I have an interview for a upper level management position, should I ask about benefits in first meeting?

Question

I know this is important to know, but I feel that for an initial interview my questions should be more about the company and what / how they do things. I feel that talking about benefits or vacation, etc, should be later if there is a second interview or an offer letter. I am just concerned if I don't ask about it when they ask, "Do you have any other questions?" that they are going to think poorly about it.

Answer 1

You shouldn't ask about benefits in the first meeting, although you should try and ask other things to show your wanting the job. Such as whats the hourly rate? is there a chance to do overtime? etc x

Answer 2

NEVER EVER ask about benefits or salary in an interview.

If you are going for  a senior level position you should know this

Answer 3

I would not ask about benefits until you get the offer. Once they offer you the job you can inquire about benefits. Most companies have this information on their web site.

Answer 4

If you do decide to ask during the first interview you may want to ask around the end of the interview. With the labor market being very tight right now, you do not have as much of an advantage as when unemployment are lower.  

Answer 5

Ask why are they looking to hire for that position?

Expanding? Position vacated by someone moving up? Vacated by someone going to work someplace else? Ask why they left.

What do they really want doing? HR is very good at dressing up "responsibilities" and bombarding you with jargon which doesn't really communicate why the immediate future boss wants to hire somebody!

Dissect the job specs! Job specs are often ambiguous, you need to know whether this is the job for you!

Ask what is the position's role in achieving  the company's short term and long term goals.

This will give you an idea of what pressures your personal/family life will be facing when you take on the job. Is it worth it??

Answer 6

Keep any questions you have about the company itself.  Do not bring up salary or benefits unless they ask first or until you are offered the job (you can always negotiate or turn down the offer).

Do your homework.  Know what the company does and read any info you can get.  Good questions to ask include plans about possible expansions and how they would use your skills,  say something like, "If I were to get this job, are there areas where I could expand my responsibilities to help the company" - make it seem like you are looking to be an asset and not just pull down a salary with good benefits.

Answer 7

Don't ask about benefits in the first meeting.  Especially for an upper-level management job!

Go with your gut -- your questions in the first interview should be about the company.  Ask things like, "what is the forecasted growth for the company over the next 5 years?"  or "which companies are your chief competition, and what are you doing to stay on top today?"  or "what trends are you seeing in the industry over the next few years?"

They'll think poorly about you if you start asking, "how many weeks of vacation would I get?" in your first meeting.