Do you ask what the starting pay is during your interview?

[Tarik One]

I used to ask a long time ago and I don't anymore and it's worked out for the most part so far. I've always felt that it was a potential turn-off for managers/interviewers if the question was brought up without them mentioning it first. As if they perceive you as more interested in the money than the position itself.

I just interviewed for another gig today because I am underpaid and overworked. We were temps for 13 MONTHS BEFORE BEING CONVERTED TO PERMANENT EMPLOYEES with only a $1 increase, along with increased pressure to perform. Anyway, the recruiter told me that the pay was "competitive" during the initial interview over the phone earlier in the week, so I took it for what it's worth. During second interview onsite today, I never brought it up. Now I am consumed with anxiety and won't get a reply from them for at least a week or longer.

Do you ask or not?

[DeuceWallaces]

That is not an appropriate question for your interview. That is for post interview/offer negotiations.

[ballup]

Never ask. You will find out anyways. The important thing is to spark their interest in an interview.

[Akrazotile]

I used to ask a long time ago and I don't anymore and it's worked out for the most part so far. I've always felt that it was a potential turn-off for managers/interviewers if the question was brought up without them mentioning it first. As if they perceive you as more interested in the money than the position itself.

I just interviewed for another gig today because I am underpaid and overworked. We were temps for 13 MONTHS BEFORE BEING CONVERTED TO PERMANENT EMPLOYEES with only a $1 increase, along with increased pressure to perform. Anyway, the recruiter told me that the pay was "competitive" during the initial interview over the phone earlier in the week, so I took it for what it's worth. During second interview onsite today, I never brought it up. Now I am consumed with anxiety and won't get a reply from them for at least a week or longer.

Do you ask or not?

Polite but firm my dude. And use whatever leverage you have (namely, how badly you need the job. If you can walk from it, bargain aggressively).

Just tell them you have some salary concerns (once you've been offered the position), and then let them know that you feel the experienced you gained as a temp, combined with the drive you have to continue improving, has made you a very valuable asset. Let them know that as you're applying for jobs right now, you have a target pay of x. And make x higher than you're expecting. See what they say. They're not going to tell you "Oh, you'd rather be making more money than we're offeirng? What a weird and unusual quality, we're rescinding our offer."

Basically lay it out for them and let them subtly know that you have other options and can go elsewhere. And then you'll find out how valuable you are to them. Once you find that out, take it or leave it.

[DeuceWallaces]

You should definitely listen to a fired shoe salesman.

[Akrazotile]

You should definitely listen to a fired shoe salesman.


Still mad I wouldn't let you return the stilettos?


I told ya bro, once you wear 'em there are no refunds.

[Smook A.]

No. Don't ask that during the interview. The person interviewing you won't like it. I did it once and the guy who interviewed me gave me a look and didn't say a word for 5-10 seconds. I knew that I made a mistake asking that

[Rasheed1]

No

[Rasheed1]

Another point

[nathanjizzle]

wait untill they bring up salary. Dont take there first offer, shake your head with disgust. then pull out a piece of paper from your shirt pocket and write down a number that is 10 percent less than what they offered, slide it to the person and tell him "this is the salary that I want and i wont accept any more than that".

[MadeFromDust]

We work to get paid not because we like a position or like a company lmao. Hey Yo! What's the starting pay? If not to yur liking then move on to the next one, preventing a waste of massive time and energy for both parties.

[ace23]

Do you really not know the answer to this question?

[Tarik One]

Do you really not know the answer to this question?
Of course I know the answer. The point of the thread was to get other opinions of perhaps their own experiences, and to express my angst of the situation.

[Akrazotile]

Of course I know the answer. The point of the thread was to get other opinions of perhaps their own experiences, and to express my angst of the situation.

Don't feel angst dude. It's not useful in any way. Just do what you gotta do and let the chips fall where they may.


But don't take my word for it. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru7ytSQdH_k)

[ballup]

We work to get paid not because we like a position or like a company lmao. Hey Yo! What's the starting pay? If not to yur liking then move on to the next one, preventing a waste of massive time and energy for both parties.
You are going to move on to a crap ton of more failed interviews this way.

[Tarik One]

2 positions I applied for around the time this thread was created, I didn't mention salary at all. One turned me down, and the other still has me waiting.

I applied for another position about 3 weeks ago, they called me back a week and a half later. I asked what the started pay was, and she told me on the spot. We set up an interview 2 days later.

Just got a call today with an offer, and it pays quite more than what I am earning now. It doesn't hurt to go against the grain sometimes.

[Riley Martin]

Is it normal for your potential employer to ask about your salary history at past jobs?

I don't see how that's their concern.

[niko]

Is it normal for your potential employer to ask about your salary history at past jobs?

I don't see how that's their concern.
Yes, they are trying to get a feel for what you need to be paid.

[Tarik One]

Is it normal for your potential employer to ask about your salary history at past jobs?

I don't see how that's their concern.
They do that to see if your salary demands exceed their own. If yours do, they'll most likely cross you off and move on to the next candidate.

[Meticode]

If they don't tell you by the time they offer you the position, ask them.

