"What are your wage expectations?"

darren_147

I have been out of work now for five months and have attended a couple of interviews, all of which I have been unsuccessful.
Like every interview nowadays I have been asked what my wage expectations are. The truth is I really don't know what they should be.
I have another interview soon and I am hoping someone will be able to help me.
The interview is for a master technician/head mechanic in a brand new dealership where I will be the only mechanic until business improves.
I have done this job for two years previous with another dealership which sells the same brand and am fully trained by the same brand.

P.s. I have to travel 160km round trip every day for this job.

Mrs OBumble

These days, the only answer I will give is "market rate for the job".

darren_147

Probably a stupid question, but where can I get this?

tenchi-fan

dodge the question as much as you can at the interview. Only ever discuss salary if your employer brings it up.

JustMary is suggesting you say you are happy to work for the market rate (without actually spelling out to the employer what market rate is) e.g. "i would expect to earn the going rate for a skilled worker with my qualifications. my main reason for applying for this role... (mention everything but salary!)"

If pressed, give a deliberately vague answer like "I understand a professional in this area earns in the region of 25-32k"

Never get embroiled in negotiations at the interview, particularly specifics of the salary, discussion of benefits, perks, pension funds, etc.

tenchi-fan

darren_147 wrote: »

P.s. I have to travel 160km round trip every day for this job.

:rolleyes:

So what if you live 50 miles from work?

Are you saying the employer should employ someone closer?

darren_147

The reason I mentioned the distance to the job is because I estimate that it is going to cost 80euro a week for diesel.
Consider this and the social charge and my wages will have taken a big hit before I ever see them.

bbam

Starting to take travel costs into account at this stage is pointless, it's irrelevant how far away from the employment you live and it certainly isn't a bargaining angle...
Actually if you make a big deal about how far away you are it may turn the interview against you from an attendance perspective...

pow wow

bbam wrote: »

Starting to take travel costs into account at this stage is pointless

No it isn't, it's one of the most important things the OP needs to consider because if they can't make ends meet after paying their fuel costs then there's no point in accepting the job if it gets to that stage. They didn't say they were intending to put the muscle on the employer for more cash using the fact they live very far away as an excuse - they mentioned it as a factor they have to consider when thinking about wages. It makes total sense to me to do that.

+1 on JustMary's "market rate" response - they might not try and pin you down beyond that. Whatever you say be clear that you are willing to negotiate as the role seems a great opportunity etc etc etc.

senordingdong

Remind them that you are happy to see an inordinate amount of your pay being deducted for tax.

jamesbrond

As someone who has been on both sides of the table. Most often on the interviewer side of the table nowadays, I really dont like to meet someone who has no idea what they are applying for. And that includes how much the job is offering for their skills.

You should know the salary range being offered before you go as far as interview.
If you dont know it, and they know you dont know it, they know you are desperate. Why else would you go to an interview for a job and not have any idea what you would be paid.

It just smacks of desperation or at the very least a serious lack of preparation.

And another thing. If asked about your salary expectations during the interview, you make it clear that you are looking for the top of their scale for your skills. The purpose of the interviewer asking this question? Think about it.

Interviewer : What are your salary expectations?
You : Well I was thinking between €40,000 and €45,000.
Interviewer : Okay, we'll call you if we are ion a position to make an offer.

Interviewer now knows what you are willing to take. €40,000 is then their upper limit at best. They know if they start negotiations at €35,000 the worst that can happen is that you cost them €40,000. And they might have been willing to offer you €45,000 or more before you said anything.

senordingdong

Fair point Mr Brond, but on the other side of that...

Interviewer: What are your salary expectations?
Interviewee: I want the absolute highest pay possible for someone in that position.
Interviewer thinks: ****in hell, this over qualified clown wants 40k to do this job that someone else could do for 20k. See ya!

bbam

pow wow wrote: »

No it isn't, it's one of the most important things the OP needs to consider because if they can't make ends meet after paying their fuel costs then there's no point in accepting the job if it gets to that stage. They didn't say they were intending to put the muscle on the employer for more cash using the fact they live very far away as an excuse - they mentioned it as a factor they have to consider when thinking about wages. It makes total sense to me to do that.

+1 on JustMary's "market rate" response - they might not try and pin you down beyond that. Whatever you say be clear that you are willing to negotiate as the role seems a great opportunity etc etc etc.

