While in class our professor was talking about staffing. He said you always need a motivated staff, blah, blah, blah but he said one way of knowing if someone is motivated is that he ask one question. He says that while interviewing he tells the interviewee that this position pays from $15-$30 ph (that's just an example) then ask from that range what would you want to get paid?
He said most people will be modest and stay within the $17-$24 range. I've done this myself, always afraid that if I ask for too much they will think I'm greedy. Well he said out of every single person he has interviewed no one has said the largest amount of $30. He said the answer he is actually looking for is $30.
He then explains his reasoning. He said someone who ask for the highest amount demonstrates to him that they have the potential to be highly ambitious and will work hard. He said the actual salary amount can me negotiated, but if you give a low number he sees it as you not giving yourself enough value and probably don't put in the time to make yourself worth every penny.
I've never thought about it this way. I've always been told to be modest, but personally I happen to agree with him. If I know I'm competent then it's only fair for me to ask for the highest amount, as long as I explain why I believe I deserve it.
So what do you guys think?
Re: Heard something interesting in class today...Thoughts??
One of my professors when I was in college told us the same thing. I completely agree. I think it shows 1.) you feel that you can produce quality work for that wage. and 2.) you deserve it. Why not be greedy? What are they going to say since they gave you that large of a range?
I think I woudl have said between $25-30 but definetely in the high end of the range. I think if you say too little you are telling the interviewer that you don't have enough experience, characteristics, experience or potential to get paid $30. the lower range is usually for someone that doesn't have experience, or feels that they don't have the qualifications to do the job.
What class are you taking?
I totally agree with the professor! I mean if it's a job you are interviewing for, hopefully it's a job that you feel that you are capable and competent in doing, something you are a professional at, and therefore you should be paid the highest amount, because you are the best for the job .