When to ask about pay and Benefits?

everdead.ie

Hey I have finished college this year and started applying for jobs two weeks ago in Software Development fortunately I have had a few interviews already but only one interview gave any details on a salary and on benefits. The other companies like Ericsson & Deloitte gave no indication on what type of salary or benefits they give if I was successful.

Now I know it's only early doors here but during the interviews so far I don't feel comfortable asking these questions mainly I have asked just about training process and support their Graduate programs provide(questions I wanted answering anyway). But is their any time really appropriate to ask about these things?

um7y1h83ge06nx

In my opinion, the only time is when you are offered a job. If you were experienced or going for a senior role you could do some salary negotiations but being a graduate you probably can't do that.

I got asked the dreaded "What's your salary expectations?" in an initial phone interview. Cue 5 minutes of talking about "career roadmaps" and other such stuff before saying "Well of course If I was going to move companies I would be looking for an increase in salary". The thing was though, I never mentioned any specific figure or range.

I know this sounds like a cliche in the experience you'll get and opportunities to get sponsorship for post-grad courses or other professional development.

I've been working in Software Development since I qualified in 2005. If you want to ask any questions feel free to PM me.

everdead.ie

Lucian Powerful Leprechaun wrote: »

In my opinion, the only time is when you are offered a job. If you were experienced or going for a senior role you could do some salary negotiations but being a graduate you probably can't do that.

I got asked the dreaded "What's your salary expectations?" in an initial phone interview. Cue 5 minutes of talking about "career roadmaps" and other such stuff before saying "Well of course If I was going to move companies I would be looking for an increase in salary". The thing was though, I never mentioned any specific figure or range.

I know this sounds like a cliche in the experience you'll get and opportunities to get sponsorship for post-grad courses or other professional development.

I've been working in Software Development since I qualified in 2005. If you want to ask any questions feel free to PM me.

Cheers for thefts the what are your salary expectations one is awful annoying

Irish_Elect_Eng

+1 As the song says:

"Never count your money when your sitting at the table, there's time enough for counting when the dealing's done" :-)

The only time to discuss money is when there is a solid offer on the table.

With one exception Unless you know the going rate and you are happy to undercut it significantly, this can work in some industries to get in the door.

My favourite deflection line is:

"My salary expectations are in line with competitive industry sector rates for the role on offer given that this is a significant appointment with a key player in this market sector."

A mix of deflection with flattery and the interviewers favourite buzz words.

I then add "What salary range is normally offered for this position in company X"

If you get lucky they quote a figure or range.

Then you can come back with "That figure is acceptable, I accept your offer @ X Euro, thank you, now we can discuss what start date best suits you."

Then sit back and watch them try to remember did they make and offer or......

everdead.ie

I was offered a position with Deloitte in the end and signed a contract last week so very happy. Have to relocate to Dublin which will be costly but I can't complain.(Fortunately they didn't ask the dreaded Salary expectations question so I was grand)

creaghadoos

i was asked the salary expectation question last week and just plainly answered that similar roles in other parts of the country were being offered between X and Y

mickman

u shouldnt ever answer this question by asking "whats the usual range for a job like this"

you should know how much you want and just say the figure. simple as that

Eoin

It's a tough question to answer on the spot given that salary is just one aspect of the package.

There's also the likes of these to think about:

• Annual leave
• Sick leave
• Pension plan
• Educational assistance
• Health insurance
• Bonus/share scheme
• Maternity benefits

If you don't have these benefits at the moment, then you might find that you could be better off moving, even if the salary is the same. And conversely, if you do have those benefits and the new company doesn't, then the salary might have to be considerably higher for it to be worth your while.

So all that means that it's very hard to be able to answer on the spot what you salary you're looking for, unless both jobs offer the same benefits.

While I'd not bring it up in an interview, I'd hesitate to go in the first place without knowing if it's going to be wasting everyone's time if they can't offer a competitive package. My last couple of applications were through agencies though, which meant I could be a bit more candid upfront.

Shane732

Wow! There's some very unusual advice in this thread.

As far as I'm aware Deloitte are reasonable enough payers for graduates.

IMO if you're asked the "dreaded" salary expectations question then you face it head on. You give them the range that your happy with, as a graduate presumably you're looking for a fairly standard salary for your position, so your range should presumably be pretty close to the industry norm.

If you lie down and let them walk all over you then they will.

I see it where I work the whole time people don't stand up for themselves and they get walked on.

Eoin

As I said in the post above yours, there are a lot of other factors to take into account than just the salary. It could take several thousand euro to bridge the gap between a job with the benefits I listed above, and one without them.

Not giving a figure on the spot is not lying down and letting them walk over you.

My honest answer in an interview would be to say that I would be looking for the industry rate for my role, but would need to consider the complete package.