I take your point to a stage but... I know when I interview candidates who make a big deal about how far away they are and the cost of getting to work usually get put down the list by the panel..
Take it into account indeed but I wouldn't talk it up at an interview would be a more accurate summary of my post..

darren_147

Let me make this clear!
I have know intention of using my travel costs as a bargaining tool.
I just have to factor this in to be sure the job is worth while taking. Also the purpose of me posting here was to try and get an idea of what amount I should be asking for.
I was very under paid in my previous employment and as we all know, wages are not what they used to be!
"The very last thing I want to do is not get the job because I asked for too much"

mari2222

I suggest you say politely that you would look at any offer in its totality.

things like flexitime, holidays, hours of work etc may be part of the package.

jamesbrond

senordingdong wrote: »

Fair point Mr Brond, but on the other side of that...

Interviewer: What are your salary expectations?
Interviewee: I want the absolute highest pay possible for someone in that position.
Interviewer thinks: ****in hell, this over qualified clown wants 40k to do this job that someone else could do for 20k. See ya!

Well if you know they are only giving 20k and you already get 40k then you see the point about knowing the renumeration BEFORE even applying for the job.

tenchi-fan

This thread is going nowhere because 3 different things are being discussed.

#1 discussing wages at the interview
#2 discussing how much the op should get paid
#3 discussing whether it's worthwhile for the op to take a job when he lives 50 miles from work

#1 Try not to do it
#2 Figure out how much other people in your area get paid for similar work. Then assume they're on a premium over market rate (for years in service) and your salary will probably be a lot less.
#3 a body at rest stays at rest. You might end up taking an underpaid job just to kick-start your career again. And just to point out you thought your last job was "very under paid" yet while you were working there and 5 months later you still haven't managed to get more money?

Stheno

jamesbrond wrote: »

. If asked about your salary expectations during the interview, you make it clear that you are looking for the top of their scale for your skills. The purpose of the interviewer asking this question? Think about it.

Interviewer : What are your salary expectations?
You : Well I was thinking between €40,000 and €45,000.
Interviewer : Okay, we'll call you if we are ion a position to make an offer.

Interviewer now knows what you are willing to take. €40,000 is then their upper limit at best. They know if they start negotiations at €35,000 the worst that can happen is that you cost them €40,000. And they might have been willing to offer you €45,000 or more before you said anything.

+1 on this in my current job when I interviewed, there was a significant gap between what I wanted and what the company could offer now. There was a ten minute discussion of it at second interview stage and it was resolved by meeting somewhat halfway on basic salary with a bonus structure put in to make up the rest.

dan_d

When asked I have said "it's very difficult to know with the way the economy is at the moment, particularly in this profession (civil engineering). I'm aware that I am unlikely to get what I was being paid in my previous job (usually they'll have asked what it was beforehand), however I'm extremely willing to negotiate."

If pushed further, I say something similar to the above and add "I understand that this position seems to be offered at in or around X amount by other companies from various ads that I've seen, however as I said I'm extremely willing to negotiate"

senordingdong

jamesbrond wrote: »

Well if you know they are only giving 20k and you already get 40k then you see the point about knowing the renumeration BEFORE even applying for the job.

True, but by doing such a thing, I'd be afraid of disqualifying myself by 'expecting' too much.

jamesbrond

dan_d wrote: »

When asked I have said "it's very difficult to know with the way the economy is at the moment, particularly in this profession (civil engineering). I'm aware that I am unlikely to get what I was being paid in my previous job (usually they'll have asked what it was beforehand), however I'm extremely willing to negotiate."

If pushed further, I say something similar to the above and add "I understand that this position seems to be offered at in or around X amount by other companies from various ads that I've seen, however as I said I'm extremely willing to negotiate"

Never tell them what you used to earn. They have no right to know. At best they will think you are lying. At worst, it will give them a benchmark which might be below what they were willing to pay anyway.

I'll say one thing about going through agencies though. They have probably placed people in the company before and know how much they got, so you'll know before even applying. Also you can divert all discussions about salary to the agent if asked. Then when offer the agent will tell you the offer and go back again if you are not happy with the offer. No awkward moments about salary in an interview

jamesbrond

senordingdong wrote: »

True, but by doing such a thing, I'd be afraid of disqualifying myself by 'expecting' too much.

