How to Discuss Salary with Your New Employer

Under the best of circumstances, it can be nerve-wracking to tackle the topic of compensation with a new or prospective employer. You worry that if you don’t negotiate, you’ll end up with the lowest possible salary (true); but if you play hardball, you may not get the job at all (usually untrue, but who knows?).

In this economy, employers are particularly keen to get you to accept the lowest end of whatever range of salary they are prepared to offer. And some employers won’t negotiate at all.

So what to do?

Don’t bring up salary until you get a firm job offer. That isn’t to say that the employer won’t bring it up sooner. But don’t mention it yourself until offered a position. Sometimes, an employer hasn’t even seriously considered salary — they wanted to see who they would hire first. Others are waiting for you to broach the topic, and you will have given the impression that you want the job for the job, and not just for the money.

Of course, this is all unfair — you’re putting in all the time and work of the interview process, and have no clear idea of how much the job pays. I once interviewed for a great job with a great company — and was told at the very end of the process that they really wanted me, but didn’t think I would like the pay. It was half of what I could conceivably live on, and I was forced to turn it down. If I’d known what the job paid from the beginning, I would have politely turned down the interview.

Find out what other people are paid for the same position at similar firms. This research is very easy to do online. In my experience, what websites list as the average salary for various positions is much higher than what employers actually offer. But if you can say “whatpeoplegetpaid.com says the average wage for a widget comptroller is $80,000,” the employer is put in the position of having to offer you something near the higher end of what the firm is willing to pay.

Don’t lie about past salaries. Often, employers ask what you made at your last job, and tack on 5% or 10%. If that total is within their acceptable salary range, that’s what they offer. This might tempt you to lie about your past salary. Don’t. Lying about something that can easily be fact-checked is a great way to end up back in the dole queue.

Don’t use your personal life in salary negotiations. Your prospective employer does not want to hear that your kid needs braces, or that your mortgage is past due. You haven’t even started yet, and you’re already dragging your home life into the office.

When negotiating salary, talk about the professional credentials and skills that will make you valuable to the firm. Make clear that by hiring you at better pay, they will in fact save money, and may just be snatching you away from other prospective employers. Don’t bring your personal life into it.

Got any more advice for negotiating salaries? Let us know in the comments!

Tags: compensation, interview tactics, job search advice, negotiating salaries

Job Interview Tips from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics

From my favorite US Bureau, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics — some basic advice for the many, many, many people looking for work.

They’re your tax dollars — take advantage!

Job Interview Tips

An interview gives you the opportunity to showcase your qualifications to an employer, so it pays to be well prepared. The following information provides some helpful hints.

Preparation:

• Learn about the organization.
• Have a specific job or jobs in mind.
• Review your qualifications for the job.
• Be ready to briefly describe your experience, showing how it relates it the job.
• Be ready to answer broad questions, such as “Why should I hire you?” “Why do you want this job?” “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
• Practice an interview with a friend or relative.

Personal appearance:

• Be well groomed.
• Dress appropriately.
• Do not chew gum or smoke.

The interview:

• Be early.
• Learn the name of your interviewer and greet him or her with a firm handshake.
• Use good manners with everyone you meet.
• Relax and answer each question concisely.
• Use proper English—avoid slang.
• Be cooperative and enthusiastic.
• Use body language to show interest—use eye contact and don’t slouch.
• Ask questions about the position and the organization, but avoid questions whose answers can easily be found on the company Web site.
• Also avoid asking questions about salary and benefits unless a job offer is made.
• Thank the interviewer when you leave and shake hands.
• Send a short thank you note.

Information to bring to an interview:

• Social Security card.
• Government-issued identification (driver’s license).
• Resume or application. Although not all employers require a resume, you should be able to furnish the interviewer information about your education, training, and previous employment.
• References. Employers typically require three references. Get permission before using anyone as a reference. Make sure that they will give you a good reference. Try to avoid using relatives as references.
• Transcripts. Employers may require an official copy of transcripts to verify grades, coursework, dates of attendance, and highest grade completed or degree awarded.

Tags: interview tactics, interview tips, interviews, job search advice, US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Can You Repeat the Question?

Here’s one piece of interview advice — repeat the question.

For instance:

Interviewer: “What do you think is your greatest flaw as an employee?”
Interviewee: “What do I think is my greatest flaw as an employee? I’m a perfectionist — I always want to do my job right.”

(By the way, don’t give that answer — everyone says that.)

Of course, you’re going to sound like an idiot if you immediately repeat every question. So mix it up:

Interviewer: “What is your favorite part of being a writer?”
Interviewee: “Working at home. That’s my favorite part.”

Why should you repeat the questions an interviewer asks? I can think of four reasons.

1.) It shows the interviewer you are really paying attention.

2.) Some people go off topic, without even realizing it. Repeating the question reinforces to your own brain what it is you’re supposed to be talking about.

3.) It buys you a few extra seconds to think of an answer.

4.) I’m reminded of a famous story that chef Anthony Bourdain tells in his excellent memoir – slash – guide for foodies, Kitchen Confidential.

Bourdain was interviewing for a job as chef for a famous New York City steakhouse. It was going very well until the owner asked Bourdain, “what do you know about me?”

Bourdain knew nothing about the owner, and said so. The interview became awkward, and Bourdain left knowing he wouldn’t get the job.

Walking down the street after leaving the restaurant, Bourdain suddenly realized — he had been asked “what do you know about meat?”

Now, if Bourdain had been following my advice, he would have answered “what do I know about you? Nothing, I’m afraid.” The owner would have laughed and repeated the question more clearly. Bourdain might have gotten the job.

So ask yourself, “should I repeat the questions that interviewers ask?”

Then answer, “Yes, I should repeat the questions that interviewers ask!”

Tags: Anthony Bourdain, interview tactics, interviews, job search advice, meat