How soon to ask about salary in an interview? Is within the first 5 minutes OK?

JackieChang · 05-11-2022 01:21PM #1

I have a first round (or maybe pre-first round) interview on Monday that will last about 45 minutes according to the email.

There was no salary information on the job spec, nor when I applied was there a question on salary expectations.

So I don't want to waste 45 minutes of my time nor the other guy's time. I want to ask him almost straight out about salary. If the salary is decent, we can keep talking.

Have you done that before? After the introductory chit chat of course.

How can I do this without ruining my chance if the salary is actually decent? This guy seems to work in recruitment for the business, not in the department I applied for.

05-11-2022 01:42PM

Is it a remote interview? I wouldn't even be travelling to an interview without a salary range. TBH, I'd be less than impressed with a prospective employee coming to an interview without having a clue of what the salary range is. The time is already wasted, they can't move up other interviewees (barring you being the last one before lunch or end of the day)

JackieChang · 05-11-2022 07:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119836810#Comment_119836810

It's a remote interview.

So do you think I should email him and ask? The interview is at 5.30pm on Monday, don't think I've inconvenienced anyone.

05-11-2022 07:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119838434#Comment_119838434

If you've a phone number, I'd call them in the morning. It's a straight-forward question, "What's the salary range on offer for this position?". No serious HR/recruitment department ever opens a position without having that information already decided. Frankly, if they won't give out that information, or worse, try the "we're not looking for candidates primarily motivated by salary" nonsense, I'd consider that a strong negative, and it's unlikely to be worth your time

chrisd2019 · 05-11-2022 07:53PM

From your initial post I am assuming you are currently employed and not relying on this interview as an initial position.

Either make contact Monday morning & request the salary range for the position or attend the remote interview and early in the process ask about the salary. In the current employment market the person interviewing you should have a clear response to such a question. If they do not I would take it as an indication of the general nature of the employer.

...Ghost... · 05-11-2022 07:56PM

Wait for the appropriate time. If you didn't ask during the initial screening process, then you need to wait for the interview. Asking before the interview by any method is unprofessional. Unless you've something else lined up which gets in the way, you should wait. After the initial intro by the interviewer, or when you're breaking into your own intro, that's when you (a) know what the range should be and (b) ask if that is what they have on offer for the role, as you "don't want to take up anyones time if the remuneration is not in line with expectations".

05-11-2022 08:03PM

It's 45 mins. Just wait till the end if you are even remotely interested in the job on offer.

bucketybuck · 05-11-2022 08:37PM

Is 45mins of a remote interview really such a huge investment that you can't just do it and then ask for the salary should they call you back for a 2nd round?

Even waiting until the end of the interview where they usually ask if you have any questions would be better. Nothing says "mercenary" more than a lad demanding the numbers before even getting a chance to speak.

afatbollix · 05-11-2022 08:57PM

It's going to be one of the first questions they are going to ask you. So don't worry about it.

Deub · 05-11-2022 09:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119838785#Comment_119838785

+1

They are likely like you. They don’t want to waste their time so it should be one of the questions you will have in that interview.

How soon to ask about salary in an interview? Is within the first 5 minutes OK?

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