You expect what you are worth. If they are offering less than you are worth then dont even apply. And before anyone says you dont know what you are worth - find out. Preparation is key to getting a job.

BTW
If its your first job you are looking for it wont be long until you are worth NOTHING. FAS will see to that. They are well on their way to having a nation of people working for free.

DonalK1981

jamesbrond wrote: »

You expect what you are worth. If they are offering less than you are worth then dont even apply. And before anyone says you dont know what you are worth - find out. Preparation is key to getting a job.

BTW
If its your first job you are looking for it wont be long until you are worth NOTHING. FAS will see to that. They are well on their way to having a nation of people working for free.

Thankfully they are going to be disbanded or phased out. Sooner rather than later hopefully. The WPP is a muddying of the stats on unemployment to make the recession/state of affairs seem better than it actually is. Slave labour in reality. It never should have been started.

Mrs OBumble

jamesbrond wrote: »

You expect what you are worth. If they are offering less than you are worth then dont even apply. And before anyone says you dont know what you are worth - find out. Preparation is key to getting a job.

Finding out can be easier said than done: it can be difficult for individual job-seekers to know what other people who are looking for the same job would be willing to do it for.

Also, I've applied for a good few jobs that were offering less than I am worth - because a low paying job that doesn't use all my skills is still better than no job at all. I've cheerfully worked basic reception desks for E9.50 ph, and made damn sure that I didn't look bored or unhappy about it.

Employers generally have more information than you do: they know who else applied for the job, and also what they're paying for the role elsewhere. They also know that if you're unemployed you'll probably take a job for a lot less than the market rate - but that you'll probably leave again quite soon when a competitor offers you more money elsehwere. So wise employers will offer you the low side of market rate. Unwise ones will take advantage ... and I'd advise taking advantage right back as the economy improves again.

Will_H

When asked about your salary expectations in this manner, don't be afraid to ask them what their salary scale is for the position. But be polite! Don't give away your hand. Hold your nerve and see who blinks first. The company already knows what they want to pay. They have a budget.

If they carry on and push with it, explain that you're obviously extremely interested in the company & the position etc. etc., and that therefore you don't want to undersell yourself, or oversell yourself. Push the onus back on them.

DonalK1981

DonalK1981 wrote: »

Thankfully they are going to be disbanded or phased out. Sooner rather than later hopefully. The WPP is a muddying of the stats on unemployment to make the recession/state of affairs seem better than it actually is. Slave labour in reality. It never should have been started.

It's not only a FAS thing. It's happening everywhere, especially here in London. Employers are taking the p*ss by making what used to be entry level positions into unpaid internships. Agencies and employers act as if you're too big for your boots when you expect an actual living wage for working 40 hours a week. I was scoffed at not long ago for asking for £20K. That's barely a survival wage in London, considering the high rent and insane transport costs. Wow, how cheeky am I, an adult expecting to be able to support myself :rolleyes:

It's pathetic. It's creating a generation of twenty somethings who act like teenagers because they're forced to live at home while they work for free (or don't work at all). Unpaid internships ARE slave labour. It's purely taking advantage of people who are desperate and have no chance of actually getting paid to work, despite having all the required qualifications and skills. It's one thing for a 19 year old university student to do an internship one summer, it's quite another for a 26 year old with an advanced degree and several years of work experience to be living off Mammy and Daddy because the industry has decided they don't deserve to be paid. And of course, they're the lucky ones. Many people don't have the option to live off Mammy and Daddy and either end up on the dole or doing menial jobs to pay the bills. Our generation is getting well and truly skanked. My parents love to go on about how hard it was back then but they would NEVER have had to work for free.

donkey balls

Companies these days have the upper hand regarding salaries etc and most wont disclose what they are, I went for an interview/assesment about two years ago between the tests and interviews everything was going well till the salary question came up:eek:.
Basicly they wanted to pay me the min wage(average wage within the industry 40/60k depending on what company you work for) at that stage I lost interest in the interview,But yet the manager doing the interview was really excited about the T&C:rolleyes: recently at another job interview I was asked what my salary was(i do agency work) when I told them they said well we could not afford to pay that rate and by jaysus the job they had was hard going.