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6 Steps to Handling Salary Questions

6 Steps to Handling Salary Questions

Therese Droste / Monster

November 07, 2008















2. What Are You Currently Making?

Answer carefully. State that the new job, while in line with your skills, can’t compare to your current job. As such, your current salary isn’t a good judge of what you should earn in this position. “Answer: What I’m making is not important,” says Barowsky. “What is important is whether or not my skills are what you need, and I’m confident the range will be fair.” This allows you to reveal your self-confidence.

In addition, this levels the playing field if there are two candidates, Barowsky says. If you’re currently underpaid, answering such a question directly will work against you. “What if you work for a nonprofit, and your pay is lower than that of another candidate who has the same skills and experience but has a higher pay because he is with a corporation that offers competitive salaries?” Barowsky asks. “You could be hired at a much lower figure than the other person would have received. It’s not the past salary that’s important. It’s the skills and experience and what you can do for the organization.”

Next page: Get the Employer to Say a Number First

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Quiz: Are You Prepared for Your Interview?
Quiz: Is Your Resume HR-Ready?


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  • Photo_user_blank_big

    Tabina

    4 months ago

    6 comments

    Very informative

  • Dirty_santa_026_-_copy_max50

    BJMayers

    4 months ago

    132 comments

    Very informative

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    willwrig

    4 months ago

    2 comments

    With many applications being submitted via the internet, salary requirements are forced fields. How do you suggest responding to the salary requirements here. I thought of entering a $1 to some extreme maximum.

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    drhenderson

    4 months ago

    2 comments

    How do you handle electronic applications where you are forced to put in an amount?

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    Dawnm2006

    4 months ago

    4 comments

    Sadly I feel alot like some of the other recuriter. I have worked in well knowen Hig profile company. I found that There has always been a range with less than 3K to work within. It is almost set in stone. Especially in this budgetary climate, this is not how things work. I prefer to work w/ realistic expectations on both sides, everyone is happier in the end.

  • Jdmpic_max50

    jdmabanag

    4 months ago

    2 comments

    perfectly enlightening

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    nzanze

    4 months ago

    2 comments

    When push comes to shove the applicant always has the option to turn the job down. Best to be honest and up front during all stages of the interiew process.

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    recruitergirl88

    4 months ago

    4 comments

    A couple more points to make....big companies also look at the cost of living in the area the person will be working/living. So if you look at what similar professionals make, you need also to research the cost of living in that area.

    On a positive note, b/c big company salary structures are so rigid, you could also receive an offer higher than you expect because we don't want to underpay someone. Salary disparity across employees- in either direction -are problems we don't want create.

  • Dsc02028_max50

    sourabhchopra

    4 months ago

    34 comments

    Make something on Real Estate and Creative Persons

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    recruitergirl88

    4 months ago

    4 comments

    I get very frustrated w/ this kind of advice. I've worked for big, well known companies for many years and we do NOT have the ability to negotiate broadly. We have very strict and defined salary ranges and most roles are not so broadly scoped that we can bounce between salary levels. Generally the most I can budge on is a few grand. I want people to want to work for my company but I realize that taking a huge pay cut to work for a recognized brand won't work for everyone. I'm happy to tell candidates what the expected range for a job is because I don't want to waste their time if they aren't ready to accept what we can really pay. Sadly some still feel that we can pay significantly higher just b/c they want it. In big biz, especially in this budgetary climate, this is not how things work. I prefer to work w/ realistic expectations on both sides, everyone is happier in the end.

  • Dsc02028_max50

    sourabhchopra

    4 months ago

    34 comments

    Good One

  • Meandmelody2_max50

    dominicaj

    4 months ago

    2 comments

    VERY HELPFUL INFORMATION..THANKS

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    heralda

    4 months ago

    2 comments

    Good information

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    Eugene

    9 months ago

    44 comments

    good information

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    tyron

    11 months ago

    2 comments

    very co-operate. merci.

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