Job interview - low-balled myself ...

[FusionKnight]

Hey guys,

I'll be graduating from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor's in Computer Science in April. I've been applying for jobs in the usual places (monster, etc) and recently had a small consulting company contacting me for an interview. I realized that the company employed all of nine people altogether and has three dozen or so clients, so a pretty tiny company.

The interview went incredibly well, and they invited me back to do a programming test this Wednesday. I made what I think is a mistake, though. When they asked what my expected salary was, I kinda fumbled around and eventually came up with "Well, to pay all my bills, I'd need at least $40,000 a year." Note that's in CAD, not USD. I said $40,000 because 1) I didn't want to overprice myself and 2) I wanted to make sure I was considered affordable by a smaller company.

I did some research and discovered from a variety of online sources (http://www.payscale.com/research/CA/City=Calgary/Salary, for instance) is nearer $50,000CAD.

Now, to the question: If they do end up offering me a job at $40,000, would it be completely unwarranted of me to say, "I've done some research blah blah blah I want more money"? And if that's acceptable, how do I even bring that up?

Thanks,
FK

 

[spidey07]

You bring it up by negotiating. Nothing wrong with asking for more or saying "after reviewing the position I feel it is worth xx,xxx".

Next time never give a number first.

 

[Kntx]

If they give an offer it will be in a letter. You can write a letter back with a counteroffer. Such is the way of things.

 

[her209]

:laugh:

 

[imported_cheapdude]

If they give you 40k, tell them you meant 40k after taxes and expenses.

 

[Jeff7]

Technically you said "at least $40K."
So technically you should be able to ask for more.

If you'd said "no more than $40K," then you couldn't ask for more.

 

[chusteczka]

Originally posted by: cheapdude
If they give you 40k, tell them you meant 40k after taxes and expenses.

I like that. :thumbsup:

 

[Strk]

You didn't accept anything, so the worst case scenario is that you will have to negotiate for more before you say yes.

 

[ThePresence]

I was interview a few weeks ago. They asked me how much I expected to make. I said, it's your company, you tell me how much you think I'm worth to you. I never gave a number first and I got a nice offer. I don't know if that could work in every case, but it did in mine.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: FusionKnight
Hey guys,

I'll be graduating from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor's in Computer Science in April. I've been applying for jobs in the usual places (monster, etc) and recently had a small consulting company contacting me for an interview. I realized that the company employed all of nine people altogether and has three dozen or so clients, so a pretty tiny company.

The interview went incredibly well, and they invited me back to do a programming test this Wednesday. I made what I think is a mistake, though. When they asked what my expected salary was, I kinda fumbled around and eventually came up with "Well, to pay all my bills, I'd need at least $40,000 a year." Note that's in CAD, not USD. I said $40,000 because 1) I didn't want to overprice myself and 2) I wanted to make sure I was considered affordable by a smaller company.

I did some research and discovered from a variety of online sources (http://www.payscale.com/research/CA/City=Calgary/Salary, for instance) is nearer $50,000CAD.

Now, to the question: If they do end up offering me a job at $40,000, would it be completely unwarranted of me to say, "I've done some research blah blah blah I want more money"? And if that's acceptable, how do I even bring that up?

Thanks,
FK

yup, you shot yourself in the foot.

 

[olds]

In my never to be humble opinion (thanks, Dr Laura) I think you did shoot yourself in the foot.
You told them you wanted 40k a year. If you ask for more you'll look unprofessional and unintelligent.
Unprofessional because you made an offer then tried to change it.
Unintelligent because you didn't research the job before going in for it.
Who wants to hire someone like that?

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: Jeff7
Technically you said "at least $40K."
So technically you should be able to ask for more.

If you'd said "no more than $40K," then you couldn't ask for more.

I don't think it matters. An employer will pay you pennies if they could.

 

[nageov3t]

salaries are almost always inflated on the internet.

just ask ATOT, where 99% of people here make over 100K a year by the age of 18

 

[FusionKnight]

Thanks for all the replies.

Well, this was my first professional interview so I think I did ok except for the issue at hand. I'll cross this bridge if and when they give me an offer. For future reference, though, what do people typically say when asked about an expected salary? Just "negotiable", or what?

Thanks again,
FK

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: FusionKnight
Thanks for all the replies.

Well, this was my first professional interview so I think I did ok except for the issue at hand. I'll cross this bridge if and when they give me an offer. For future reference, though, what do people typically say when asked about an expected salary? Just "negotiable", or what?

Thanks again,
FK

They do some research and see what the industry is paying.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: FusionKnight
Thanks for all the replies.

Well, this was my first professional interview so I think I did ok except for the issue at hand. I'll cross this bridge if and when they give me an offer. For future reference, though, what do people typically say when asked about an expected salary? Just "negotiable", or what?

Thanks again,
FK

"A compensation package that is in line with the responsibilities and decision making abilites of the position"

 

[imported_cheapdude]

Originally posted by: FusionKnight
Thanks for all the replies.

Well, this was my first professional interview so I think I did ok except for the issue at hand. I'll cross this bridge if and when they give me an offer. For future reference, though, what do people typically say when asked about an expected salary? Just "negotiable", or what?

Thanks again,
FK

Tell them that there will be a negotiation when a reasonable offer is being presented.
Personally, I won't even go to an interview if I don't have an idea how much they pay.

 

[Allanv]

Like everyone said spec out the salary in your area an go with what u realy need, but pitch a bit higher so that if you need to come down you are not going to put yorself into poverty.

factor in car fuel, rent etc etc and a good amount of high life then get lower if needed.

then one day you can ask what i do £1200 per day yes that 1200 per day

regards

Allanv

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: Jeff7
Technically you said "at least $40K."
So technically you should be able to ask for more.

If you'd said "no more than $40K," then you couldn't ask for more.

I don't think it matters. An employer will pay you pennies if they could.

Hence my use of the word "technically" twice, and in italics.

You know, like saying, "Technically the war in Iraq could be over tomorrow if we "disposed" of all our nuclear warheads there."
Sure, "technically" it could be done. It doesn't mean that it should be done, or that it would work.

 

[FDF12389]

I just did a interview on friday, we discussed salary and they said 12-15 an hour during training, I said 15-17 sounds good, then they said, no we can only do 15. So I turned 12-15 into 15. Not as much as I hoped to make through college but they offer tuition rembersment up 8,000 a year and really nice benefits so I hope to get a offer tomorrow. Good luck to you.

 

[Rayden]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Next time never give a number first.

The trueth. Never ever give them a number.

"What do you expect to make?"

"Based on my exceptional talents and experience I expect to be well compensated with something similar or above industry average for new graduates." <-- ONLY if you have that extra stuff to be paid above average. Adjust that sentence based on your own experienced. NEVER EVER say a number first. Also rarely accept their first offer.

You should be talking to multiple companies and be able to say to them "I am really attracted to your company and would like to work with you. I have some other oppurtunities to consider. Can the offered amount be moved at all?" Again, ONLY say this if it is actually true. You don't want to be a jerk about it, but they expect you to negotiate for more.