Asking about salary before in person interview

[Semidevil]

For a job interview, suppose I pass the HR screening, first phone interview, and the next comes the in person interview, is there any way to ask about expected salary range without it sounding inappropriate?

The reason is it's an out of state job and I don't want to drive 5 hours If the salary range is the only thing that is keeping me from the job

 

[smackababy]

For a job interview, suppose I pass the HR screening, first phone interview, and the next comes the in person interview, is there any way to ask about expected salary range without it sounding inappropriate?

The reason is it's an out of state job and I don't want to drive 5 hours If the salary range is the only thing that is keeping me from the job

If you've already done the HR screening and phone interview, I would think it is unlikely they are unaware of the range you're asking or you're unaware of the range the position commands. I suppose there is a chance it might come up in the interview though. If you really have no idea, I'd be sure to ask about it.

 

[DesiPower]

HR should make that clear even before the 1st round of interview. Final negotiation takes place after the last interview, when the offer is made. Also, glassdoor is your buddy when you have these type of questions

 

[MrDudeMan]

Isn't it already listed in the ad? How did you find out about the job?

 

[Red Storm]

One of the first things I always find out is how much the job pays. No beating around the bush when it comes to how much money you will be making.

 

[alkemyst]

One of the first things I always find out is how much the job pays. No beating around the bush when it comes to how much money you will be making.

QFT...especially that so many jobs 1) do not list salary and 2) have hiring managers that have unrealistic expectations.

I usually will open the initial conversation with WHAT I am looking for salary wise and go off their reply, if it's even worthwhile moving forward.

I have interviewed to jobs that said they were paying well and they weren't even paying in the lower 10% of the typical salary range and had additional bullshit tacked on the job description.

 

[PenguinPower]

Ask during the initial screen or when discussing the offer. No other time.

 

[PenguinPower]

Isn't it already listed in the ad? How did you find out about the job?

Most companies do not list on the ad, or even discuss pre-offer unless the question is raised.

 

[z1ggy]

There's a solid chance in the phone interview that one of the things they'll ask you is how much you expect to be paid for this position. If your salary requirement falls within a range they are willing to pay, you'll likely get the in person interview, assuming all else went well.

 

[BikeJunkie]

I actually just went through this. In first phone interview, HR asked what my salary requirements were. I stated them. They were quite reasonable (well within market) and HR doesn't even bat an eyelash.

We go through 4 (yeah, FOUR) rounds of interviews and I come out on top. Offer comes in. It's 15% less than my current salary. WTF? I respectfully decline the offer, stating salary as the reason, expressed disappointment given how well we all hit it off (we really did gel quite well). They bump the salary to within 5%. No dice. Then they offer the remaining 5% as a signing bonus. I was tempted to accept at that point, but getting there was like pulling teeth and I really worked my boss over getting it. Didn't want it coming back to haunt me down the road.

Left things on good terms, but still a bummer

 

[Ns1]

That's a ridiculous waste of time @ bikejunkie

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I actually just went through this. In first phone interview, HR asked what my salary requirements were. I stated them. They were quite reasonable (well within market) and HR doesn't even bat an eyelash.

We go through 4 (yeah, FOUR) rounds of interviews and I come out on top. Offer comes in. It's 15% less than my current salary. WTF? I respectfully decline the offer, stating salary as the reason, expressed disappointment given how well we all hit it off (we really did gel quite well). They bump the salary to within 5%. No dice. Then they offer the remaining 5% as a signing bonus. I was tempted to accept at that point, but getting there was like pulling teeth and I really worked my boss over getting it. Didn't want it coming back to haunt me down the road.

Left things on good terms, but still a bummer

I'd be so pissed for wasting my time like that after you clearly told them your requirements.

OP, there is nothing wrong with asking. In the past, I've been very blunt and said something to the effect "I appreciate you calling me and this sounds like a great opportunity, but I don't want to waste anyone's time so I'd appreciate it if we could discuss the salary range for the position prior to committing to additional interviews." These folks are probably busy and should appreciate you being respectful of everyone's time. If they don't like it, they're probably not a company you'd want to work for in this day and age.

