Salary expectations
 

You're talking with a company about changing jobs and joining them in a different role than which you're in. You have little idea of the workload, pay scale, or advancement opportunities. The company gives amazing benefits.

Recruiter asks about your "salary expectations". What do you tell them?

I tell them exactly what I want to make, however I get called a few times a week by recruiters and I got kinda tired of the low-ball offers. After all I was looking for job when I found this one.

'After all I was looking for job when I found this one'
I still remember Gary the mechanic using that line after he was fired from the Chevron station I was employed. I was lead gas pumper at the time.
Jim

It was a company motto when I was working for IBM.

Commensured to the benefits...

Tell them what you want to make. Pretty simple, right?

Well if you're willing to work in exchange for amazing benefits...otherwise you're entitled to answers on all of those points.

well, I was once advised to always try to be the last one to throw a number out. The same place advised that you can say that you want to be payed a rate that goes along with the responsibilities.

I've never found that to work. I'd think that it's probably best to ask for a little more than you actually want, but I always have a hard time not answering the question truthfully with what I actually do want.

The only time I've ever said what I wanted to make I said "Well, I'm making $7.40 an hour now, and I'd like to do better than that."

Since then I've always been better off with what they've offered than what I would have asked for.

In just about any negotiation, it's best to try to get the other side to put the first number on the table, if possible.

ask em what your earning potential would be = what other people in the position are earning - face it - you are not interested in working there because you got bored at the golf club.

Since I've been in commissioned sales for a while, I always ask what the REALISTIC first year earnings are. Not once have I ever made close to that much in the first year, though I've usually gotten there a year or two later. If it's straight salary, it should be much easier to nail them down on a number.

You are better off doing some research on what the high and low pays are in that industry,... and then respond "I would expect to be compensated along the lines of the industry standards"and then say "of course, I am always interested in performing at at top level, as my resume shows that I always have, therefore one of my career goals is to always increase my earnings according..."

....but dont tell them how much you made in your prior job, nor throw out any concrete numbers... it is really not their business, but it is the recruiters' way of trying to 'weed you out'.

If you give them a number first, that will set the maximum they will offer. If they give you a number first, that is the minimum they expect to pay.

If it is a recruiter, ask him for the client's pay range and decide if you want to play. If he is unable to give you this information, tell him to move along as there is nothing to see here since he has nothing to show.

It is best to do some research to find out wage ranges for the job you are looking at. Try this for a start: http://salary.monster.com/

Be Honest;
Tell them what you told us, then inform them that you are willing to take the position with a 3 month salary review.

One job I took $2000/month to start and turned it into $8000 in 3 months. It was a Branch Managers position with a multi-branch, multi-million dollar development company and I desperately wanted the experience before I became their competition ;) ; I got the job because I was willing to take it at 'cost' and prove my worth. The owners couldn't believe it.

I had another position that I took at $0/month for six months!!! The following year I earned over $16,000/month and following that it went to $35,000/month. That's right a MONTH! (I could see the huge benefit of profits and just wanted in the door)

I'm a firm believer in getting the door of opportunity open..... then get in there and show everyone how to make some money! Put up or shut up as they say.

Not sure this will help you out, but my two cents?

Dominion Construction Group, which is part of the Bental Group in Vancouver offered me a Vice-Presidents position in Calgary with $8,000/mo salary, bonuses and benefits. I agreed to apply and forego a series of interviews. After 6 interviews with all kinds of owners/manager groups, they offered me the job.

They said they'd like to make the $8000/mo a target salary and start me at $6800/mo. All during the interview process the carrot was $8000 and at the last minute they offered me a lower figure. I immediately said, "No, this is not the type of company I would want to work with." Walked out and never looked back. They imported a guy from Vancouver (to Calgary) and within 1 year most of the guys that interviewed me and the new VP were all gone! Fired.

Remember the saying from that hair commercial (makeup?)...... because you're worth it!

Good Luck buddy

When I was negotiating my current job that exact question came up.
I told him, "money is not my sole motivator. I don't need the money to survive, but anything less than what my experience is worth would be unsatisfactory. I fully expect to save this company a great deal more than I cost. "

You could substitute "make' for "save".

They countered with a much higher number than I expected.
Oh, one more thing. Insist on a severance package in case they lay you off or eliminate the position.
They said they have no plans to ever eliminate this position, and I said "so what's the risk? If you never eliminate the position then this severance package isn't worth the paper it's written on".
They agreed to 6 months pay after one year of service.
About 14 months later they the sold the plant to a different company and all the employees were laid off and went to work for the new company. Boy were they pissed when I came a'calling for my money. Work 14 months to get paid for 20, not bad ;)

Simply ask what the salary range is for the prospective position. Then you can get into more detail and fire back with what you think is realistic.

I would simply say "yes", I do expect one, and if you don't pay me, I will not show up :). Actually, I've always maintained that I was "negotiable" (to the recruiter types), but once the position is "secured", and the offer has been extended, it's usually been "OK by me". IMO, don't eliminate yourself "early in the game" by a "number"...if they really want you, they will pay you what you're worth (or more) :)!

ps: One can always decline their first offer...I have.

Very nice Sammy! ;)

You never say what you want, just politely turn it back on their HR/Recruiter, and find out what they are expecting: "What is your salary expectation?", "Well I am very excited about this position, I know I can make a difference to your organization, and the money is not my key motivator, what range are you offering?"

I know it's trite, but put your own spin on it to find out what they are looking at.

I have been trying to recruit for a couple of months and there's not enough good talent out there so I try to poach; but the best individuals want 20% more than what they are currently making to "jump ship"

Good luck.