So I had a job interview that went very well, however.

[88keys]

I haven't looked at your resume, but you've gotta be fucking kidding. You don't think the use of "non-words" might be suspect? SMH.

Did they ever call you back?

I honestly didn't know that was a non-word and in all likelihood they didn't either let alone take notice....

 

[88keys]

I just got back from a follow up interview of sorts. Wasn't really much of an interview, as much of a competency test. It was a different person this time, and he had to do some calculations on a couple of prints and was asked what each symbol meant which wasn't too difficult. He also asked me to read the measurements off of vernier protractors then calculate the measurements (which are in minutes) to two decimal places.
Honestly I was expecting more questions about my familiarity with ISO/TS standards, but this seemed to focus on my hands on experience of which I was able to prove today. I could see this aspect being pretty important as those gages are VERY expensive and knowing what you're doing with them is very important. A good set of vernier protractors costs about $600 alone.

 

[Svnla]

I've always thought a range was dumb too. If you're going to buy a used car, and the guy says "yeah I was thinking of selling this car for $5000-$7000", are you going to offer him $7000? No, you'll offer him $5000 (or less).

From my research, as a candidate, you "should' try your best to defer the salary question until you have a firm offer in hands or in final stage but some managers would demand that you should give them a number so a range (from the lowest number that is acceptable to you to a higher number) would be better. I would not give the current salary figure as OP did if I was him.

 

[dullard]

From my research, as a candidate, you "should' try your best to defer the salary question until you have a firm offer in hands or in final stage but some managers would demand that you should give them a number so a range (from the lowest number that is acceptable to you to a higher number) would be better. I would not give the current salary figure as OP did if I was him.

It honestly doesn't matter much. Numbers given on a resume or during an interview are not binding in any way. They are just there to stop wasting people's times if expectations are wildly different between the company and the potential employee. If you are really worried about it, just say the salary must make the job switch worth it to you (meaning you won't take what you are earning now).

The only time that the numbers actually matter is when the job is offered to you. Then the prospective employee has their best upper hand. The company just did an extensive job search, maybe taking months, often costing thousands of dollars, desperately needs the job done, and really likes you. Any number given up to that point can be tossed out. Let them offer you a job with a specific salary offer and you negotiate from there with a position of power. You could have said $50k in the interview and counter offer with $80k once they offer the job, because the $50k is non-binding (the person offering the job often is different than the person that you said $50k to anyways and doesn't even know what you said).

Obviously you can't counter offer with something astronomical and expect to get the job. But you can certainly negotiate.

 

[Svnla]

It honestly doesn't matter much. Numbers given on a resume or during an interview are not binding in any way. They are just there to stop wasting people's times if expectations are wildly different between the company and the potential employee. If you are really worried about it, just say the salary must make the job switch worth it to you (meaning you won't take what you are earning now).

The only time that the numbers actually matter is when the job is offered to you. Then the prospective employee has their best upper hand. The company just did an extensive job search, maybe taking months, often costing thousands of dollars, desperately needs the job done, and really likes you. Any number given up to that point can be tossed out. Let them offer you a job with a specific salary offer and you negotiate from there with a position of power. You could have said $50k in the interview and counter offer with $80k once they offer the job, because the $50k is non-binding (the person offering the job often is different than the person that you said $50k to anyways and doesn't even know what you said).

Obviously you can't counter offer with something astronomical and expect to get the job. But you can certainly negotiate.

I agree with most of your post. Here is one of the many posts that I read regarding the salary question.

Let’s start with what you shouldn’t do, which is get flustered and pick a number off the top of your head, or just name your current salary. That locks you into a salary that may not be the one you want. Instead, you can try to dodge the question by asking what the employer’s salary range is or saying you want something that’s commensurate with your experience. But many interviewers will want a concrete number. Before the interview, do some research and come up with a range you’re comfortable with. “[C]hoose your range carefully, realizing that the employer may only focus on the lower end of it,” HR expert Alison Green wrote in U.S. News & World Report.

As I said, the rule is not set in stone so the candidate should be flexible but one thing is clear, never ever give a single value for salary requirement. Ever. That's my take.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Jesus, five interviews? Something seriously wrong there, starting with the guy who probably had no business interviewing you, but left you thinking you got the job. Boy, are they going to be pissed when you take another job in two months.

And I mean pissed pissed.

 

[OverVolt]

I'd much rather have a who you know job than a job with strangers.

Just take it. I'm sure lots of unqualified people would kill to put that stuff on a resume and get the job for real.

Think about the opportunity just sitting there waiting to be seized, if you're game. I guess thats the primary question. Seems you'd rather just be content with a $50k job and thats that. I can totally understand, but I would say go for it.

Often times your instincts and gut know before your brain does. And other times your instincts are stupid and sabotage you. So do some soul searching on that. But I think, given that you know these people, you are in good shape to accomplish what you need to do. Don't be intimidated by formal education believe me nobody learned jack shit in formal education everyone learns on the job. Its no different than college anxiety in that sense, thinking you're taking a class thats too hard.

It all depends on you! Get'r done!

 

[OverVolt]

Although after 5 interviews they must be considering other options.

By about the 4th interview I think it would warrant a "Hey whats up guys, yeah, I'm in my jeans" approach.