I'm not agreeing to a position where I don't know the pay personally, but I'm not asking until the offer the position.

I had a job interview once where I didn't ask them and it wasn't brought up and they said basically, "We're going to offer you the position, are you willing to accept?"

And I replied, "Just one question, what is the starting wage?"

They told me and I declined the position. It was way lower than what I needed.

[Riley Martin]

Yes, they are trying to get a feel for what you need to be paid.

They do that to see if your salary demands exceed their own. If yours do, they'll most likely cross you off and move on to the next candidate.
But what if you were underpaid at your last job? Should I fudge it and inflate the salary? just not above the reasonable range for the position I'm applying to.

I get that they want to make sure your salary expectations aren't too high, but conversely a lower salary history shouldn't allow your next employer to continue underpaying you. Right?

edit: Guess I shouldn't lie: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/01/29/how-to-respond-to-employer-requests-for-your-salary-history


The best thing you can do when an interviewer asks about your salary history is to reframe the question into what salary range you're seeking. After all, this is the more pertinent question! For instance: "I'm looking for a range of $45,000 to $55,000." In some cases, this answer will be accepted and the conversation will move on. But in others, the interviewer will insist on knowing your previous salary. If that happens, you can try responses like:

"I keep that information confidential, but the range I'm looking for now is..."

"My previous employers have always considered that information confidential, but I'm seeking…."

"That's not something I share with anyone but my accountant, but I'm seeking…"

I think I'll try that tactic in the future.

[Balla_Status]

Every time I've had a recruiter call me about a job position, they've asked for my current pay and I told them what I would like to be paid. On one instance, the guy straight up told me I'd be making $1k/day. I don't think it's inappropriate to ask recruiters but may be inappropriate to ask the employees of the company they are recruiting for. May depend on the industry as well.

[PHX_Phan]

I usually have an idea of what the pay is before I apply.

That being said, I'm not the least bit shy to request this information. I'm not there because I believe in the company's morals and want to take part in it's growth. I'm there to perform a job and earn an income.

If you sell yourself right and are worth your salt, then you'll likely get the job. Never heard of a job turning a promising prospect away because they wanted to know how much they'd be making.

[outbreak]

Depends what kind of job you are applying for. If you aren't a professional and are applying for some entry level job then maybe you shouldn't ask, if you're going for a specialist job I think it's ok. Around here though every job I have seen/been offered/applied for has had the wage listed/told to me before I go to the interview/apply. If not the exact wage it would usually say the range your salary will fall in to depending on qualifications.

[n00bie]

I usually ask if they ask me what my salary expectations are. But then again, I'm in b2b sales.. and all recruiters know $ is very important to sales people. If the average salary in the role is too low, I wouldn't even want to waste their time.

[MJ(Mean John)]

OP- it's true, you shouldn't have to ask, and you shouldn't ask the person conducting the interview.

You should ask if the pay is not told at the time of the job offer.


- question, what job? And what type of company ?

Sometimes, you can look it up and get an idea and know if you have a little wiggle room to negotiate.

[DwnShft2Xcelr8]

I tend to look up the average wages of jobs I'm interested in online.

[ALBballer]

Personally I think it is a dumb social etiquette of not asking how much they are willing to pay. But that is the rule of the game and I generally wouldn't ask.

But if it involves a recruiter, I will be straight up ask about the pay because at this stage of my career I don't want to waste my time with low offers. With employers, I would be more hesitant.

[Tarik One]

Personally I think it is a dumb social etiquette of not asking how much they are willing to pay. But that is the rule of the game and I generally wouldn't ask.

But if it involves a recruiter, I will be straight up ask about the pay because at this stage of my career I don't want to waste my time with low offers. With employers, I would be more hesitant.
Yeah, and the fact that I am already employed made me more daring to ask upfront versus being in a position where I didn't have a job. I had virtually nothing to lose by bringing it up.

[CeltsGarlic]

that is the first and the last question bro. interview abc

[oarabbus]

Polite but firm my dude. And use whatever leverage you have (namely, how badly you need the job. If you can walk from it, bargain aggressively).

Just tell them you have some salary concerns (once you've been offered the position), and then let them know that you feel the experienced you gained as a temp, combined with the drive you have to continue improving, has made you a very valuable asset. Let them know that as you're applying for jobs right now, you have a target pay of x. And make x higher than you're expecting. See what they say. They're not going to tell you "Oh, you'd rather be making more money than we're offeirng? What a weird and unusual quality, we're rescinding our offer."

Basically lay it out for them and let them subtly know that you have other options and can go elsewhere. And then you'll find out how valuable you are to them. Once you find that out, take it or leave it.


This is some of the worst advice I've ever seen posted on any forum, anywhere on the internet.

[Jailblazers7]

Only if asked. A lot of interviews now will ask for you salary range (in my experience). That way they won't be wasting anyone's time.

[nightprowler10]

That is not an appropriate question for your interview. That is for post interview/offer negotiations.
Basically this. Also, a neat trick is if they have two different positions open and they ask which one would you be more interested in, just say whichever is more challenging. That's code for whichever pays more.