I’d love some input on people’s experience with interviewing.

16 Comments

1. Balanced372207October 26,2023 at 1:35PM UTC

   New standard to benefit the employer

2. AnonymousOctober 26,2023 at 1:38PM UTC

   Stated ranges are just points of negotiation and are usually based on the budget for personnel. Most places hope to get someone for less than the top dollar but want leeway to offer more if a pure "rock star" presents and requires the higher range. I have passed over roles for being too high and too low, as I have a keen understanding of my market value, and someone is not likely to offer me more than twice what I am worth.

   Be aware that you should target the mid-range of the salary band, not the top end because if you hire in at the top, you will likely have to wait longer for any salary increases.

3. Tracey MorrisOctober 26,2023 at 1:42PM UTC

   Many of the pay transparency laws in states across the US require the employer to post the full range assigned to the position. Unfortunately, that range does not always align with the budget for the role, the internal equity within the department or the market demands for the role. In my experience, most employers consider the midpoint appropriate for someone who meets all the requirements. Someone with less would fall below and someone with more would rise above that midpoint. I know it is frustrating, but my best advice is to be very clear about your salary expectations from the start so that you aren't wasting your time.

4. AnonymousOctober 26,2023 at 1:54PM UTC

   This too, for employers who have very specific pay bands and are reluctant to go outside of it, may want to start someone at the midpoint to give them room for increases within that band.

5. AnonymousOctober 26,2023 at 1:52PM UTC

   I'm not 100% actively looking right now; however, I've not been totally dormant either (and after events in my workplace this week, that may change to be full on actively looking).

   Now with that said, I do not solely apply to positions that include a salary range (I do not live in a state that currently requires it). I apply to positions that match with my experience and what I'm looking for. I have a couple of different thoughts on why you may be experiencing what you are, right or wrong. 1. I know a lot of employers are taking the lazy way out when required to show a salary range on postings - just arbitrarily picking a broad range. 2. Third party sites like Glassdoor and what not, if an employer does not provide a range, they will provide their own estimate.

6. AnonymousOctober 26,2023 at 2:28PM UTC

   When I post salaries for roles, it's based on what I have budgeted for the role.

7. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistOctober 26,2023 at 6:42PM UTC

   This is nothing new. Candidates may just be becoming aware of this since the recent Pay Transparency Laws have gone into effect.

   The salary range posted is the range for the life of the position - not a starting salary range. As a general rule, most companies target bringing in new employees at or just below the mid-point of the salary range.

   I've worked in companies where they will not budge one penny over the mid-point and some companies that have a bit more wiggle room - but even in those cases, the mid-point was still the target.

   Most companies work really hard to manage internal compression issues - how can you justify trying to pay a new hire more than someone who is a proven high performer already doing the job, sometimes very successfully for many years. They also need to have upside in the salary range to be able to give candidates the merit increases they will hopefully deserve in years to come.

8. AnonymousOctober 26,2023 at 7:24PM UTC

   So, caution, some sites provide their own ranges, meaning if the employer doesn't provide that site will put in a range that they said has been researched for that demographic and position. So, yes, it can be a range NOT provided by the employer. I would ALWAYS, say "the range that is listed on the postings says $lalalalala, if that is correct than that is the range I'm looking to stay within. If it's not, can you please share with me what the range is"

9. AnonymousOctober 27,2023 at 7:24AM UTC

   I am definitely seeing more of this as well. I think in many cases they're posting the "real" range as a way to attract people to apply with no intention of ever paying that. I also find that nearly every role will insist on bringing someone new in at the lowest possible pay in the range regardless of their skill or experience. It's really frustrating.

10. AnonymousOctober 27,2023 at 1:00PM UTC

    Being a recruiter for many years, I can tell you my own personal experience is that, without a salary range you could be wasting an applicants time as well as a hiring managers time. There are budgets, there are ranges based on location, and required job specifications. Specially, if there’s certain degrees licenses, etc. etc. however it’s been my experience that asking for the salary range sometimes helps the recruiter to advise management that what we might be budgeted for and what we need to pay is very different. In many cases, a company that I worked for would land on an individual based on a good fit versus limiting us to a specific salary. Hence, I think it’s important to know both sides. You have to keep in mind behind the scenes there’s internal equity there’s all kinds of things that influence salary ranges, but I will say from experience companies don’t always completely abide by them, and they’ll hire the person based on their need versus the bottom line dollars. I’m not opposed to giving a wide range when you’re interviewing.

    I also will tell you that in many cases, if an applicant does not state a salary, they may not move forward, because there have been a handful of times that we interviewed candidates without a salary range, and when an offer came down, the candidate wanted an outrageous salary that was not possible.

    understanding internal challenges and what goes on behind the scenes is helpful for this particular post .

11. Krystin MorganOctober 27,2023 at 6:50PM UTC

    It's pretty standard. The range companies post is often the range for the position, period -- not just for a new hire. For example, the high end might be reserved for people who have been in the role/at the company for a while and proven themselves.

    Ideally, a company would clarify that when posting the range, and explain where new hires come in so people can make an informed decision about whether or not to apply.

12. AnonymousOctober 27,2023 at 6:58PM UTC

    The response should be if I am the selected candidate I trust you will pay fair market rate within the range listed. Never hang a number over your head.

13. Elizabyth HarringtonOctober 28,2023 at 12:15PM UTC

    When I am asked, I always respond, “what is the salary range you are targeting?” in my experience, recruiters always have a range for a position.
    If their number is within reason for what I am looking for, then great, the conversation continues . If not, I let them know and either they will tell me it’s fixed or we bargain a bit. Also, I absolutely 100% always bring up salary ranges before the interview starts and companies that aren’t transparent are usually not my first choice to apply to. I absolutely do not ever offer a number first. That has bitten me in the butt once or twice in the past. This approach has the added benefit that it demonstrates right off the bat that I am not afraid to bring up the hard questions, am confident in my worth and willing to negotiate - all important skills in my industry.

14. Stacy Fitzgerald-ReddOctober 29,2023 at 2:35PM UTC

    I have never experienced this. In my most recent interview, the HR manager contacted me before the interview about my salary requirement (their range wasn't posted). When I gave her my number, she said it was within their range. Now my number may have been on the low end of their range, but I gave her the minimum number I would accept. That does not mean that I can't negotiate a slightly higher salary after the offer is made. That is always an option.

15. Liz MilneOctober 29,2023 at 6:26PM UTC

    Honestly, I wouldn't want to work for them if this is what they do to trick people into interviewing with them :(

16. AnonymousOctober 30,2023 at 6:04PM UTC

    Exactly! Once they pull this I stop interviewing right away. It's misleading, if you have no intention of paying a salary that's within the range you posted, then don't post it. Post a range you have budget to pay.