Salary expectation re interview

Shurwhynot · 11-07-2011 2:01pm #1

I have an interview tomorrow with a large engineering company as an assistant financial controller.

I qualified this year, and have 4 years of practice experience under my belt. The job spec has the salary as being 25,000-35,000. I told the recruiter that I would need a minimum of 30-32k and he said that shouldn't be an issue.

So if I'm asked in the interview what salary I expect, should I say minimum 30k?

Theboinkmaster · 11-07-2011 4:17pm

Shurwhynot wrote: »

I have an interview tomorrow with a large engineering company as an assistant financial controller.

I qualified this year, and have 4 years of practice experience under my belt. The job spec has the salary as being 25,000-35,000. I told the recruiter that I would need a minimum of 30-32k and he said that shouldn't be an issue.

So if I'm asked in the interview what salary I expect, should I say minimum 30k?

I was recruiting earlier this year and any CVs that came in on irishjobs with an expecation above the salary offered I disregarded immediately.

If you have a minimum in mind then definitely say it as you don't want to be wasting eachother's time. So if real minimum is €32k then if asked say something like "€32k to €37k" or whatever, depending on your knowledge of the company, location etc.

Best of luck.

smcgiff · 11-07-2011 4:34pm

Shurwhynot wrote: »

So if I'm asked in the interview what salary I expect, should I say minimum 30k?

Try to put off answering this question. Say you'd like to know more about the role etc first if asked at the first round interview.

It's in the company's favour to get this info out of you before offering the job. It's to your benefit to get to a stage where they want to hire you before you answer this.

Sounds difficult to achieve, but can be done.

bridster007 · 11-07-2011 5:16pm

I don't see the problem, your minimum is well within their offer range so say you are looking for 32k.
Don't think it is a good idea to avoid the question, better to show that you know what you want. They won't want a ditherer doing the job, they will want someone who knows what they are about and is able to make clear-cut decisions.

smcgiff · 11-07-2011 5:22pm

bridster007 wrote: »

I don't see the problem, your minimum is well within their offer range so say you are looking for 32k.
Don't think it is a good idea to avoid the question, better to show that you know what you want. They won't want a ditherer doing the job, they will want someone who knows what they are about and is able to make clear-cut decisions.

Dithering? It's called salary maximisation and shows negotiation skills.

bridster007 · 11-07-2011 5:31pm

smcgiff wrote: »

Dithering? It's called salary maximisation and shows negotiation skills.

Well, if I am shortlisting for the 2nd round of interviews I want to know what their salary expectations are. Not interested in wasting time with candidates that feel they can push for a higher salary just because they got to the final stages.
The interview is for a large engineering firm and therefore they are likely to have a set slary scale so they will need to know if the candidate will fit into that.
OP wants advice for an interview, if I was interviewing him/her they would not be on the 2nd call without answering that question.
If the interviewer asks the question, they most likely want an answer.

Everyone is diffferent though, the interviewer on the day may be happy with a "???" beside his question.

smcgiff · 11-07-2011 5:43pm

It's horses for courses.

This technique has certainly worked for me over the years. It may not be for everybody, and I've an excellent track record on interviews.

Thankfully I've not been interviewed by you, however, on the other side of the fence I also like candidates to show they've a bit of spark.

Shurwhynot · 13-07-2011 9:37am

I had the first interview yesterday and salary wasn't mentioned. I only met the Financial Controller, so it was a fairly casual chat.

He told me at the end of the interview that he wanted me to do a 2nd interview with the Financial Director, which is later on today. So I assume salary will come up then. Seeing as the job spec said 25,000-35,000, should I go ahead and ask for the 35,000?

Also, I got the interview through a recruiter. He rang me yesterday evening with time of interview today etc. He told me I was down to the final 2 but that he thought I was ahead due to my personality and experience. I found this a fairly strange thing to say, so I'm beginning to wonder if there is in fact a 2nd person going for it. He also asked me would I be willing to take the job on the spot if I were to get it and also my notice period.

smcgiff · 13-07-2011 10:41am

Shurwhynot wrote: »

I had the first interview yesterday and salary wasn't mentioned. I only met the Financial Controller, so it was a fairly casual chat.

He told me at the end of the interview that he wanted me to do a 2nd interview with the Financial Director, which is later on today. So I assume salary will come up then. Seeing as the job spec said 25,000-35,000, should I go ahead and ask for the 35,000?

Also, I got the interview through a recruiter. He rang me yesterday evening with time of interview today etc. He told me I was down to the final 2 but that he thought I was ahead due to my personality and experience. I found this a fairly strange thing to say, so I'm beginning to wonder if there is in fact a 2nd person going for it. He also asked me would I be willing to take the job on the spot if I were to get it and also my notice period.

Sounds good!

In my experience a company doesn't decide to go for the lesser of two candidates based on a couple of grand.

If I were in your position I'd say I'd be aiming towards the higher end of the salary range. Hopefully that would be enough, but if pushed I'd say 34 to 35, which still gives a small amount of wriggle room. If they push further then I'd probably say €35k, but be able to back it up with why you should get €35k.

Good luck!

Shurwhynot · 14-07-2011 1:02pm

Had my 2nd interview yesterday. Again went very well. I ws asked about salary and I said I'd be looking for between 32-35k, thinking that I would get 32 at least.

Phone call this morning offering me the job and 35k starting off!! I didn't know whether to believe them or not! For someone coming from practice still earning 17k despite qualifying this year, this really is a dream come true. It just shows that there are good news stories out there in relation to jobs!

J.Ryan · 14-07-2011 1:13pm

Congrats

ted2767 · 14-07-2011 1:13pm

Shurwhynot wrote: »

Had my 2nd interview yesterday. Again went very well. I ws asked about salary and I said I'd be looking for between 32-35k, thinking that I would get 32 at least.

Phone call this morning offering me the job and 35k starting off!! I didn't know whether to believe them or not! For someone coming from practice still earning 17k despite qualifying this year, this really is a dream come true. It just shows that there are good news stories out there in relation to jobs!

Well done!

Clanno · 14-07-2011 1:31pm

Shurwhynot wrote: »

Had my 2nd interview yesterday. Again went very well. I ws asked about salary and I said I'd be looking for between 32-35k, thinking that I would get 32 at least.

Phone call this morning offering me the job and 35k starting off!! I didn't know whether to believe them or not! For someone coming from practice still earning 17k despite qualifying this year, this really is a dream come true. It just shows that there are good news stories out there in relation to jobs!

well done - u must be absolutely delighted!!

Lux23 · 14-07-2011 2:16pm

Well done, that's your salary doubled over night!

Theboinkmaster · 14-07-2011 2:24pm

Shurwhynot wrote: »

Had my 2nd interview yesterday. Again went very well. I ws asked about salary and I said I'd be looking for between 32-35k, thinking that I would get 32 at least.

Phone call this morning offering me the job and 35k starting off!! I didn't know whether to believe them or not! For someone coming from practice still earning 17k despite qualifying this year, this really is a dream come true. It just shows that there are good news stories out there in relation to jobs!

Hey congratulations, nice to hear some good news