I've been looking around and I can't find a great answer to the salary question for interviews. I've never been able to think of a good answer when prospective employers have asked me about my salary expectations for a position, and I was wondering how much that came up in the context of a post-grad interview.
Is it a common question? Does it even come up, or do they just tell you what they pay if/when they decide to give you an offer?
What's the process usually? And how do you respond?
The salary question Forum
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shock259
- Posts: 1932
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:30 am
Re: The salary question
I think the conventional wisdom to interview/salary negotiation apply. Try to find as much as you can about what others are making in the area/type of firm. Try to sidestep the question if you can: ask them how much they pay other folks similar to you, or ask how much they have allocated to this position. If you get pinned down and must give a number, use a broad range. And shoot high.
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Anonymous User
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Re: The salary question
This gets asked all the time, and even though I've given it a lot of thought lately I don't know the "best" way to handle.
A worse variation is "how much are you getting paid now?" The best answer I can think of is to simply be bold and authoritative and don't answer the first time they ask. Be polite, respectful, but firm. Some variation of "you know, I respectfully think it is a little early in the process to discuss salary. Why don't we talk a little more about this job and then we can figure out an appropriate salary?"
When there is no great answer, I think the best you can do is negotiate hard early and refuse to show your hand. You're a lawyer - you're expected to negotiate. It's uncomfortable to refuse to answer a direct question from a stranger with something you want (a job), but you could also answer something like "I think it is a little early to discuss salary. Why dont we talk a bit, get to know each other better, figure out if my qualifications fit the job, then we can talk money."
That's fair, and they'll probably say "ok.". If the press and won't take no, then I'd recommend giving a high-ball answer, but acknowledge you don't yet know enough about the job to know how much its worth.
A worse variation is "how much are you getting paid now?" The best answer I can think of is to simply be bold and authoritative and don't answer the first time they ask. Be polite, respectful, but firm. Some variation of "you know, I respectfully think it is a little early in the process to discuss salary. Why don't we talk a little more about this job and then we can figure out an appropriate salary?"
When there is no great answer, I think the best you can do is negotiate hard early and refuse to show your hand. You're a lawyer - you're expected to negotiate. It's uncomfortable to refuse to answer a direct question from a stranger with something you want (a job), but you could also answer something like "I think it is a little early to discuss salary. Why dont we talk a bit, get to know each other better, figure out if my qualifications fit the job, then we can talk money."
That's fair, and they'll probably say "ok.". If the press and won't take no, then I'd recommend giving a high-ball answer, but acknowledge you don't yet know enough about the job to know how much its worth.
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BCgirl
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2015 5:37 pm
Re: The salary question
I'm going in for a second interview on Monday (tomorrow), and from my (internet) research, this question will likely pop-up. Should I still go with the "It's early in the game to discuss this" answer?
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