Before the interview, I saw the salary range. Should I ask for more? It is10k less than I was expecting?

Question

I know that there is a difference from all of the research that I have done. For the area and the title it is below what it should be by 10k.

Answer 1

The salary range is just a guideline. This is usually based on past employees and past employee experience. If you have MORE experience than past employees, you might see a bump in salary. BUT....never go into an interview with MONEY as the priority. Find out if YOU and the JOB will be a good fit. That's what the employer is doing.

After the employer offers you the job and tells you the salary, think about it for a second before you accept. I've been in interviews where they offered me one salary....and I said sorry, I was making THIS before and I really can't go too much lower....and I got what I wanted. I even got a call at home AFTER an interview with a better offer. It doesn't hurt to negotiate a LITTLE bit....don't make it a game of High/Low. Chances are if you nudge a lil bit....they'll be paying you what you want.

Personal experience: The job I have now....when I interviewed the boss could tell I had all my ducks in a row and gave me an offer. I told him it was lower than what I needed.....then he bumped his offer three bucks and hour! I found out later what I started at was what guys at my job were getting after a year and a half! During my probation period, they watched me like a hawk to see if I was BSing them or not. Well..I've been there a year and recieved the raises I WOULD have had if I had the extra year of service.

So....don't be afraid to ask and toot your horn....if you HAVE the experience....get the cash!

Answer 2

First of all, ask what other forms of compensation are available...overtime, year end bonus, performance bonus, etc. Be honest with the person who is interviewing you and tell them that the salary range was lower than what you expected. How does the salary they offer compare with similar positions across the region? Leave it at that if there is a chance for a second interview. Afterwards, research similar positions and salaries, don't forget to factor in cost of living index...if you are comparing salaries in California to salaries in Kansas, you should adjust for a cost of living difference. If they are still interested in you and you don't have any other prospects, I would ask if the salary is negotiable. If not, and you are not satisfied working for them making 10k less, then look elsewhere. If you like the company and you can handle the smaller salary, then go for it... there is a lot more to a job than just money.

Answer 3

interviews are negotiations. you have every right to ask for what you want. if you're worth it they'll give it to you. if you're not they won't. There is a website (salary.com) that allows you to check salaries for particular areas. Check it out then you can see if they are paying what the job is worth for that area. Remember, a job in New York city will pay more than the same job in Buffalo. Make sure you're asking for the right amount. Florida doesn't have a state tax and Massachusettes has a huge one, be sure to take circumstances like that into consideration if you've recently moved. You could make less but if your cost of living is lower you will be in the same boat as before. Good luck with the interview

Answer 4

Hmmm. You're kind of in a bind here. You've already agreed to the interview, so you may as well go. However, it's tacky to the nth power to bring up salary immediately. See what the job is about, then sell your skills that would make you more valuable than the range that was posted. If it's a government job, there's not much you can do, but if this is a private sector job, it's possible that the range is negotiable.

Answer 5

It's not so much that you should ask for more. If you are experienced and worth more or the job entails a lot more work than the salary they are willing to provide, then it may be in your best interests to be frank with them.

If they like you when they go to hire you just politely ask to negotiate the salary. If helps if you use a salary calculator tool online. Put in the job title and your city and state and it gives you an average of what someone else in that job gets paid.

Don't let them shortchange you if you deserve it. Now if you just expected more money for the hell of it, then their salary could be correct and you are out of luck on them budging.

Answer 6

Assuming you are more than qualified for the position, go in with a base minimum figure that you want. If they offer less, ask if their figure is negotiable. If it is, then it's up to you to sell them on why you should get more. If it's not, be prepared to walk. Good luck.