Interviewing today--Important queston! (serious, for once...)

[Orrex]

I have no idea what the job pays. It could be anywhere between $20K and $60K per year, though likely at the lower end of that scale.

Circumstance--namely, that I'm the primary income for a family of four--requires me to work a job that pays at least $30K, plus benefits. That's not a matter of ego, either; my ego demands that I work a job for a million per anum, but I've learned to lower my sights.


Is it appropriate for me to ask, early in the interview, what rate of pay I can expect? I figure that, this way, I won't be wasting the interviewer's time if, after our hour-long discussion, she says "Okay, we can offer you $18,500 for your first year, with benefits kicking in after six months."


What are your thoughts?

[TZ]

1. Hmm. Well good luck

If it was me, I would wait till the end of the interview to bring the subject casually up, like "oh yeah before I forget". If you bring it up early, you might look a bit desperate, not a good thing...
Let us know how it goes, okay?:hi:

[Orrex]

2. Check your pm, please!

Well, wait about 90 seconds, and then check it.

[Dr. Strange]

3. Yeah, wait until the end.

Even if the pay isn't enough, you got some interview practice, and hey, you're networking.

[CBHagman]

9. That's precisely the attitude.

The whole point is to look for the right position, and if this one isn't the right one, it could very well lead to something else.

[Orrex]

10. I particularly like that advice about not tutching the but

Very useful.

[flvegan]

4. Save the talk about money until the end.

Sometimes, they have a range, and the better the interview, the higher in the range you may land. Good luck!

[Orrex]

5. Maybe I'll say this:

"Tell me your potential salary range, so I know how hard to try in this interview."

They'll hire me for sure!

[SOteric]

6. Don't ask, tell.

I assume you're serious about your pay needs. At a comfortable point in the interview (yes I realise there are no comfortable points in an interview) tell the interviewer that your minimum acceptable salary is in the ball park of $35K. Then ask if that figure is in line with what the position might offer.

Do an excellent job of selling yourself and be willing to negotiate down the $35K to $30K with benefits.

[Orrex]

8. Oooh! Good answer!

You're my best friend for the day.

I don't want to go in seeming desperate or pushy, but I have a legitimate reason (which I'd prefer not to disclose here) for establishing the pay rate early in the process.

[Haole Girl]

11. I second this. nt

[Orrex]

12. That's pretty much what I wound up doing

The intereview went very well IMO, and near the end I described the level of compensation that I would require.

I can't say for sure whether she was on board with my requirements, but she didn't laugh in my face, either.


We'll see; thanks for the advice in any case.

[lizziegrace]

7. I agree with the others. Wait until the end

If the interviewer brings it up, I've always said that I'd have to consider the entire package and including employee's share of insurance, etc. I worked for one employer who paid 100% of all medical premiums. Knowing that, I could calculate what that meant for me and accept a lower salary because the other benefit was huge.

Good luck!!