The Salary Question

Noart

I have a 2nd interview next week for an accounts assistant role.

During the first interview I was asked how much I hoped to be paid... I dodged the question "Well I am sure you will come up with a figure that is fair for the position", "What salary budget do you have for this position" but they were not being fobbed off & asked a couple more times


Now I am meeting the Financial Controller next week & was told in the first interview to expect to be asked again how much I expect to be paid & I will be expected to answer.

So here is the question:

What do I say?

Its with an industy accounts department....
The job title is accounts assistant but it would be a junior role as I have no direct accounts experience...

What do I answer so that I don't undersell myself while not coming accross as being cocky asking too much money....

Any advice greatly appreciated!

helimachoptor

Op say what you want. But always aim high. My last salary negotiation I aimed for 3k above what I wanted, they said no in the end i got a bit more than I had expected.

zuroph

add on a bit to what ur earning now and say obviously u expect a bit more than that to get u to move.

AARRRGH

It's a difficult one.

No experience, junior position... they might have 20k in mind.

What salary would you be happy with?

Keano

20-25k would be the bench mark

I started in Finance with no experience on 23k

Noart

Well I think I would accept 18 - 25k realistically with no experience & accounts experience is invaluable to me at the moment.... I reckon they have in mind probably towards the lower end of that estimate but its hard to say! I just dont want to say €20k & have them say grand when they were originally thinking €24 etc....

What would be a reasonable amount to ask for that won't seem too much but that will make them show their hand?

zuroph

say 24k

Noelie

Noart wrote: »

"What salary budget do you have for this position"

Did you actually ask that? I'd find an applicant very cheeky to ask a question like that during an interview, espically someone with little to no experience.

Like others have said, ask for a salary that you would be happy to get paid. I wouldn't worry about underselling yourself, since you have little experience ou don't really have much to sell.

AARRRGH

Noelie wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about underselling yourself, since you have little experience ou don't really have much to sell.

I agree with this.

It's more important you get the job and the experience than a few extra quid a week.

What salaries are being offered for junior accounts assistants on the jobsites?

Serafijn

25k isn't an unreasonable amount for an entry-level financial role (assuming you've some kind of qualification). So ask for that, but say something like 'but I could be flexible for the right opportunity.' If that's above what they had in mind they'll make a note that you're not too hung up about salary.

Good luck!

board om

Serafijn wrote: »

25k isn't an unreasonable amount for an entry-level financial role (assuming you've some kind of qualification). So ask for that, but say something like 'but I could be flexible for the right opportunity.' If that's above what they had in mind they'll make a note that you're not too hung up about salary.

Good luck!

spot on. you can say you were looking for €25k but obviously you would take less money for a position that would give you more experience. that way way you are giving them an idea of the ball park figure that you want, but you are also letting them know that you wont say no to the position if it pays less than that. it leaves the ball in their court for picking an exact figure then.

cronos

is it just me who hates that companies dont just say how much they want to pay on the job posting

Khannie

cronos wrote: »

is it just me who hates that companies dont just say how much they want to pay on the job posting

Ah, there are advantages and disadvantages to it. Sometimes it allows you to aim high and get it. Once both parties are happy, I think that's the important thing.

edit: I have to say though, a few years ago I aimed mid-range having gotten past all the technical interviews and was basically frog marched out of the place. The HR lady just didn't have a clue what the market was like. She told me I should stay in my current job. Hahaha.

Eoin

Have you gotten any details about other benefits (pension, healthcare etc)? These could well be worth taking a bit less take home pay for.