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Asking about salary before going on a job interview

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isasir

Diamond Member
So I'm reasonably happy at my current job, but I've been here about 7 years and I'm curious what's out there. However, for pretty much any job interview I were to get, I'd need to take time off from work.

If a company calls me to come in for an interview, is there an appropriate way to ask the salary (or the range), to know if taking the day off is worth my time?
 
Best thing to hope for is a phone interview. That way you can feal the job out and ask about salery. Of course they might just say well that is up to the next person...

But I have always been asked what I am looking for. I like to leave it vauge and just hint at a high area. 🙂
 
i suppose it depends what field you are in. my field is flaming hot right now (software), so i guess you can get away with more . if someone calls asking if im looking for a job, i just up front ask them the salary range . they are usually pretty ok with it.

 
I've seen people have really good sucess by saying "i make XXXXX currently with XXX benefits" can you match it, beat it, or offer me a better work environment"
 
One approach that has worked for me in the past is to make a call to HR at the company that has invited you in for an interview and tell them you are thinking about applying for the position but wanted to make sure that the salary was something you would be happy with and could they give you the approved salary range for it.
 
Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
One approach that has worked for me in the past is to make a call to HR at the company that has invited you in for an interview and tell them you are thinking about applying for the position but wanted to make sure that the salary was something you would be happy with and could they give you the approved salary range for it.
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So you accept the interview (or say you'll get back to them), but call later on pretending to be someone else? I guess that could work.
 
Company calls to schedule an interview.

You: "Before we get the interview set up, I just want to confirm that the salary range for the position matches the salary range I'm looking for so we don't spend time pursuing something that might not be a match. The range I'm currently looking for is x to y - does that sound like it will be a level fit for the position we're talking about?"

Yes, it's entirely appropriate to confirm the salary range before going in to interview. The company doesn't want to waste their time any more than you want to waste yours. A good recruiter will beat you to the question when they do a pre-screen, but good recruiters are few and far between.

<---- is in HR and has been in recruiting.
 
Originally posted by: isasir
Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
One approach that has worked for me in the past is to make a call to HR at the company that has invited you in for an interview and tell them you are thinking about applying for the position but wanted to make sure that the salary was something you would be happy with and could they give you the approved salary range for it.
Click to expand...

So you accept the interview (or say you'll get back to them), but call later on pretending to be someone else? I guess that could work.
Click to expand...

Don't do that - your voice isn't all that distinctive and if you get recognized, you'll just get marked down as "weird" and probably not have a very good shot, if any, at the role. Act like a professional and ask straight up.
 
I always get the range in an email discussion before an interview is ever setup. If they don't want to tell you the range up front, then that means they plan on low-balling you.
 
Originally posted by: isasir
is there an appropriate way to ask the salary (or the range), to know if taking the day off is worth my time?
Click to expand...
What is the pay? I fail to see the complexity of the situation.
 
I don't see why it's 'bad' to ask for the salary range, when it'll save you both time in the long run.
Another option to ask about the position and look it up on salary.com
 
you only bring up the topic once you have passed the interview. you never bring it up before it, unless the interviewer brings it up; at what point it becomes fair game.

It is fair and it is only business, the interviewer would understand it when you bring it up afterwards when the interview is over and they have offered you a job. after that you can talk about compensation, fringe benefits, work time, etc and all that.

if you think the salary offered is low, go ahead and ask them, if you can negotiate the compensation offer ( again, its only business, they will get it). be prepared though to know what the salary range of the job you are applying for is. this way you can tell them that the current going offer for example for an undergrad with an accounting degree is so and so.

you can do this over the phone up to 2 weeks after the interview. a good time would be is when they call you to offer you a job.
I myself am a senior in th Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington, IN with accounting\finance major.

Good luck.
 
Originally posted by: santz
you only bring up the topic once you have passed the interview. you never bring it up before it, unless the interviewer brings it up; at what point it becomes fair game.

It is fair and it is only business, the interviewer would understand it when you bring it up afterwards when the interview is over and they have offered you a job. after that you can talk about compensation, fringe benefits, work time, etc and all that.

if you think the salary offered is low, go ahead and ask them, if you can negotiate the compensation offer ( again, its only business, they will get it). be prepared though to know what the salary range of the job you are applying for is. this way you can tell them that the current going offer for example for an undergrad with an accounting degree is so and so.

you can do this over the phone up to 2 weeks after the interview. a good time would be is when they call you to offer you a job.
I myself am a senior in th Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington, IN with accounting\finance major.

Good luck.
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I completely disagree. You want to know if the salary is in the ballpark before you invest time in interviewing, and the company wants to know if you're the appropriate level for the job.
 
Originally posted by: HotChic
Originally posted by: santz
you only bring up the topic once you have passed the interview. you never bring it up before it, unless the interviewer brings it up; at what point it becomes fair game.

It is fair and it is only business, the interviewer would understand it when you bring it up afterwards when the interview is over and they have offered you a job. after that you can talk about compensation, fringe benefits, work time, etc and all that.

if you think the salary offered is low, go ahead and ask them, if you can negotiate the compensation offer ( again, its only business, they will get it). be prepared though to know what the salary range of the job you are applying for is. this way you can tell them that the current going offer for example for an undergrad with an accounting degree is so and so.

you can do this over the phone up to 2 weeks after the interview. a good time would be is when they call you to offer you a job.
I myself am a senior in th Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington, IN with accounting\finance major.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

I completely disagree. You want to know if the salary is in the ballpark before you invest time in interviewing, and the company wants to know if you're the appropriate level for the job.
Click to expand...

Isn't that was a job interview is for? For you to find out about getting paid and for them to find out how well they can use you?
 
I am sorry to bother you and even ask this question but I also hate to take up your valuable time and mine, would it be ok if I ask about where this new position would start me around if I were to accept it? This way I will know if it will be within my means and can get a feel if the pay is around what I would be expecting and can afford to live on. Again I hate to pry just my time is limited as well as I am sure so is yours and would hate to find out your offer would be something I couldn't afford to leave my present employment for.

If I was approched like this I wouldn't take offense to it and would give a round about starting salary. Id be upset myself if I had to do an interview with someone for a hour to find out my pay isnt anywhere near what he would of expected and to have wasted my time when I could of used that time for other productive means, would of liked the upfrontness (yeah I made it up) and bold move on his/her part to bring it up. Thought of my time and theirs, one up in my book and thinking ahead.
 
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