Navigating the dreaded salary question in this market.

15 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 1,2024 at 8:40PM UTC

   Typically they don't ask you salary requirements until they make an offer. At least that's what I have experienced in California. It is supposed to be based on experience, # of years in your field, and an increase from your last job. I'd give them a ballpark range of what you would be comfortable accepting.

2. AnonymousApril 1,2024 at 10:12PM UTC

   Supposed to be, but some places will accept a "higher" range and COMPLETELY dump a TON of work after.

   Moral of this: interview THEM as they interview you and listen to your gut! One place I interviewed completely ran a dysfunctional place, as I worked there. Admittedly, I was desperate.

   Since then --Another I interviewed said "the last person quit abruptly and she was tired of having to 'do everything-- and they said they had a retention problem"

   I took myself out. Sometimes you can overcome a retention issue, but usually they show their colors.

3. AnonymousApril 1,2024 at 9:56PM UTC

   I was asked for a salary within a rage they advertised WHEN I applied.

   I gave a number a bit halfway between (slightly over). I have the experience to back it up.

   I certainly am worth more (aren't we all?) but didn't want to price myself out.

   I didn't know my compensation. Leaves room for future bargain power

4. AnonymousApril 1,2024 at 9:57PM UTC

   You have 2 choices:

   1)Best (if company will accept it):“Negotiable” which doesn’t rule out either your desired range or theirs.

   2)If you want to be sure, you can cite job description range.

   If the company likes your credentials and wants to interview you, they will likely accept “negotiable.”

   If the company is just trying to save money, it is possible that they will interview candidates who used the JD range.

   Hard to tell in advance what they will do.

5. KathyAnn KrajcikApril 4,2024 at 10:31PM UTC

   I never got away with just saying negotiable.

6. AnonymousApril 7,2024 at 9:47PM UTC

   KathyAnn — Sorry to hear that “negotiable” didn’t work for you. It has worked for me repeatedly, perhaps b/c I often followed this up with “What’s your range?”, when the company hadn’t previously mentioned salary.

7. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachApril 2,2024 at 2:02AM UTC

   I would stick with what the market value for the role is - even if it's a range, especially so you don't set your standards lower based on your previous role.

8. AnonymousApril 2,2024 at 7:49AM UTC

   If at all possible, stall and say that your salary requirements are negotiable dependent upon your understanding of the role and responsibilities. If questioned further, that you don't yet have enough information to cite a number, but are certain if you are right for the role that the offer will be fair according to the market for the position. Beyond that, at the proper time ask them what they have in mind for the position. If they tell you that, then you can avoid totally pricing yourself out of the market. Since (at least in Silicon Valley) they usually expect you to counter with about 10 percent more, take their number if they give you one or pick a number in the range and suggest somewhere in the neighborhood or a bit shy of 10 percent more. I did this last time I negotiated and ended up with about a 7% increase for the year beyond their stated number. Could have maybe gone for more, but might have had a target on my back -- not bad for a few minutes' work!

9. AnonymousApril 2,2024 at 3:54PM UTC

   Thank you and in other circumstances, I've negotiated salary. In this market, companies are reducing salaries and last month talked myself out of a job before it started with HR and hiring managers by stating the high end of what was listed. they said budgets were cut since the listing and can only offer x. They didn't feel I would be happy at that range due to my experience.

   Right now, I need a job. I's not about what I would prefer in an ideal situation so I've conveyed that the role and opportunity to work for the company outweighed salary and I would be comfortable with that amount.....Crickets!

   This time, I repeated the JD salary range but due to interviewing with the company previously, I know they would go 10% higher than the top end. I was nervous about getting the opportunity to move forward that I kept with the salary range. Do I still have power to negotiate later or at least get the top end? This market has left me nervously instead of confidently navigating my search.

10. KathyAnn KrajcikApril 4,2024 at 10:06PM UTC

    This is the worst job market I have ever seen. What companies want to pay is insulting. I can't pay the mortgage on my house with what is being offered.

11. AnonymousApril 5,2024 at 10:14PM UTC

    Yes, do negotiate still, as they may surprise you with matching your current salary or higher if that is what you are asking.

    Itvis all about the 'right fit' ....trust your instincts! There ARE jobs out there willing to hire!!

12. AnonymousApril 3,2024 at 2:58PM UTC

    It is increasingly common for HR to ask about salary in the initial screening/interview.

    IF the salary range is posted in the job, I would say something like "I am comfortable the range listed in the application and would be happy to evaluate the total compensation package if an offer is made." Most companies aren't listing benefits, bonus comp, etc. in postings so making a decision solely on base salary is moot anyway.

    If they don't post salary or push for a number, then I would ask them what they expect to compensate for the position and reiterate that you're willing to evaluate the total comp package if/when the time comes.

13. AnonymousApril 5,2024 at 10:10PM UTC

    Love this response! Tucking it away for future!

14. AnonymousApril 4,2024 at 5:09PM UTC

    The response should be when we get to the stage where you hire me (saying confidently)I can work within the range you have set and reported for this role. If you truly cannot or are not willing to take less you need to firmly state your bottom line.

15. Liza LeeApril 5,2024 at 5:47PM UTC

    This company posting a salary range that is outdated sounds like bait and switch.
    Perhaps they are informing you of the decrease now before they were able to update it but then it's still a misleading job post and starts things off on the wrong foot. I've not experienced that before, but have experienced salary being stated up front or later on in the process.

    It sounds like you prefer to stay in their range for the sake of a job, but agreeing to the lower range given a previous experience. However, you also state that you're aware they have the ability to offer 10% more. I suggest starting discussions off in the range you can live with and then pushing for more if you get the sense you're a top candidate during the course of the interviewing. Good luck!