To ask or not to ask-about salary

Question

Ive been asked to come in for a midafternoon interview at a company close to my home. This means I will have to take a full day off from work since I have a long commute.

I do not want to waste a vacation day if the job will not meet my salary requirements. Everything I read online is contradictory. One career advice article states to save your own as well as the perspective companies' time by finding out in advance what the salary range is. The other article says never ask about salary or benefits before or during a first interview.

Thoughts and opinions?

Answer 1

Ask just be polite and tell them you just want to know a general ball park area and that you realize that this is no commitment on their part.

Answer 2

Of course you have to ask about salary in a first interview. (or even before.) What are the major things that entice someone to take a job? Salary is one of them.

Hiring managers do not take offense if you talk about salary. In fact, as a former manager myself, I would be a suprised if a job candidate did not talk about it.

Answer 3

we all work for money , never feel shy to ask the salary  U want ,unless u wish to do charity.there is nothing wrong seeking the compensation ,in terms of money.

Answer 4

call and speak to the HR department and ask what the salary range is for that position

Answer 5

There is nothing wrong w/ politely asking about the compensation.  I feel like they may not want to waste time either and will ask you first.

In my experience, they always ask me what I am looking for, sometimes they ask even before the interview.

  

Answer 6

I work in recruitment, ask what the salary is before attending otherwise its a potential waste of time.

The only time you should try and avoid asking is in an actual interview.

Answer 7

never ask the new company about your pay but try to get them to admit it by asking AROUND the question like "what are some benefits can i be expecting?" dont quit your current job until you are definitely going to start at the new place. tell the new place that you can start working exactly two weeks from when they hire you so you can be polite enough to give a 2 weeks notice at your own job.

Answer 8

If your interview is being set up by an HR Recruiter, or the HR Department, then ask them what the salary range is for the position.  You cannot ask what the salary you will get is, as they haven't assessed your value to the company yet.  But, if you know the range, then you'll know exactly how valuable your skills are to the company based upon your experience.  For example... if the salary range is 75K to 125K and they offer you 80K, then you know you're considered to be inexperienced at the role but worth training their "corporate methodologies".

The person that interviews you will often not know what your salary will be.  They are hiring for a position with a salary range.  They will assess you along with a whole bunch of other candidates.  Then, they will select the person best able to do the job but also whom doesn't look over qualified (i.e. don't invest in the person that has no intention of staying).  When they make all the comparisions, then they will recommend an offer price to the HR Recruiter.  That price will be offered to you.  You can then counter if you wish.  And, the Hiring manager can consider your counter and decide if you're still worth it.

If you're working in small business retail (e.g. franchise like McDonalds), then the hiring manager is also your HR Recruiter.

Answer 9

The reason why we work is for a salary.  So that could be considered the most important part of a job, for you.  I would ask when the interviewers will ask if you have any questions for them but make it the last question you ask.

Answer 10

definitely ask!

Answer 11

Definitely do NOT ask about salary at the interview. Ask beforehand by contacting their human resources department, or save it for after the interview. Asking at your interview is a widely-accepted taboo.

Good luck!

Answer 12

The rule of thumb when it comes to salary negationsons is "The first one to mention salary loses"

If you have to ask what the salary is - you will 'lose' and be underpaid.