"What are your salary expectations?"

Kermit.de.frog · 21-02-2019 12:51am #1

Ugh I hate this question in interviews.

Do all the research you like but go too low they think you are mad, go too high they think your mad.

What interview questions do you hate/dread?

Atlantic Dawn · 21-02-2019 12:53am

What are your weaknesses?

Such a pointless question, so many times I've felt like saying "Your Ma...".

mickdw · 21-02-2019 12:54am

20 percent more than you in 12 months.

The Satanist · 21-02-2019 12:56am

I'm ambitious

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_aLESDql1U

21-02-2019 12:56am

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

What are your weaknesses?

Such a pointless question, so many times I've felt like saying "Your Ma...".

I like this response. Been doing the rounds a while but still good

3ea448e43fceee47bd8af710cf68fc0f9d029252a65223c36373071f2acc8dc8.jpg

sundodger5 · 21-02-2019 12:57am

a euro more than i can spend...

pleas advice · 21-02-2019 1:01am

"...don't say 'doing your wife', don't say 'doing your wife', don't say 'doing your wife', .."

dreamers75 · 21-02-2019 1:01am

Its not hard really, what are you on? Are you going elsewhere for more?

Generally if you are going for a job and you dont know the rate for that job in the current market, thats poor research.

So if you on X add what think you should be on and say that.

Honesty cartoon above nails it....kinda.

Beasty · 21-02-2019 1:05am

Never been asked the question. When my boss left 29 years ago I tried to get a rise, but was unsuccessful. Told to wait six months, then the guy who told me that died a couple of months later and it was all forgotten. Was told they would recruit a replacement for my boss, but they were not prepared to pay the going rate, so I effectively took on the role anyway. Took another 8 years or so, but eventually I started seeing some quite significant returns for my loyalty

I was definitely underpaid during the first 10 years, but arguably have been overpaid for the last 10 years - not as overpaid as those who are more senior than me though!!

Ipso · 21-02-2019 1:11am

Why do you want to work here?

Interviews have turned into complete and utter dog an pony shows, you have to pretend that this job is your dream one and not the one that some recruiter landed you with.

Ficheall · 21-02-2019 1:18am

"What would you bring to the role?"

ninebeanrows · 21-02-2019 1:20am

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

Ugh I hate this question in interviews.

Do all the research you like but go too low they think you are mad, go too high they think your mad.

What interview questions do you hate/dread?

Kermit - youve been in a dead end civil service job for over 30 years, what do you know about this question :pac::D

upinsmoke · 21-02-2019 1:21am

I said that in Amsterdam once or twice

demanufactured · 21-02-2019 1:23am

Ficheall wrote: »

"What would you bring to the role?"

Butter and ketchup.

KungPao · 21-02-2019 1:31am

€198.00 per week.

And a little extra for the childer.

the_pen_turner · 21-02-2019 1:31am

demanufactured wrote: »

Butter and ketchup.

probably the best time to burst into pat shorts infamous song

the_pen_turner · 21-02-2019 1:32am

its the stupid ones that annoy me
stuff like this

If you could be any character in fiction, whom would you be?
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
If you had to be shipwrecked on a deserted island, but all your human needs—such as food and water—were taken care of, what two items would you want to have with you?
If you had six months with no obligations or financial constraints, what would you do with the time?

If you had only six months left to live, what would you do with the time?
If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be and why?
If you could compare yourself with any animal, which would it be and why?
If you were a type of food, what type of food would you be?
If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?
If you were a salad, what kind of dressing would you want?
How do I rate as an interviewer?
If you were a car, what type would you be?
Who do you admire most and why?

In the news story of your life, what would the headline say?

Ipso · 21-02-2019 1:33am

the_pen_turner wrote: »

its the stupid ones that annoy me
stuff like this

If you could be any character in fiction, whom would you be?
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
If you had to be shipwrecked on a deserted island, but all your human needs—such as food and water—were taken care of, what two items would you want to have with you?
If you had six months with no obligations or financial constraints, what would you do with the time?

If you had only six months left to live, what would you do with the time?
If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be and why?
If you could compare yourself with any animal, which would it be and why?
If you were a type of food, what type of food would you be?
If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?
If you were a salad, what kind of dressing would you want?
How do I rate as an interviewer?
If you were a car, what type would you be?
Who do you admire most and why?

In the news story of your life, what would the headline say?

Did David Brent interview you?

the_pen_turner · 21-02-2019 1:35am

Ipso wrote: »

Did David Brent interview you?

just a quicke google for odd interview questions.

how i rate as an interviewer is a crazy one

upinsmoke · 21-02-2019 1:38am

Ficheall wrote: »

"What would you bring to the role?"

That's one of the easiest to be fair and should be well researched

Your Face · 21-02-2019 1:42am

I always aim high and act surprised if it's lower.

