat ‘c0cky’. However, I only had the balls to do that because I didn’t even want the job anyway and was prepared to walk away from it as I had other options.