Comments on: The answer to the toughest interview question http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:14:08 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Juan http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/comment-page-3/#comment-214391 Juan Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:53:06 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/#comment-214391 Well, I'm a Latin American living in Canada, I was shocked in my first interview in Toronto when one of the first questions being asked by the interviewer (by phone) was "what are your salary expectations", when clearly I didn't have a clue. In my experience in Latin America salary negotiation comes later in the process, not in the first interview. In another interview when the same question was asked, I answeared a range, and the recruiter told me that I should value my experience and post-graduate education, and lectured me that I should ask for much more, which left me a feeling as if I was an insect. Saying a lower salary expectation that the company's range will discualify for the job, as being perceived as a second rate candidate. With that experience, I did some research as to find how much I am valued (payscale), and knowking my value it would then be my decision if I go for less or not. Well, I'm a Latin American living in Canada, I was shocked in my first interview in Toronto when one of the first questions being asked by the interviewer (by phone) was "what are your salary expectations", when clearly I didn't have a clue. In my experience in Latin America salary negotiation comes later in the process, not in the first interview. In another interview when the same question was asked, I answeared a range, and the recruiter told me that I should value my experience and post-graduate education, and lectured me that I should ask for much more, which left me a feeling as if I was an insect. Saying a lower salary expectation that the company's range will discualify for the job, as being perceived as a second rate candidate. With that experience, I did some research as to find how much I am valued (payscale), and knowking my value it would then be my decision if I go for less or not.

]]> By: Money talks « Musings of an Abstract Aucklander http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/comment-page-3/#comment-214125 Money talks « Musings of an Abstract Aucklander Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:18:30 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/#comment-214125 [...] that you should never disclose how much you currently get paid to a potential new employer. Whoever names their number first in an interview loses the upper hand. And it also shows your lack of experience at negotiation. (I [...] [...] that you should never disclose how much you currently get paid to a potential new employer. Whoever names their number first in an interview loses the upper hand. And it also shows your lack of experience at negotiation. (I [...]

]]> By: orion http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/comment-page-3/#comment-213384 orion Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:10:29 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/#comment-213384 Go to Glassdoor.com, find your current position, and give them a range between mid and top of that level. Higher in range, of course, if the new job will be paying higher than the old. As for what range you will end up in with the new job, ignore that for now. After a year or two you can start pushing for higher figures. Go to Glassdoor.com, find your current position, and give them a range between mid and top of that level. Higher in range, of course, if the new job will be paying higher than the old. As for what range you will end up in with the new job, ignore that for now. After a year or two you can start pushing for higher figures.

]]> By: Doug http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/comment-page-3/#comment-210966 Doug Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:58:53 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/#comment-210966 Regarding the "Previous Salary" question... I'm thinking of being strait forward and simply stating that I'm not willing to disclose that information. Anything wrong with that? Regarding the "Previous Salary" question… I'm thinking of being strait forward and simply stating that I'm not willing to disclose that information. Anything wrong with that?

]]> By: Investments http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/comment-page-3/#comment-206722 Investments Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:50:31 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/#comment-206722 These are some great tips. It is hard not to fall in the "trap" and tell the person about to hire you what you expect. The best approach would be to let them talk first about what they are prepared to pay. Also, it is not hard to know about what the average company pays for a specific position. And yes if you cant agree on a salary there might be other things you can negotiate. These are some great tips. It is hard not to fall in the "trap" and tell the person about to hire you what you expect. The best approach would be to let them talk first about what they are prepared to pay. Also, it is not hard to know about what the average company pays for a specific position. And yes if you cant agree on a salary there might be other things you can negotiate.

]]> By: Paul Hart http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/comment-page-3/#comment-195786 Paul Hart Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:11:04 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/#comment-195786 Good advice but simplistic. As others above note, many if not most Web application forms demand a salary for your previous jobs. Many also require a desired salary range in an application -- and they want numbers, the form kicks out "negotiable." Hopefully, a personal contact will bring an interview instead of the Web and then this approach can pay off. Good advice but simplistic. As others above note, many if not most Web application forms demand a salary for your previous jobs. Many also require a desired salary range in an application — and they want numbers, the form kicks out "negotiable."

Hopefully, a personal contact will bring an interview instead of the Web and then this approach can pay off.

]]> By: Russ Kovar http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/comment-page-3/#comment-194536 Russ Kovar Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:27:37 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/#comment-194536 Excellent advise - I am going to pass it along to my network and especially a group called Job Angels on Linkedin. Russ Kovar Excellent advise – I am going to pass it along to my network and especially a group called Job Angels on Linkedin.

Russ Kovar

]]> By: Maryellen http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/comment-page-3/#comment-189859 Maryellen Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:35:22 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/#comment-189859 As a recruiter, I think you should now be open. The point of not disclosing your salary is to get the company's information. You've not done that. The ball is in your court, so move the conversation forward on your terms. As a recruiter, I think you should now be open. The point of not disclosing your salary is to get the company's information. You've not done that. The ball is in your court, so move the conversation forward on your terms.

]]> By: Kelly http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/comment-page-3/#comment-189853 Kelly Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:19:50 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/#comment-189853 I just stumbled across this posting, and thank goodness. I've been sitting here, heart pounding, waiting for a recruiter's response to The Salary Question. I blended a couple of the responses: From what I've heard about xxxx -- and my interest in the job -- I can assure you that it will not be a waste of my time. I'd love to discuss the position responsibilities and work environment in more detail first. I'm confident that whatever salary you're paying is fair and consistent with the rest of the market. It worked. My interview is scheduled and I dodged another salary question. I am in debt. I always bomb in this area. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I just stumbled across this posting, and thank goodness. I've been sitting here, heart pounding, waiting for a recruiter's response to The Salary Question.

I blended a couple of the responses:

From what I've heard about xxxx — and my interest in the job — I can assure you that it will not be a waste of my time. I'd love to discuss the position responsibilities and work environment in more detail first. I'm confident that whatever salary you're paying is fair and consistent with the rest of the market.

It worked. My interview is scheduled and I dodged another salary question. I am in debt. I always bomb in this area.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

]]> By: Neo http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/comment-page-3/#comment-189545 Neo Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:26:44 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/02/19/the-answer-to-the-toughest-interview-question/#comment-189545 I was asked by a professional recruiter about my salary expectation I replied "I would expect a salary that is in line with the level and responsibilities of the job, my experience, and the positive and significant contributions I can offer your client." The next day I received an email from her stating the possible salary range of the position I applied for. She asked me "What is your current salary please?" Will it be right to answer her giving the exact figure I am presently receiving or should I not answer her question. I was asked by a professional recruiter about my salary expectation I replied "I would expect a salary that is in line with the level and responsibilities of the job, my experience, and the positive and significant contributions I can offer your client." The next day I received an email from her stating the possible salary range of the position I applied for. She asked me "What is your current salary please?" Will it be right to answer her giving the exact figure I am presently receiving or should I not answer her question.

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