I'm good at my job and won't take insufficient renumeration.

Kermit.de.frog · 21-02-2019 1:48am

Sleety_Rain wrote: »

Kermit - youve been in a dead end civil service job for over 30 years, what do you know about this question :pac::D

On the contrary Boards pays me exceptionally well for my expertise on the weather forum but it's time to move on to bigger and better forums :pac:

pleas advice · 21-02-2019 2:43am

How do I rate as an interviewer?

you were doing all right till you asked that one,

jimgoose · 21-02-2019 10:17am

"Sometimes I work too hard."

"That's not a weakness."

"It is - I stay at my desk for weeks, forgetting to eat. I actually die dead in my cubicle, disturbing my cow-workers with the foul offally stench of my decaying remains. Eventually, as the project deadline approaches, I re-animate as a hideous zombie to feast on the brains of the living, who are then left with no option but to go into middle-management, and sit in rooms like this asking idiotic fuckan questions all day."

"Well reasoned. You're hired!"

Ush1 · 21-02-2019 10:22am

Well the thing about moving for more money is you can't price yourself too high.

21-02-2019 10:37am

I've spent the last few days spending €175 m in my head. Even googling multi million euro properties in Geneva.

I will accept nothing less than 175 mil

Feisar · 21-02-2019 10:40am

Your Face wrote: »

I always aim high and act surprised if it's lower.

I'm good at my job and won't take insufficient renumeration.

I never argue over money, I'm a fair and reasonable person so if I don't get what I want I vote with my feet.

emeldc · 21-02-2019 11:01am

Your Face wrote: »

I always aim high and act surprised if it's lower.

I'm good at my job and won't take insufficient renumeration.

Well you're not coming to work for me. The word is 'remuneration'.

AndrewJRenko · 21-02-2019 11:03am

Ush1 wrote: »

Well the thing about moving for more money is you can't price yourself too high.

You can, actually. You can very easily price yourself out of the market.

And it's not just a question of what they will pay you. There is also the question of how many people they have back in the office doing a similar job who will find out what you're on sooner or later.

Hector Savage · 21-02-2019 11:06am

pleas advice wrote: »

"...don't say 'doing your wife', don't say 'doing your wife', don't say 'doing your wife', .."

....doing your ..... son ??

Theboinkmaster · 21-02-2019 11:08am

As Mitch Hedberg puts it:

Q - Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

A - Celebrating the 5th anniversary of you asking me that question

begbysback · 21-02-2019 11:09am

“Why do you want to work for our wonderful company?”

Eh, I’m unemployed and need a job.

Actually said this in an interview, thankfully they were struggling to fill the position at the time and I got the job.

topper75 · 21-02-2019 11:09am

You'd **** Oprah?

irishgrover · 21-02-2019 11:15am

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

What are your weaknesses?

Such a pointless question, so many times I've felt like saying "Your Ma...".

Was having my annual review with my boss (good guy, who I respect, but I'm a lot more direct than him). He was suggesting to me that I should be more "situationally aware". We work for a big company and there is always some level of politics going on, which I ignore. My position is always, tell the truth, no matter how uncomfortable to you or others.
So we had a discussion about my "situational awareness" and how I needed to work on it...At the end I told him I thought I understood and told him this interview story by way of an analogy..

Interviewer: What is your biggest weakness?

Interviewee: I am confident and strong minded. I'm an independent thinker, am not easily influenced or derailed by others in my thoughts and actions. I can work independently and without too much supervision.

Interviewer: Hah, I don't think that is a weakness, I think that is a strength.

Interviewee: I don't give a **** what you think!

Theboinkmaster · 21-02-2019 11:17am

irishgrover wrote: »

Was having my annual review with my boss (good guy, who I respect, but I'm a lot more direct than him). He was suggesting to me that I should be more "situationally aware". We work for a big company and there is always some level of politics going on, which I ignore. My position is always, tell the truth, no matter how uncomfortable to you or others.
So we had a discussion about my "situational awareness" and how I needed to work on it...At the end I told him I thought I understood and told him this interview story by way of an analogy..

Interviewer: What is your biggest weakness?

Interviewee: I am confident and strong minded. I'm an independent thinker, am not easily influenced or derailed by others in my thoughts and actions. I can work independently and without too much supervision.

Interviewer: Hah, I don't think that is a weakness, I think that is a strength.

Interviewee: I don't give a **** what you think!

I'd agree with your boss - you need to work on your emotional intelligence.

seamus · 21-02-2019 11:20am

Realistically if you're sitting in an interview and being asked this question, you've both fncked up. There's no way I'll waste my time going in for an interview without knowing they can offer what I'm looking for.

If they don't advertise the salary (or range) upfront, then it's one of the first things that should be established before any part of the interview.

