"salary commensurate with experience"...let's not waste anyone's time

[wheresmybacon]

When companies include things like "salary commensurate with experience" in a job listing, I wonder if they're surprised when I follow up with something like this exchange from this morning. This is the word for word exchange I had with a rep from a company looking for a sysadmin:

Wheresmybacon,

I would like to schedule a 15-20 minute phone interview Friday, May 13th, between you and the CIO of Some Company, Inc to discuss the above referenced position. Please contact me at the number below to discuss a time.

Thank you,

Somelady

============= My Reply below =============

Hi Somelady. In the interest of not wasting your or my time, I just want to be clear that this is a full time and not a contract position. Is that accurate?

Also, based on my experience and what I'm currently making, I'm looking for positions offering compensation in the range of about $X/hour or approximately $X/year. If that's "in the ballpark" for you all with regard to this position, I'll be happy to call you on my next break.

If not, then I wish you luck in your search for the right candidate.

Regards,
Wheresmybacon

I'm not trying to come off like a dick, but I'm not going to go through the interview process and come back with an offer of half of what I'm currently making. I haven't heard back from this person yet.

I really like my current position, but it's contract and I really want something permanent with benefits. Anyone have any thoughts on my approach? Dick move? Arrogant? Otherwise?

 

[SunnyD]

Yes, yes and Yes.

 

[BeauJangles]

If you really want something permanent, I would have made the phone call and seen if they were a match for you (and vice-versa) before salaries and stuff. It isn't explicitly a dick move, but I don't think it was overly friendly on your part.

 

[spidey07]

Never, never, never ever give a number first. That job could have paid twice what you're making or want but you just told them how low you would work for.

 

[highland145]

THB, why wouldn't the post some $$. Shows they're trying to low ball, imo. don't blame them but...

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Sound like an asshole. The point is good, but your delivery is shit. I wouldn't expect to hear back...

I hate the whole "DOE" stuff. Local place was saying stuff like that, and budgeted like 50k for a position that experience and qualification wise was 85k+ Wasted a lot of people's time I'm sure.

 

[Farmer]

Never, never, never ever give a number first. That job could have paid twice what you're making or want but you just told them how low you would work for.

This.

I always believe the first interview should occur without discussion of salary.

 

[wheresmybacon]

Yes, yes and Yes.

If that's dick then what would you suggest?

 

[bignateyk]

I ask up front what the range is. I already have a great job, but I always keep my options open by applying and inquiring about openings I think I might be interested in.

No need to waste anyones time. I'm not desperate for a job. If they really want a good candidate they would answer questions like that. Otherwise than can hire the first person desperate enough to put up with all their BS and I'll keep enjoying my current job.

 

[wheresmybacon]

THB, why wouldn't the post some $$. Shows they're trying to low ball, imo. don't blame them but...

I posted numbers because where I live now it seems many companies pay very, very low relative to market value.

 

[shortylickens]

Yeah I hate having my time wasted if its clear I either cant do the job, or wouldnt want the job.

To be fair though, companies have the same attitude. They dont want their time wasted either. And since they are the company, they choose how to do business. Though I often wonder how many good people they turn off with this kind of bullshit.

 

[wheresmybacon]

I ask up front what the range is. I already have a great job, but I always keep my options open by applying and inquiring about openings I think I might be interested in.

No need to waste anyones time. I'm not desperate for a job. If they really want a good candidate they would answer questions like that. Otherwise than can hire the first person desperate enough to put up with all their BS and I'll keep enjoying my current job.

Exactly. I've been part of interview panels and it's not like the people on the other side of the desk are having a ball and enjoy the process. Hey let's waste a few hours when we could be working to talk to a guy who's making double what we'll offer.

 

[D1gger]

You never know if that position you are being called about is the only position available with the company, or if you can impress them so much that you convince them to pay beyond their original intent.

In my mind, it never pays to turn off a potential lead without at least talking to them.

What does it cost you but a few minutes of your time?

 

[Texashiker]

Anyone have any thoughts on my approach? Dick move? Arrogant? Otherwise?

Straight forward and honest, just the way I like it.

If your a professional with years of experience, there is no use in wasting anyones time. If the company does not want to pay what you want, then your just wasting time with interviews and phone calls.

If your a noob with little training, then discussing wages beforehand would be out of line.

 

[wheresmybacon]

Never, never, never ever give a number first. That job could have paid twice what you're making or want but you just told them how low you would work for.

The position description was admittedly a bit below, skill-wise, what I've been doing for the last several years.

If I had any inclination that it was in line with my current skill-set I wouldn't have talked numbers.

 

[Farmer]

There's nothing wrong about asking about the expected salary.

That's not the same as just saying up front your salary expectations. It limits your options when negotiating.

 

[Texashiker]

Never, never, never ever give a number first. That job could have paid twice what you're making or want but you just told them how low you would work for.

I agree with not giving a number first, but if someone has spent 10 years in a certain field, they should know what the average wage is.

People in the field usually exchange information about company A, B and C, their wages and benefits.

When I apply at a job, 90% of the time I have already talked to people that work there and know what to expect.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Exactly. I've been part of interview panels and it's not like the people on the other side of the desk are having a ball and enjoy the process. Hey let's waste a few hours when we could be working to talk to a guy who's making double what we'll offer.

Or giving your salary demands up front not knowing that the budget for the position is higher and you getting less than what you could have.

IMO, when you start talking to a company about a position, its about the opportunity and company first.

 

[Corporate Thug]

dude, if an applicant had a name like Wheresmybacon, I would give him the job at whatever pay me was asking...

 

[Capt Caveman]

I agree with not giving a number first, but if someone has spent 10 years in a certain field, they should know what the average wage is.

People in the field usually exchange information about company A, B and C, their wages and benefits.

If they're staying in the same industry and general location, maybe.

 

[spidey07]

I agree with not giving a number first, but if someone has spent 10 years in a certain field, they should know what the average wage is.

People in the field usually exchange information about company A, B and C, their wages and benefits.

When I apply at a job, 90% of the time I have already talked to people that work there and know what to expect.

A lot of people don't know what they're worth and are underpaid, I would say most actually. You can have two people sitting right next to each other doing the same job and one makes 30K more than the other because they know what they're worth.

Even if the position budget is already set, if you really sell yourself well and impress them they WILL find a way to pay you what you're worth even if they have to create a special position for you.

 

[lxskllr]

*I* would respect you, and appreciate your "to the point" style, but I don't know that I'm in the majority. People for some inexplicable reason, seem to like bullshit.

 

[wheresmybacon]

Just got a reply:

Wheresmybacon,

Thank you, we will forgo the interview process with you.

Somelady

 

[highland145]

I posted numbers because where I live now it seems many companies pay very, very low relative to market value.

Ignore my typo. Meant why wouldn't they post $$ up front.

 

[Numenorean]

If that's dick then what would you suggest?

Bacon.