Okay, I do have a job question

PMeg819

Like I said, my interview went very well. However, during the interview the woman asked me salary information. I was caught off guard. I've never been asked about that during an interview, just after I've been offered a position.

Has this happened to you? I didn't have a good answer for her and I'm sort of afraid I lowballed them.

Mrs.Thistletwat

I usual give a range with the target salary in the middle.

"I'm looking to have a salary somewhere between $67k and year and $73k a year." What I'm really looking to get is $70k.  At the same time, I'm willing to accept anything in that range.

Mrs.Thistletwat

Also before answering I've been told a general idea of what the salary of the position is. Adjust accordingly.

PMeg819

I wasn't given great information about the salary. The woman I interviewed with said "they are offering in the low XXX's". I was like okay, but I didn't do a little independent research to see what the average area salary was for the job.

Anyways. But they did say that if I didn't take their healthcare/dental/vision they offer more salary. Which is great, because DH's insurance rocks and I wouldn't take theirs.

Andy28

I was going to say the same thing as thistle.

TheDuckis

Ditto TT, but I put the salary I want at the bottom of my range, not the middle.

Mrs.Thistletwat

I always feel that I'll price myself out of the job if I do that. If I'm willing to accept a little lower than I'll stick the goal salary in the middle.

I got the highest they were willing to go with my current position which wasn't what I wanted, but I was willing to accept it because i needed to get out of the position/salary I was in.

TheDuckis

I find that the offer they give you often has little or nothing to do with you're "requirements." If they want to hire you for 5K less than what you asked for, they'll offer you that (or lower). Real salary negotiation doesn't begin until the job is offered, so I always highball in the beginning knowing that they'll lowball me when the time comes.

hmonkey

i agree with td.  my sister does this to job applicants.

Butter Cookie

Yes, they always ask me what salary I'm looking for. I tell them $XXX which is 3K more than I'm making now. I see faces light up all "Oh thank god" style, but still no new job.