I don't go for any of this lateral thinking bollox in interviews. Just straightforward questions, tell me about what you're doing now, tell me what parts of it you like, what parts of it you don't. Have a general chat about topics specific to the role, I'm not going to try and catch you out looking for narrow specifics that practically anyone would have to google in order to answer them correctly.
Just high-level chats so you can prove that you understand the work even if you have to spend your first 3 weeks using a search engine.

If someone can cram/study for your interview, then your interview process is going to hire people who are good at retaining facts but bad at using them.

I also refuse to do the "tell me about a time you...", or "What is the best/worst project you were ever on"? I don't categorise information like that in my brain. I can't answer those questions. I'm not 12, I don't have a running list of my best/worst/favourite/hated anythings. So I don't ask them.

the_pen_turner · 21-02-2019 11:23am

seamus wrote: »

Realistically if you're sitting in an interview and being asked this question, you've both fncked up. There's no way I'll waste my time going in for an interview without knowing they can offer what I'm looking for.

If they don't advertise the salary (or range) upfront, then it's one of the first things that should be established before any part of the interview.

I don't go for any of this lateral thinking bollox in interviews. Just straightforward questions, tell me about what you're doing now, tell me what parts of it you like, what parts of it you don't. Have a general chat about topics specific to the role, I'm not going to try and catch you out looking for narrow specifics that practically anyone would have to google in order to answer them correctly.
Just high-level chats so you can prove that you understand the work even if you have to spend your first 3 weeks using a search engine.

If someone can cram/study for your interview, then your interview process is going to hire people who are good at retaining facts but bad at using them.

I also refuse to do the "tell me about a time you...", or "What is the best/worst project you were ever on"? I don't categorise information like that in my brain. I can't answer those questions. I'm not 12, I don't have a running list of my best/worst/favourite/hated anythings. So I don't ask them.

How would you handle the question. Just not answer or tell them it's a stupid question

Hector Savage · 21-02-2019 12:20pm

It's a cliche but that question (what are your weaknesses?) is easy to deal with - you just need to turn it into a positive.
and no not the "I'm a bit of a perfectionist" one

Ush1 · 21-02-2019 12:25pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

You can, actually. You can very easily price yourself out of the market.

And it's not just a question of what they will pay you. There is also the question of how many people they have back in the office doing a similar job who will find out what you're on sooner or later.

If you're moving for money, you set the amount. You won't price yourself out because the only reason you are moving is for that amount.

LirW · 21-02-2019 12:36pm

I had a successful interview a few years ago with a multinational and got offered the job but I didn't see the alarm bells ringing. The interviewer dodged the salary question and said HR will fill me in, they know the numbers.
Onto HR they said the pay is X. After offering me the position they sent the contract and I found out that they actually don't hire me but I'm on a crap 12 month-contract with a recruitment agency with a lower rate of pay and no security at all.

I confronted them and they got really uncomfortable, telling me entirely different things than initially stated. Anyway, I thanked them for their offer and said this isn't going to work out.

What an utter waste of time.

21-02-2019 12:41pm

Hector Savage wrote: »

It's a cliche but that question (what are your weaknesses?) is easy to deal with - you just need to turn it into a positive.
and no not the "I'm a bit of a perfectionist" one

I don't know why interviewers are even bothering their arses with this anymore. Everyone has pre-rehearsed answer (mine is: I'm not great at multi tasking, but I'm a very diligent worker, when I'm doing a task, I commit to it 100% (says he, posting on boards in work))

It's such a stupid question. Do they never tire of the same boring questions and answers? Anyone who even asks it is just being lazy.

razorblunt · 21-02-2019 12:47pm

I barely recall the last time I was asked about my salary expectations, it tends to be a HR question and often can lead to issues with HR saying "its outside the range" and the hiring manager saying "just give the cash". I walked away as HR were playing silly buggers on that.
When it was asked, I asked what the range was, if top end was a stretch then fair enough but I don't want to be deliberately underpaid either.

Apart from that my main issues are folks can sometimes think their job is really complicated and will put barriers in the way saying knowledge gaps exists and all that. I've actually noticed it more in my firm as I often sit in on interviews for my older team to give impartial feedback. It's still an issue today to the extent certain folk aren't asked to interview new candidates anymore.

The worst question I was asked though was "you enter a room and see your kid playing with a hammer, what's your reaction".
'Shock and anger' was my reply, 'I didn;t know I had any children'. Fcuker still insisted I think about it.

Boom_Bap · 21-02-2019 12:49pm

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

I don't know why interviewers are even bothering their arses with this anymore. Everyone has pre-rehearsed answer (mine is: I'm not great at multi tasking, but I'm a very diligent worker, when I'm doing a task, I commit to it 100% (says he, posting on boards in work))

It's such a stupid question. Do they never tire of the same boring questions and answers? Anyone who even asks it is just being lazy.

