Asking for a salary range before the interview...?

[jinduy]

This HR person asked me to come up for an interview, about a 40 mile drive, and i don't want to bother going if the salary is going to be lower than what i want. You guys think iit's okay to ask the HR person what the range is before even going to this interview? thanks

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

did you specify on your resume package or cover letter your salary requirments? if so, then assume they will meet them. If not, it is reasonable to offer them now and ask if that is within the range they are expecting when you return the call to discuss the interview.


however, be aware that often the proposed salary for a position can be negotiable if they decide they really like you. I once gave up on a company after hearing the low salary range they anticipated, but they liked me well enough after the interview to make a very good offer in line with what I was expecting.

 

[Stuxnet]

Go to the interview and discuss it at the end. If it's a job you're willing to commute to every day, then this 40 miles can't be that bad.

It would be inappropriate to just call them up and ask them at this point.

 

[TXHokie]

I've done it before - nothing wrong with that. It is a major consideration factor for me when considering a job so I'd like to know that I'm not wasting my time and resource.

 

[thomsbrain]

my experience is that i do well enough in the interviews that even if they quote me a salary beforehand, they raise the offer after meeting me, without my even asking. so i wouldn't bother asking, because if you skip an interview because their inital offer is low, you may be losing out on their higher offer later on.

 

[NogginBoink]

I don't think it would hurt to ask.

It's a waste of both your time and their time to interview for a job you know you won't accept.

 

[MoobyTheGoldenCalf]

I always ask. Tell them you don't want to waste your time or their time. It's not inappropriate at all, you're not going to offend anyone. My wife works in HR and she appreciates when somebody does this. Think about it, if you're looking for $70K and they only have a range of 50K, do you really think they would rather you come in and waste an hour of their day or "be polite" and not ask first.

 

[jinduy]

ok i just asked... their range is like 50-60... iwas hoping for 65-70

i will givei t a shot tho and hope things turn out well for me like it did for thomsbrain