Do You Talk Salary in the Interview?

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Do You Talk Salary in the Interview?

Steve Jones - SSC Editor

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November 25, 2010 at 9:20 pm

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Comments posted to this topic are about the item Do You Talk Salary in the Interview?

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Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004311 More actions · Answer 1

I agree... I usually don't even entertain the idea of an interview unless I already know the salary range. I don't want to waste their time or my time.

There are exceptions, of course. I may interview for a job that is particullary interesting to me or it's super close to home without knowing the salary ahead of time. I also say that after what you think is a killer interview would be the time to negotiate salary while your performance during the interview is fresh on their minds. You might be able to get more than advertised if you made a really, really good impression.

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SQLRNNR SSC Guru Points: 281334 More actions · Answer 2

Knowing the salary range ahead of time is helpful. I hate talking money during the interview though - no matter the perceived performance. The problem with talking money during an interview is that not everybody in that room should be privy to the salary requests. If they become privy to the salary conversation and then you are hired - that could create problems.

However, if they ask - then answer.

Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
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wosid Newbie Points: 9 More actions · Answer 3

Well, it all depends of your priorities isn't it? If money is the only reason that drives your decision, than hell yes get that info first place.

Personally, I prioritize my decision on human factors first based on a direct bilateral discussion(s). Are they reactive, passive, engaged or not? Passion is everything that makes me happy everyday. Money does not.

If i am happy at the end of the interview, I generally introduce the money question myself if not done already. I don't mentioned a figure since it all depends of the overall package, but I ask them to give me an indicator before meeting again.

As Jeff said, no one wants to loose his/her time just because of a stupid 'tabou' question that is 'How much'.

Frederic Bada

crazy4sql SSCoach Points: 19590 More actions · Answer 4

yes, if the job you going to take for money and not for charity.

The very first question to consultant...whats the offer and benefit they giving?

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Ashish

Skanker Hall of Fame Points: 3059 More actions · Answer 5

Very tricky question on when to bring the money situation up. I have always felt awkward about bringing it up myself and have always admired the nerve of those that do.

On the other side of the fence when appointing people I always think that you have to balance what you offer the new candidate compared to what others in the 'team' are getting. Just because someone is perhaps 'pushier' than another candidate when it comes to money does not necessarily mean that they are worth more. That is why I prefer having a set salary range, notified in advance. The aim then being to appoint at the lower end of the range. This saves money initially and also has an added benefit of allowing a candidate to progress through the range over a period of time within the organisation. The concern with appointing someone to the top of a salary range is that they have no where to go salary wise (apart from another job somewhere else). However I guess when hiring staff for fixed term consulatncy roles this is not such an issue though as they are expected to leave.

Getting back to the topic I think it is definitely preferrable to somehow agree salary in advance of any interview. I have turned down a job offer before (as I guess many others have) when there has been no movement from the bottom end of the salary range and thus me questioning some of my motives for taking the job in the first place. This is a waste of everyones time though I suppose it can be looked on in hindsight as interview practice....

Jinx-640161 Ten Centuries Points: 1218 More actions · Answer 6

I'd say depends on the interview - first interview would be a big no for me, and second interview possibly. Always go in knowing what they are willing to offer for the role though.

What I find interesting is how many jobs in the UK are advertised at one salary, then when you apply you find out it's for far less...This seems to be across the IT spectrum, from c# development to DBA.><.

spaghettidba SSC Guru Points: 105732 More actions · Answer 7

I live in a country where changing job seems to be the only way to raise your salary.

So, yes, I talk about money in the interview and I don't want to lose my time just to discover after three interviews that they're offering far less than what I'm earning.

-- Gianluca Sartori

Nice Marmot SSCrazy Points: 2278 More actions · Answer 8

Jinx-640161 (11/26/2010)
What I find interesting is how many jobs in the UK are advertised at one salary, then when you apply you find out it's for far less...This seems to be across the IT spectrum, from c# development to DBA.><.

I think that the salary the recruitment consultants quote in the job listing is almost always the top possible rate that the client (the employer) would be willing to pay for an exceptional candidate. It is more of an 'attention grabber' - the offer will always be somewhere lower in the range.

Jinx-640161 Ten Centuries Points: 1218 More actions · Answer 9

I think that the salary the recruitment consultants quote in the job listing is almost always the top possible rate that the client (the employer) would be willing to pay for an exceptional candidate. It is more of an 'attention grabber' - the offer will always be somewhere lower in the range.

I don't see the need for false advertising with regards to salary. Perhaps when they have your details they can say - you don't have the xp's so we'd offer the lower range, but at the first phone call, before they know a thing about you they say oh, sorry the company is only paying x amount, x being several thousand lower than the lowest advertised amount.

I've also found that recruitment agents advertise jobs that don't even exist! Some sort of fishing exercise I suppose :-P. All very frustrating.

simonk1971 SSC Rookie Points: 27 More actions · Answer 10

Who would even go to interview without having an idea of the salary range available anyway?

brendan.oconnor SSC Rookie Points: 42 More actions · Answer 11

I'd worry if the people interviewing me couldn't give me a decision on the money. It implies they are not the decision maker. This means that if hired I would struggle to get a pay raise because my manager would always be looking apologetic and saying "I'd like to pay you more...but it's not my decision." What else are they not in control of. My training? My appraisals?

If you were buying a car and the salesperson said "I can't make a decision on that discount" you'd ask to see the person that could. Should be the same in the job market.

Nice Marmot SSCrazy Points: 2278 More actions · Answer 12

Jinx-640161 (11/26/2010)

I've also found that recruitment agents advertise jobs that don't even exist! Some sort of fishing exercise I suppose :-P. All very frustrating.

Yes, particularly if they have made a good wedge out of placing someone in a similar position. I think they like to have someone 'up their sleeve' for the next time. One guy admitted that one post (a pretty specialised one) had been filled before I enquired, but he continued to advertise it for a couple of months. "Just send me your CV anyway," he said . . .

Matt Miller (4) SSC Guru Points: 124210 More actions · Answer 13

Jeff Moden (11/25/2010)
I agree... I usually don't even entertain the idea of an interview unless I already know the salary range. I don't want to waste their time or my time.
There are exceptions, of course. I may interview for a job that is particullary interesting to me or it's super close to home without knowing the salary ahead of time. I also say that after what you think is a killer interview would be the time to negotiate salary while your performance during the interview is fresh on their minds. You might be able to get more than advertised if you made a really, really good impression.

Agreed - I always like to know it's within the range. There have been times where you HAVE to have the discussion: because the range is so incredibly wide, because the job requirements end up not matching the title being advertised. Bottom line is - if you're comfortable with the entire range that could be offereed, then having the discussion is important: otherwise, it's produent to have the discussion. Interviews aren't a "comfortable" time, so just get all of the painful aspects over with in one shot. No sense in waiting to gripe about it later when the offer shows up with an insulting number.

The big trick is to know whether the person you're interviewing with actually has the aility to affect that. The technical interview in my shop tends to be by people who can okay the candidate, but don't get to influence salary.

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mrocco1 Grasshopper Points: 21 More actions · Answer 14

You should have a good idea of the salary range of the position before starting the interview - do research, talk to people. If asked what salary you are expecting, state your salary expectations directly and specifically (this is usually a discussion with HR, put can also be with the hiring manager - not to a group, that is unprofessional). Don't confuse the discussion of compensation with the negotiation of salary. The later happens after an offer is made.