Your answer is an immediate concern for anyone interviewing you if the job spec states that the role has multiple disciplines.

21-02-2019 12:55pm

Boom_Bap wrote: »

Your answer is an immediate concern for anyone interviewing you if the job spec states that the role has multiple disciplines.

I do have some grey matter left you know! The answer was designed to fit my line of work, where you're often focusing on a specific problem for a number of days, or weeks. Obviously I wouldn't say that if I were applying for a post in a very dynamic environment. Anyway, my point is that the question just wastes everyone's time. It's so predictable, everyone has an answer to suit their prospective role.

razorblunt · 21-02-2019 12:55pm

seamus wrote: »

Realistically if you're sitting in an interview and being asked this question, you've both fncked up. There's no way I'll waste my time going in for an interview without knowing they can offer what I'm looking for.

If they don't advertise the salary (or range) upfront, then it's one of the first things that should be established before any part of the interview.

I don't go for any of this lateral thinking bollox in interviews. Just straightforward questions, tell me about what you're doing now, tell me what parts of it you like, what parts of it you don't. Have a general chat about topics specific to the role, I'm not going to try and catch you out looking for narrow specifics that practically anyone would have to google in order to answer them correctly.
Just high-level chats so you can prove that you understand the work even if you have to spend your first 3 weeks using a search engine.

If someone can cram/study for your interview, then your interview process is going to hire people who are good at retaining facts but bad at using them.

I also refuse to do the "tell me about a time you...", or "What is the best/worst project you were ever on"? I don't categorise information like that in my brain. I can't answer those questions. I'm not 12, I don't have a running list of my best/worst/favourite/hated anythings. So I don't ask them.

I agree with almost all of that Seamus but I do think there's value in "tell me when you face a challenge like xyz" especially if you think the candidate is hiding something.
It's amazing that some people basically give away the fact they're arseholes when answering stuff like that. I don't use it that often but I do use it when I think someone might be unlikely to handle negative feedback or poor conflict resolution.

Richard Hillman · 21-02-2019 12:56pm

begbysback wrote: »

“Why do you want to work for our wonderful company?”

Eh, I’m unemployed and need a job.

Actually said this in an interview, thankfully they were struggling to fill the position at the time and I got the job.

There are these videos on the internet that show real interviews. When the guy asks the girls why they wanna work in the industry, they usually just say the money or that they are trying to pay their way through college. Then they do a trial to see if the girl is suitable for the industry. Very good interviews. Some of the ladies are naturals.

Ray Palmer · 21-02-2019 1:02pm

The answer is fairly easy. " I expect suitable remuneration in line with my experience and what the role entails"

If they keep pushing" I will review the latest salary surveys based on what I learned in this interview and get back to you"
The question should never be asked in the first place as the interview is about suitability. Salary range should be spoken about prior to interview and final salary around job offer.

I went to an interview and there was a salary range shown. Prior to the interview I told the recruitment agency that the top of the range was my bottom limit and there would be no point doing it if they were not going to give me that rate.
All assured then during the interview the interviewer said I see here you have said you want the top rate but we aren't prepared to give that to you. Asked why they wanted to interview given that, we believe you will take lower. Informed them they were very wrong and unprofessional and asked who their boss was. Left the interview went to reception and asked to speak to their boss. He came down I explained the situation. He was horrified and called the 3 interviwers into a meeting. Then called me in where they each apologised. Explained how I obviously couldn't work there now or in the future with these people and would tell people to stay clear of the opportunities in the company.
The boss range me a few months later to replace one of the interviewer and be the boss of the other 2 but I declined.

seamus · 21-02-2019 1:07pm

the_pen_turner wrote: »

How would you handle the question. Just not answer or tell them it's a stupid question

Which question? The salary one? I don't let it get to that point.

The "tell me about a time..." question, I'm upfront and say my brain doesn't really work that way, but give me a minute and I'll come up with something. Then we sit there in silence for 10 seconds until I can come up with some semi-truthful bull**** to get us through it.

BrokenArrows · 21-02-2019 1:09pm

Feisar wrote: »

I never argue over money, I'm a fair and reasonable person so if I don't get what I want I vote with my feet.

By kicking the **** out of them until they pay enough?

BrokenArrows · 21-02-2019 1:10pm

emeldc wrote: »

Well you're not coming to work for me. The word is 'remuneration'.

Well that's my new information for the day. Time to head home.

seamus · 21-02-2019 1:12pm

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Well that's my new information for the day. Time to head home.

Remuneration is what you get on pay day.

Renumeration is what you do with your penny jar the day before pay day.

"What are your salary expectations?"

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