What salary are you expecting?

[Snowydrift]

How do you answer this interview question? Especially if this will be your first job and you have no previous experience/salary as a reference.

[Flisspaps]

I've taken my last salary and gone from there. Can't do that with a first job though!

Work out what you need, add a bit on, or have a look what other similar jobs are offering and use that as a guide.

[Snowydrift]

Technically we don't need anything. We are scraping by on what DH earns (how long this will last I don't know, DC's are little and I've had no new clothes since I bought my maternity stuff!) I've looked, but its hard to find any numbers. I've never seen a job advertised with a salary listed (and I've been looking for a while now) it seems not to be the done thing here to talk about salary. I don't know anyone working in this branch, even DH says he has no idea. I was wondering if there is a clever way to turn the question round and ask them what they're offering! Because basically if they offer me the job, I'll take it even if the salary is crap.

Our childcare is means tested so I won't know how much it will cost until I know how much I would earn.

I'm over 30 and never had a proper salary

[lljkk]

I think you can reply with a vague comment like "I'm not worried about that" which leaves it to them to propose something.

Else Go with the level of qualifications, I think. So if it's a low skill job, wages start at or near min. wage, and add £1/hour for every yr of training required post GCSE. And turn that into a salary if it's not hourly paid.

[prozacbear]

I know it's been a while since anyone posted on this but I feel obliged to comment!

Please don't say, "I'm not worried about that" - when I interview people and that's their response I immediately think they will a)work for peanuts and b)wonder why on earth they want a job if salary isn't an issue - salary is a motivator for most people and I would like to be able to motivate people with money as well as the job/company!

If you give me an idea of what job titles/job descriptions you're applying for I can give you a loose guide or find out - I'm a recruiter so hopefully will have something resembling a vaguely accurate view, depending on the roles, but I can find out pretty easily too.

[Revengeofkarma]

Without giving specific numbers, be able to show you've done your research on both the sector and whatvitvoays generally and what the job may pay in particular.

For example: "I know the market rate for this job is higher/lower than what you're currently advertising. However, as this is a charity/the economy is putting pressure on wages/this job will require considerable overtime (find your valid reason) so I am prepared to work for below market rate/the salary you advertised is something I can accept." Remember the answer is about demonstrating you know your sector and have done your research so if they offer it to you no one will be surprised that either sides salary expectations are that out of synch.

Do not, under any circumstances, do what my friend just did in the US. She applied for a job, not in her field, starting over and got an interview. The night before the interview, we were IM-ing and she tells me about it and that she hasn't worked out if she can afford to take the job if offered. The salary range offered was $30k - $40k. She gave me a number for rent (shes currently living with her parents but wants to move back to the city and would have to for this job) and for child care. I multiplied those by 12 and it came to $42k.

She genuinely then wondered if she could get $42k for the job because that's what her costs would be.

1. she forgot about deductions for tax, etc, not to mention eating, petrol, cell phone bills, etc. so on her numbers she was going to need a LOT more than $42k (I think she also needed to find a way to reduce her numbers, but still).
   
   
2. she had no experience in this field. You simply can't walk in and say "I can't take this job for less than over your top range" unless they are desperate to have you for some reason. It is about what they want to pay you, not what you need to live on. The more experience you have, etc the more they want to pay you to get you above someone else. At least that's how it is supposed to work - the short version.
   
   I tried to be diplomatic in explaining this to her, far more so than I am being here. Maybe too much so - she went in and told them she would happily take the job but only for $55k.
   
   Now she doesn't understand why they wouldn't give her the job or why her applications for other jobs in the organisation for the same pay range don't get her interviews.

[Revengeofkarma]

Ps they might be far less likely to ask you the what salary question on your first job. Be prepared, but don't be surprised if it doesn't come up at all.

[westcoastnortherner]

You don't happen to be in canada do you op?

[LovesBeingWokenEveryNight]

Well don't sell yourself short.

I applied for a job whilst on mat leave and When asked I added a grand onto the advertised rate (just rounded it up certainly not planned), they came back and offered me that plus and £500 due to my experience. My advise don't be over the top but why no try.

[RememberingMyPFEs]

I heard a story recently about a graduate who also didn't know how to answer the question so said "well, I'm hoping for £100,000 but will be very happy to start somewhere below that and work up " they got the job!
Good luck

[williaminajetfighter]

They say you are doing well if your age is same as your salary. So if you're 33 years old ask for 33k. Can't hurt.