interview question UPDATE! GOT THE JOB!

[ddwbi0]

hey all

I have a second interview tomorrow with a nameless company, and i think that they want to talk to me again about their general accounting position. I originally went it for a sales position but they began to interview me for the accting position also.

My question is...when they ask how much $$ im looking to get...wth do i say? I have NEVER done this type of work before, and I dont even have a degree in accounting(working towards it). They know all this btw. It seems the job involves some accting and some sales, and they hinted at a base +commision pay.

So if you could give me any idea as to what i should say, id appreciate it. THANKS

 

[cpals]

Ask for $500,000 with stock options.

Seriously though, I wouldn't know... if you're serious about getting this job you should research it a little more and find out typical pay rates.

 

[biffbacon]

ask them to be a partner in the company

 

[ddwbi0]

thanks for the ideas so far. I have looked a lil into it, but most pay rates that are given are for somebody with a degree. Would it be acceptable to ask them to make me an offer?

 

[amdskip]

Start high and tell them it's negotiable. Is it salary or hourly?

 

[ddwbi0]

Im pertty sure its hourly.

 

[SuepaFly]

Ah, according to my job interview book:
_________________
Q: Tell me about your salary expectations.
A: A well-prepared candidate can effectively turn this question around. Ask first for the company's salary range, then answer in general terms based on your qualifications in relation to the job requirements.

Example: "I've become a little frustrated in the past year because the downturn in our industry has caused limited promotional opportunities. Based upon salary information published by our national association, the market price for someone with my experience level and educational background is in the broad range of thirty to forty thousand dollars per year. Although I'm not certain how your salaries compare to the national norms, my feeling is that my value would certainly be in the upper half of this national range. I hope you'll share with me some of your salary ranges relative to the national norms."
_________________

- Peter Veruki (The 250 Job Interview Questions you'll most likely be asked.....and the answers that will get you hired!) 1999.

 

[sciencetoy]

Go to the phone right now and call the office of anybody you do business with (insurance agent, auto mechanic, gym, store etc) and ask for the bookkeeper and ask them what the going salary range is. It may take a bunch of calls to find someone who'll talk to you, but it's the best way to find out the local going rate.

Or look in the phone book for a local temp accounting agency and call and ask what they charge for an hourly person.

Good luck.

 

[ddwbi0]

thanks guys, ill let you know how everything went later today!

 

[fonzinator]

Without the job description and your location, it would be hard for any of us to come up with a number. Plus, you have no experience in this area nor a college degree. But, it's all good. I agree with sciencetoy...get on the phone, call people and politely ask. With an entry level position such as this, I have a feeling that they have a narrow pay range in mind for this job. If you ask on the low end, they'll give ya the low end. If you ask high, they may give you the high end. Don't be surprised if the pay discussion is very short and goes something like this:
Them: "What are your salary expectations for this position?"
You: "I've done some research and have found that $14/hour is in the range for this type of position with my skills and experience."
Them: "This position is a pay grade "xx-y" and starts at $xx/hour. Is that acceptable?"

At this point there could be some conflict. If they are close to your expectation, you may just go ahead and accept. Be sure and communicate what the pay increases will look like, ect. I once had a company really try to screw me over with low pay because they were "giving me experience." They were offering me peanuts to do a job that deserved about twice what they were offering. As an inexperienced job hunter, I accepted their inital low-ball offer because I didn't know how to say negotiate. I later called them back and said I had thought about it some more and had made a mistake. I presented reason for increasing my pay. They squaked up a tiny bit, but wouldn't go any higher. I finally had to tell them, "Look...I could go flip burgers at McDonald's and make more than you're offering me. You are not being realistic. Have a nice day."

 

[ddwbi0]

I don't even know the job description myself actually. Like i said earlier, i went in for a sales position but it looks like they want me for accounting instead.

This job is in Houston, btw. Sorry i forgot to mention that.

 

[ddwbi0]

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ADVICE! I GOT THE JOB!

it seems the work is more like....helping out the controller for the first month or so. Whew what a relief, and i thought i would NEVER be able to find a decent job. Thank you all again!

 

[fonzinator]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!