When interviewing, is this a prudent move?

Question

I had an interview with a great company earlier this week. They are in a different city about 120 miles away from where I currently live, so if things come to fruition, there are lots of things to consider. I took a day off eariler this week to go, and they now want me to come back early next week, taking another day off. I work in a very small office and this could raise red flags, but I am interested in the position, if the money is right.

I know in normal interview process, it's not appropreiate to ask about salary until they bring it up, but given the sitation, I really want to ask because if they can't match what I'm asking for, I don't want to stress out about leaving work again and don't want to waste anyone's time.

Would this be appropreiate?

Just to be clear, this is a full time, professional position in a major corporation. I graduated college and have been working for 11 years, so this isn't something part time or some sort of hourly position. I gave them my range, but it's somewhat broad due to bonuses, etc....the job is in a smaller market, which I know somewhat dictates living costs. If they're thinking of offering me in at the lower end, I don't know. I want to be able to make enough so that if we do move, my wife doesn't need to worry about working as much.

Answer 1

Yes, you should ask for a ballpark salary figure with the stipulation that you'd be happy to negotiate later. If it's ridiculously low, then you'd be glad you'd asked.

Answer 2

I think most answers missed the point that u r concerned w/ the salary issue BEFORE your next interview, not as something to work in after or at the end of it. This means doing it via phone.
There are two questions I am curioius about and that impact this. Both mentioned by other posts.
A) Do they know ur current salary? I assume they do, it is a part of all pre-screening and resume processes that I know of.
If so, we can be confident that the new job is within reach of what u already make, but...
B) Do they know u live and are employed 120 miles away?
There again, this is part of all good pre-screening and resume processes, so they must.
Guessing that the two above are yes answers and depending on who you are making your interview appointments with, it is probably safe to bring up that it is the holidays and a small office and that while u r VERY excited about the potential opportunity, respect for your current employers demands a little information.
This is all if the person u r talking to is in a position to have that information.
The reason most companies refrain from it's mention, is that in a lot of situations, salary is dependant on experience ... and a pregiven pay situation is a form of verbal contract, which is binding in many states.
Good luck. I would go w/ the "I need to respect my current employers situation and since it is a holiday season ... I need to confirm a general salary area of at least in the neighborhood of my current one, before I take another day off so quickly."
This will be respected, they will most likely say, we like the way this person thinks of the companys needs.

Answer 3

It is not the asking, it is the phrasing that leads to problems.

I am at the point in my career where I bring it up at the phone interview stage.

One last question, what is the pay range for this position? Then know that the low end is where they will hire (companies rarely ever hire someone in at the top end.)

At this point, I would just come out and say it. Thank you so much for considering me, the opportunity and company really excites me. But in all fairness, I don't want to waste your time if the salary is not where I need it to be. So, if you don't mind my asking, what is the salary range of this position?

Odds are they already know what they need to offer you the job (I am assuming you filled out an application and put your starting/current salary on it).

If this makes HR get b*tchy, know that things only get worse after you are hired.

Good luck on the opportunity, I hope it all works out for you.

Answer 4

I think it's a fantastic idea to ask what the wages are in the interview. If the wages are going to be determined with experience then I would tell them what you are making now and ask if they could at least match what that is. There is no sense in wasting their time and your time if your not going to be happy with the salary that is offered.

As for them wanting you to come back in the same week. I would give them a call and explain that you are still currently employed and that you don't want your current employer to know know that you are job hunting. They should respect that and understand that you can't make it in. Maybe they would be willing to either stay a little later or come in early to interview further with you ? Put it this way. If the company you interview with wants you bad enough, they will bend over backwards to make things work i the beginning. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Well, most companies always ask for 2 to 3 interviews as the status of the job you are applying for becomes higher up the ladder. You should have a general estimate of the salary that the job is offereing if not I would recommend asking at the end of the interview pending how the second interview goes. If the new company does offer a better pay, I would discuss it with your current employer and see if they will match their pay. If it is the job itself then go for the job that you will enjoy more.

Answer 6

Normally an explanation as to why it is important to know the salary being offered before you ask is good ettiquette.
I would just shoot and email or call the person and say... Excuse me for asking but I was wondering what the salary being offered was because since I don't live in the vicinity, I dont want to waste your time interviewing me again if its not something that we would be able to come to terms on.
Explain that you are very interested in teh position but you also have financial obligations that you have to consider as well.
Im sure they will understand.
Let me know how it goes.

Answer 7

I think it's absolutely appropriate. I would call and ask if you can chat, over the phone, about the salary range. Explain that the location would require major changes and you don't want to waste anyone's time if the salary doesn't meet your family's needs.

Any interviewer or recruiter should be more than willing to discuss a range (probably not a set salary until you finish interviewing). If they aren't willing to at least talk about it, I would be concerned about what the company is going to offer.

Good luck!

Answer 8

I think it is absolutely appropriate to ask what the salary range is for the position. Many times the employer is happy to share this information so neither of you are wasting the other's time. I would definitely ask in a professional way.

Answer 9

of course you are supposed to ask about salary. Do you really think it is bad to ask. Why go through the process when at the end they might offer minimum wage?

a good way to bring it up is to ask your future boss "If everything works out in my hiring process, does the company offer any moving assistance?" that will get the subject of numbers to come out, and flow on to salary from there

Answer 10

Why not? it's why we go to work. I ask that before I go for first interview. Asking a few simple basic questions on the phone saves everyone a lot of time that could be used more profitably. Employers sometimes refuse to give out such details immediately as the competition can use their offers as a base but after first interview it's important to know.

Answer 11

Do they already know what you are making? If they already know, then I don't think they would keep calling you back if they were going to offer less money. You can bring it up with either the HR contact or say something like look, I don't want to waste anyone's time, mine or yours. Are we looking at a salary range thats in line with blah, blah, blah? If they say yes, we are, then go for it. If not just decline the second interview.

I had to do that and they were like ohhhhhhhhh, we didn't want to pay in that range, so I said, well, I'm worth it and if you have anything come up in the future, give me a call.