Job Interview Questions/Great Answers (Part 5)

How much salary do you want?

We will start with a few non-politic answers. They probably won’t help you except to suggest you not use them. But in the right circumstances and with an interviewer who appreciates a bit of chutzpah it could hit the right note.

Of course, some interviewers might welcome answers less routine than s/he normally hears. It can cast you as a candidate with an interesting personality and one who might be a worthwhile addition to the work-team.

Or maybe not.

Since these answers might present just a hint of offense, and you have not yet established rapport with the recruiter, perhaps a modified approach might be best.

So, on to less-acceptable answers to the question, “how much salary do you want”?

• How much do you have to offer me?

• How much are other people paid in similar jobs in your organization and how would I be paid relative to them?

• What is the salary range so I can determine where I fit?

• What do you think I am worth by looking at my resume?

• Before I mention my lowest acceptable pay rate, what is your best offer?

Better answers if circumstances - and your comfort level - allow

• “I’m sure your pay rates are competitive so I’ll trust you to make a fair offer.”

Job-Search Coach comment: There is nothing wrong with this approach. It is used frequently and many employers, especially in situations where there are many people in the same job, may have little flexibility. They are concerned that if you are offered more than present employees make, complaints will be made - e.g., “how come you’re paying a new guy more than me? I want a raise”.

On the other hand, asking for more at the beginning might plant the idea that you are truly a more valuable commodity. This might color interpretations during the interview, and that’s good.

Interview time is precious

Nonetheless the recruiter will probably want some sort of number or range to see if a deal is even possible. S/he doesn’t want to go through a time consuming interview unless there is a likely payoff.

Give an approximate number:

• “I feel with my experience and skills, something in excess of $2,500/mo. would be fair, depending on actual job duties.”

Give a range:

• “From what I can tell from your want-ad description (or job title), and considering my experience and skills, a range of from $35,000 to the low $40s would be in the ballpark. After we have had a chance to talk and I understand what the job needs, I can be more precise.”

Job Search Coach comment: Try not to be too exact. Perhaps say things like “$18,000 to $22,000”; or “upper $20s to low $30s”; or “$14-$16/hour; or “$150,000 to $175,000 plus bonus plan and stock options; or a minimum base of $30,000 plus draw, or $350,000 to $500k plus an ownership position, etc.”

In other words pick a range that you feel would more than cover your market worth, as near as you can figure it for the kind of work.

Important point

Your market worth is what someone will pay you; your skills, talents and experience have no inherent economic value. If someone is not willing to pay you to do something, your education, experience, talents, and wondrous personality are worth nada, zip, nothing. Your talents, etc., have no inherent economic value unless you find a buyer.

What if the recruiter doesn't ask you about salary?

The interviewer might not bring up pay at the beginning. You can raise the question early in the game if you feel at ease with your market worth and current job/financial situation AKA your negotiating position.

Your time is valuable and you don’t want to waste it if you are too far apart to hope for agreement. If you do give a number or range and the interviewer doesn’t blanch, laugh or snort a lot, stare at you blankly, have a fit of coughing, or end the interview, at least you have established a ballpark parameter if the discussion comes to an offer.

We don’t generally recommend this tactic since the job-offer number after the interview might have been higher than the one you gave. If you give them a salary amount too early they might lower what they were willing to offer.

Also if you give a lower price than they think you should be asking, they might feel you are really only worth the lower number, i.e., you're not heavy enough - and not hire you. Keep in mind you gave the lower number as your own evaluation of your worth.

Clean Deal?

There is no such thing as a clean and easy deal. You must decide, at least for the moment, what you are willing to accept to get the job.

What if they say you want too much?

If the recruiter says your salary demands are not feasible, is the interview over?

Probably, but you might try something like the following:

• “I know you think my salary request is too high but could I suggest we continue the interview for 30 minutes. After understanding the extent of my capabilities you might feel it worthwhile to expand the job duties to warrant my higher salary. My contributions would be certainly worth it to your organization. Or we might agree your available salary offer is workable.

It couldn’t hurt. What’s the worst thing that could happen? You already were told you were not going to get the job so why not try this long shot? It might resurrect the deal.

It most likely won’t work but give it a try? It’s good interview practice for the next job interview. The more times you do it the better you get.

One of the best answers (I think) on the next Hub - in this interview Q/A series.

End of this hub. See you in a day or so.

Note: We do entertain individualized job search questions, if you are of a mind to ask - no charge. We will try to answer them through this Hub mechanism, time permitting and as long as you are willing to see your situation displayed on the internet. So don’t use your real name. Others might be interested in your story; they don’t need to know who you are.

Nor do we.