Asking about salary before in person interview

[bearxor]

I'm going through this myself. Have a 4th interview Wednesday with a major media company. I have asked three times for the salary range and the best answer I ever got was "We'll make you an offer in line with your experience." That was on the first call.

The other two interviews have been the same person and he's claiming he doesn't know. I'm expecting Wednesday to be the actual offer so I guess I'll find out then.

I always try to get the salary range first because I don't like wasting time.

 

[Gillbot]

I ask first thing since there is no point in going through the process if we are in different ranges. My field isn't very full of available talent and most companies have extremely unrealistic expectations. I often get asked what my current compensation is, to which I politely decline stating that a simple offer of my current salary + a small percentage increase isn't enough to convince me to leave. They usually make a counter after that and it tells me how serious they are at looking for talent. If it's very low, they are simply looking for a college grad they can boss around. If it's midrange, they know what the position and experience are worth but they are cheap and just looking for someone desperate for a job. If it's your current salary + a small percentage increase then likely they'll hire you as a fill in but keep looking. When/if they find someone cheaper they'll let you go after they hire the cheaper guy. If they make a real offer, then they know what you are worth and you both know it.

 

[alkemyst]

I ask first thing since there is no point in going through the process if we are in different ranges. My field isn't very full of available talent and most companies have extremely unrealistic expectations. I often get asked what my current compensation is, to which I politely decline stating that a simple offer of my current salary + a small percentage increase isn't enough to convince me to leave. They usually make a counter after that and it tells me how serious they are at looking for talent. If it's very low, they are simply looking for a college grad they can boss around. If it's midrange, they know what the position and experience are worth but they are cheap and just looking for someone desperate for a job. If it's your current salary + a small percentage increase then likely they'll hire you as a fill in but keep looking. When/if they find someone cheaper they'll let you go after they hire the cheaper guy. If they make a real offer, then they know what you are worth and you both know it.

QFT, my response is always "it's not about what I am currently making, but what it will take me to move on from my current position; and that amount is $xxx,xxxx-xxx,xxx."

I will say the lower end of the range is for something with unique benefits/opportunity. For a more routine / typical position that the higher end of the range is REQUIRED.

I have no problem being honest about the salary I am looking for.

 

[Gillbot]

QFT, my response is always "it's not about what I am currently making, but what it will take me to move on from my current position; and that amount is $xxx,xxxx-xxx,xxx."

I will say the lower end of the range is for something with unique benefits/opportunity. For a more routine / typical position that the higher end of the range is REQUIRED.

I have no problem being honest about the salary I am looking for.

I have no problem decreasing salary if there are other benefits to the position. I've done it before when the promise of a base bonus structure plus salary was mildly better than a current salary without bonus. The thought of a lateral move was scary, but the promise of good company performance equaling a large bonus made the risk worth it.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

No, you do not discuss salary yet.

I disagree as well. It's such a waste of time going through round after round of interviews to have them tell you completely out of your raange.

 

[Brovane]

I'm going through this myself. Have a 4th interview Wednesday with a major media company. I have asked three times for the salary range and the best answer I ever got was "We'll make you an offer in line with your experience." That was on the first call.

The other two interviews have been the same person and he's claiming he doesn't know. I'm expecting Wednesday to be the actual offer so I guess I'll find out then.

I always try to get the salary range first because I don't like wasting time.

What the hell. That is such a load of baloney. Sounds like they are try to just jerk you around.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

What the hell. That is such a load of baloney. Sounds like they are try to just jerk you around.

A lot of places do this. My current job did this with me during the hiring process too. I dealt with it since I really wanted to leave my previous job.

It's BS especially if you're working at another place and you have to take time off to interview etc.

 

[purbeast0]

i wouldn't go to an interview before knowing the salary range for the position. it's not worth wasting mine or their time.

 

[TridenT]

Ask during the screening.

 

[alkemyst]

I have no problem decreasing salary if there are other benefits to the position. I've done it before when the promise of a base bonus structure plus salary was mildly better than a current salary without bonus. The thought of a lateral move was scary, but the promise of good company performance equaling a large bonus made the risk worth it.

I agree.

I have even taken less salary just for extra free time when I wasn't so family oriented.

Lateral moves make a lot of sense if you do know you can deliver and they have a more or less guaranteed carrot placed on the offer table.

I was too loyal when I was young with my job. I wished I played the field in that a bit like other things.

 

[Brovane]

A lot of places do this. My current job did this with me during the hiring process too. I dealt with it since I really wanted to leave my previous job.

It's BS especially if you're working at another place and you have to take time off to interview etc.

That is what I am concerned about. They want you to state a salary range but they refuse to state a salary range for the job. If you don't have a highly in-demand skillset then you have to deal with this crap.

 

[alkemyst]

That is what I am concerned about. They want you to state a salary range but they refuse to state a salary range for the job. If you don't have a highly in-demand skillset then you have to deal with this crap.

Not really, you just have to be impressive.

I do counterpoint an interviewer and ask what they typically pay someone for this position if pushed too hard. I will also come with a GlassDoor or other site print-out if they are playing games.

There are two types looking for a job:

1) the person hoping for a lottery win

2) the person that can deliver.

#1 makes a head hunter/hiring manager/etc's life difficult.