When do you ask the million dollar question, "What is the salary for the role you are hiring for?"

2016-04-28T12:47:15-04:00

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2016 12:54 PM

2016-04-28T12:54:22-04:00

After the interviewer has finished his/her questions and asks if you have any...but it wouldn't be the question I lead with. That being said, asking about salary lets him/her know that you are focused and that you value your personal worth.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2016 12:57 PM

2016-04-28T12:57:13-04:00

When given the opportunity from the employer, I've learned that you should ask once you get an offer. Then you can negotiate from there.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Apr 28 at 2016 1:07 PM

2016-04-28T13:07:28-04:00

I don't ask. I research the role on sites such as Indeed or Glass door for a rough estimate of what I should be receiving. When I am asked the magic question, my answer is usually an average based on my research, or something along the lines of "I like to be compensated based on my skills, experience, and the position".

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Apr 28 at 2016 1:28 PM

2016-04-28T13:28:38-04:00

First, if you are interviewing with a large company, and some small companies, they have a compensation manual that provides the guidelines based on experience and education. Depending on those and your success in getting an offer will place you in a salary range, again based on HR direction. The hiring manager normally has the discretion to work within that band. Anyone that interviewed with me that asked that question right out of the chute had a much more difficult time climbing the hill and being hired. JMHO, and my experience while hiring a large number of sales and training professionals in the private industry.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2016 1:50 PM

2016-04-28T13:50:47-04:00

I am currently in the process of separation from the Army and keep getting calls from busi,eases that found some version of my resume online. I personally always ask during the first phone what the projected salary is. Tactfully of course.

Everyone knows that the question will come up but tend to dance around it for a while. By asking it directly you can either accept it and move forward, possibly asking for a sign on bonus or a few percent increase. If the offer is not enough you can explain that you are looking for at least $XXXXX. Just give reason! If you simply say I want more money do not expect much from the other party.

Response by SGT Teresa Puszert made Apr 28 at 2016 2:21 PM

2016-04-28T14:21:53-04:00

As an employer and someone who interviews potential candidates on a daily basis, I have been navigating the salary question for many years. In today's climate, most interview processes are at least 2 (and sometimes 3) parts. The first part is usually a phone screen/interview and the second (and sometimes third) part is usually a skype or in-person interview. If the hiring manager brings it up first, it's okay to discuss your salary requirements at any point. However, if it hasn't already come up, the job seeker should wait until after the initial interview/conversation so that you fully understand the responsibilities and other details of the position before you put your price sticker on it. If you are invited back to continue on to the second interview, you should be prepared to discuss salary at this point (before you commit to the second interview).

My advice would be to open the salary conversation with a question rather than a demand. Salary negotiation should be just that - a negotiation and not a demand. Something like "Are you the right person and is this a good time to discuss salary?" If you are asked about your salary at a previous job, try to gently deflect by saying something like "My last position was a different role with different responsibilities and different company culture. What I am looking for is a company that can compensate me fairly for my skills, knowledge and experience." Of the course the next question will be something like "OK, how much are you expecting to make in this role?" Do your research and know what the area market rate is for that skill set/position and be prepared to confidently speak about your expectations and goals.

Response by 1SG Nick Baker made Apr 28 at 2016 8:25 PM

2016-04-28T20:25:46-04:00

Know what the market is paying for the position in that area. Easy to research, Indeed.com give ranges pane. Avoid telling them what you make or what you want. If they bring it up, ask them the range. they make an offer. If they press the press the point in the first interview rethink working for them. Talk about salary when an offer is made. Connect with people in like companies and learn.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Apr 29 at 2016 9:34 AM

2016-04-29T09:34:26-04:00

You should kind of know the salary range that you are looking at just by the job description and what the industry and regional average is for that job. It is easy to find out this sort of information prior to the first interview and I would really suggest you do, so you don't lowball yourself. If you have salary requirements that are really firm, then put them out there so you're not wasting your time or the recruiters if there is no way. Recruiters will try to negotiate with you if they are interested. But something I found out was that chances are, you are not going to get what you think you deserve on the first job out. It takes a little while before you can start demanding what you think you are worth. If you are fresh out of the military, that means you have little or no experience in the civilian job market, and recruiters are going to know that.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 29 at 2016 11:14 AM

2016-04-29T11:14:26-04:00

In the company I worked for, our manager with hiring authority negotiated salary. Each applicant for a "professional" position, as opposed to an administrative position, went through an HR screening interview and interviews with two or three subject matter experts. The candidate who the experts recommended was invited for a "hiring interview" with the real decision maker. Salary was part of the offer that person was authorized to make. If a candidate asked me about salary, I explained the process and told them the salary and some benefits would be negotiated at the hiring interview if they made it that far. If they pressed me, I would ask them the salary they were looking for. If their expected salary was out of the range I knew the company paid for the job, then I would tell them. I loved it when the candidate said, "I expect to be paid what I'm worth" or and answer to that effect. I was always able to reply, "We always offer successful applicants a starting salary that reflects their worth as we see it." In other words, we just had a 1 minute conversation about nothing.

Response by CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR made Apr 29 at 2016 9:39 PM

2016-04-29T21:39:42-04:00

Here are the responses for this question. I am glad to see that:
69% people dont ask, they let the company bring the question up first
Here are the remaining results
13% Ask this question almost immediately- may miss some opportunity here
6% ask during the telephone interview

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2016 1:46 PM

2016-06-11T13:46:20-04:00

I believe the employee must do research in their career field.

If you are applying for a Director position in a major company research glassdoor or another website to have a general idea of compensation. Often the recruiter will address during first conversation on phone. They don't want to waste your or their time.

If this is an entry position then you have to be a bit more reserved, but should have a general idea of compensation. Even in an entry level position their should be a title and you can do some research and have an idea of compensation.

Regardless, I find interviews and the process itself extremely beneficial for career progression. The more experience the better you will be when that ideal position comes calling.