Hello.

20 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 7,2023 at 9:10PM UTC

   I'm in a government position. For us we start with a budgeted amount (usually around midpoint). When we select a candidate, HR reviews the resume and job description and considers any other relevant aspects (e.g., if an internal employee is jumping up one pay grade, there's a 15% cap that we'd have to get approval from an outside agency to override). If someone substantially exceeds the minimum requirements of the posted position, HR is likely to approve midpoint. Even if HR recommends above midpoint, we would only be able to offer up to our budget unless we jumped through hoops to get approval for extra salary. You can probably expect somewhere around midpoint in your situation, but there's around 10K difference depending on which set of figures are correct. If whatever they offer isn't what you need to make, give them a higher number and see if you can meet in the middle. Ultimately, if they can't pay you what you need to make (as long as you have the qualifications to justify), you need to keep looking.

2. AnonymousFebruary 7,2023 at 10:18PM UTC

   I would wait and see what they actually offer in writing. If you have the discussion first, then request the highest end and then when asked about it say it's market value fir the role and suitable candidate.

3. Bonnie CoventryFebruary 7,2023 at 11:05PM UTC

   IMO, any position that requires at minimum an Associate degree is not really why they're asking. So, a Bachelor's degree isn't really going to give you a leg up in the salary range. If you attach your experience and do your homework on the average salary in your area and speak to that why behind your ask you may be better prepared as an informed candidate. I think it is okay to be transparent in an interview to provide what range you're looking for in their range they've shared. 7 months experience isn't subject matter expert but BUT attach that to the case management experience and be able to speak on the bullet points listed on the job description. I wouldn't say 'this is how I did it 9 years ago', I would speak to what you would do today and be familiar with the processes of today. Speak to the now and not the past. I think through prepping for that conversation will serve you well. Good luck! Your next adventure is out there!

4. Cindy GloverFebruary 8,2023 at 1:48AM UTC

   What do YOU feel about how much you can bring to Company?

   I realize they are interviewing you, but you have every right to interview them and hold your ground for the position you feel most qualified for.

   Be confident, tell them what you can accomplish by working for them. If they negotiate a salary you feel is not suitable for your experience, walk out. Being in HR, I find some candidates that “talk the talk” but when I see confidence, know their worth tells me a lot about the person. ?

5. AnonymousFebruary 8,2023 at 4:35PM UTC

   Whatever you end up doing, please stop believing that you cannot bring up salary at any point in the interview process or BEFORE. Salary is important, I don't know of anyone who goes into saying "well I can make whatever they decide they want to pay me" - no, you have a number you NEED to make to survive and provide and if you spend all of this time interviewing for the company to tell you that number is not in their budget you will have wasted all of your and their time. I always have a conversation about salary before I ever even interview and it hasn't once kept me from getting an offer in the end but it has saved me from wasting my time on multiple rounds of interviews with companies who cannot afford someone with my education and experience. Good luck but have this conversation with them sooner rather than later in my opinion.

6. Cindy GloverFebruary 8,2023 at 7:56PM UTC

   Great advice!!

7. Kimberly GrahamFebruary 9,2023 at 4:08PM UTC

   Fabulous advice!

8. Vanda LeeFebruary 10,2023 at 5:22PM UTC

   Thank you! Spot on!

9. AnonymousFebruary 9,2023 at 3:19PM UTC

   Do not give them an exact number. Respond with "I've seen the published range as $41K to $54K but $41K to $74K in another posting - what is the true range? " they may be jacking up the range to $74K based on non-base salary comp. You will be safest saying you can't give a specific number until you know more about the non-base comp and benefits but you were thinking somewhere between $50K and $60K.

10. AnonymousFebruary 9,2023 at 5:19PM UTC

    If you're not at the end of the process don't even think about this. Focus on being the selected candidate. Write a thank you note to the interviewers. Reinforce your interest and skills for the job. Let them know when you would be available to start. Be sure to use the spell and grammar checker when you write that letter and make sure you spell the names correctly of the folks you will be working with that you met. Let them know of your timeline, and ask for the job. IE: I am really excited about working with you and look forward to learning so much once I join.

    Be a bit presumptive in the note. I would take the job no matter what the salary is as they are in charge of that. Though their job description and posting lists what it does they will match you to where you fit into their internal structure organizationally. Find out if the offer is lower that you hoped for how often they review and raise folks who are star performers. If you cannot live with the answers they share, keep looking.

11. AnonymousFebruary 9,2023 at 7:10PM UTC

    Right now you can't know if you're even a top candidate. Wait for a real write offer before you get so far ahead of yourself. Good luck.

12. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 10,2023 at 5:55AM UTC

    Argh! This pisses me off so much. I speak with my candidates about compensation on my first call with them. Always.

    CANDIDATES - If the recruiter doesn't bring up comp - YOU bring it up. Ask what the salary range is. Unless you are ok with them possibly wasting your time.

13. AnonymousFebruary 11,2023 at 1:38AM UTC

    Thanks Joan.

14. Joann S. LublinFebruary 10,2023 at 1:41PM UTC

    It also would be great idea if you tracked down individuals who previously held this post and have left the employer -- to not only get a better sense of what they liked and disliked but how hard they had to negotiate over a starting salary and subsequent pay increases. If you end up taking the job for less than the highest range, I suggest you also negotiate a performance review after three or six months tied to agreed upon goals -- with the commitment for a certain percentage raise at that point if you meet your goals. Best of luck!! More advice about negotiating fair pay can be found in my first book, #EarningIt.

15. Stephanie F, MSHRMFebruary 10,2023 at 4:55PM UTC

    It's been such a taboo to not ask about money, but I feel not doing so and letting expectations be known upfront waste everyone's time. Most times the salary range is posted in the advertisement so you know what to expect at minimum. If it is not, it is okay to ask about it.In my industry, the salary range is based on the equity within the unit (those in the same job code, etc., and who have been there longer) and the department's budget. The salary offered within a range should be based on experience.

16. Vanda LeeFebruary 10,2023 at 5:20PM UTC

    Towards the end of he interview, I'm sure they will ask if you have any questions. If they haven't addressed the salary, I tell them you saw different ranges on the job posting and ask if they can narrow it down for you.

17. Jennifer ShoffnerFebruary 10,2023 at 5:40PM UTC

    The discussion of salary is such a stigma! When I find a candidate that interests me, we START with the discussion of salary. I don't want to waste anyone's time. Typically, we already know what we want to pay so I make sure we are in the candidates range before we move forward with an in-person interview. I don't have any issue with the candidate bringing up the salary and I would suggest you find a way to work it in the conversation soon rather than later.

18. IntentionGirl299847February 10,2023 at 7:52PM UTC

    Indeed never gets the salary right. Look at the company's website and see what the actual job posting says and go from there. I talk about salary upfront always as my time is valuable as theirs is. Need to know if will stay and negotiate or walk out. What are you worth? How many years experience are you bringing? Employers want to get you as cheap as possible. Have a range so state $50,000 per year and go from there. Take charge of your life from the start.

19. AnonymousFebruary 11,2023 at 4:49PM UTC

    wait and see what they offer? (you might be jumping the gun here)

20. Liz MilneFebruary 16,2023 at 12:03AM UTC

    Tell them you're looking for 55 and see where that takes you? If they ask. If they offer more than that bite their hands off! Good luck!