Also, never give your salary history. I always ignore that requirement when I'm applying for a job. There is probably nothing wrong with specifying a range (be careful though!), but your salary history is none of their business. Most still call me and on one interview, the HR person asked me "How much do you currently make?" I actually responded with: "How much do you currently make?" The point was made and I still got the job offer.

 

[Phynaz]

No, you do not discuss salary yet.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

No, you do not discuss salary yet.

Disagree. He's been through two rounds and is being asked to come for an onsite interview in a different state. This is the perfect time to discuss the salary range and benefits in order to avoid wasting everyone's time.

 

[Corporate Thug]

ask them straight up...if it's not what you are looking for, they will appreciate your honesty as they won't wasting their own time interviewing someone who isn't going to accept the salary range.

 

[smackababy]

ask them straight up...if it's not what you are looking for, they will appreciate your honesty as they won't wasting their own time interviewing someone who isn't going to accept the salary range.

Pretty much this. They know the range they want to pay and you know the range you're willing to accept. There is no reason wasting everyone's time interviewing for a position that is going to be for much less than you are willing to take.

 

[Mide]

I'd say that if you're already in a conversation phase with the company as in you can email the recruiter or HR person and ask questions, I'd ask. Better to not waste anyone's time.

 

[ultimatebob]

Hell... I made a point to ask the applicant's salary expectations during the phone screen when I interviewed applicants.

The salary expectation ranges are amazing in Connecticut... I've had people expect anywhere from $30,000 a year to $110,000 a year for a software QA test position. A typical applicant with a college degree and 3-5 years of experience should be getting around $70,000.

 

[silverpig]

A good recruiter will ask that up front, to at least make sure you're in the same ballpark.

With your situation, I'd suggest calling up the person you have interacted with the most (recruiter/HR) and say that you are really excited to come in for the interview, but with it being a 5 hr drive away, you want to make sure that you're in the same ballpark on salary. Say what you make now, or what you are looking for in a range, and see if they have a problem or not. Make it clear you don't need to get anything on paper, or to nail down a number, but you want to be respectful of their time and want to make sure you aren't wasting it.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Ask what the salary band is for the position. If they won't tell you then I'd be thinking they pay crap. If they pay market rates for the position, then why hide the band?

 

[mikeford]

Nobody with experience selling something hides good news. Talk to somebody neutral in HR and ask what the range is for the position. You never know when a company is just jerking you around prior to hiring their intended green card candidate.

 

[BikeJunkie]

Disagree. He's been through two rounds and is being asked to come for an onsite interview in a different state. This is the perfect time to discuss the salary range and benefits in order to avoid wasting everyone's time.

I agree with ICF - especially after my own lessons learned. There comes a point in the process when continuing to beat around the bush is just setting yourself up for wasting a ton of time and effort.

 

[halik]

I actually just went through this. In first phone interview, HR asked what my salary requirements were. I stated them. They were quite reasonable (well within market) and HR doesn't even bat an eyelash.

We go through 4 (yeah, FOUR) rounds of interviews and I come out on top. Offer comes in. It's 15% less than my current salary. WTF? I respectfully decline the offer, stating salary as the reason, expressed disappointment given how well we all hit it off (we really did gel quite well). They bump the salary to within 5%. No dice. Then they offer the remaining 5% as a signing bonus. I was tempted to accept at that point, but getting there was like pulling teeth and I really worked my boss over getting it. Didn't want it coming back to haunt me down the road.

Left things on good terms, but still a bummer

Wow what a huge waste of time. And agreed on the reasoning, sounds like they were the kind of people that would hold the bumps your head had you accepted.

 

[brianmanahan]

the last place i applied asked for my expectations on the application. i didn't fill it in, but i gave them a range during the first phone interview.

 

[child of wonder]

I recently told the interviewer what I was making but that was only because he was my former boss and knew pretty much what I was making already. Plus I wanted to be sure they could beat my current compensation. If not, let's not waste our time.