When to Bring Up Salary in an Interview

When to Bring Up Salary in an InterviewWhen to Bring Up Salary in an InterviewDont ruin your perfect first date with a potential employer by talking compensation too quickly.Job bewerbungsgesprchs, like dating, have a lot to do with timing. In my many years as a recruiter, Ive heard the following story countless times from my associates They had sent the perfect person (excellent skill set, right presentation) to an employer for an interview. The candidate could feel it welches going well. The job was nearly his. Then the candidate got a bit too confident and blew the deal by popping the big question What will you be paying me? or What kind of raises can I expect in this job?While these questions are important and clearly must be broached before a job is accepted, the timing was off. And timing is everything.Needless to say, one inappropriate question about salary can ruin your chances. Sadly, it is usually impossible to turn that around. The salary discussion has a time and place. J ust like in the case of that good-night kiss, its generally at the end of the date. In job-search terms, this discussion is best saved for the end of the interview process.You would never meet someone for the first time and immediately lean in for a kiss.In the saatkorn way, the salary discussion is much more appropriate once the company has fallen in love with you.In otzu sich words, a conversation about salary is bedrngnis suitable until there is a sense of commitment on the employer side. In fact, once the employer has decided you are the one, the salary discussion works to your benefit. This generally doesnt happen at the first meeting. Maybe not the second. There is inevitably an end to the interview process. That is the moment.Deflect in the early stagesDuring the first interview, the employer is getting to know you. She is deciding if you have the skills will fit into the culture and (usually) whether you will make her look good. The first meeting is all about you selling you r skills in relation to the job listings. No matter how well you are getting along, dont lean in for the kiss this is still not the time to discuss money, regardless of how well youre getting along.Believe me, even in this first meeting, the money question will come up.When it does - deflect.Of course the offer is important to you, but your answer should initially let the employer know that you are seeking a position that includes X, Y and Z. You trust they will make a fair offer. If pressed, you might have to tell the hiring authority what your current compensation is (its probably on the application anyway), but do some fancy verbal footwork to indicate that you are looking for the right position with the right kind of company. Do not actually answer the salary question right now. Again, just let them know that your priority is finding the right job. There will be plenty of time to discuss dollars down the road.Even if the manager tries to get you to commit to a number, you are p laying a guessing game at this point. Whatever you say can be wrong - either too high or (perhaps even worse) too low.One of the benefits of working with a recruiter is that he does all the dirty work in this area. Most likely, he would not have sent you in for a job where it didnt look like the salary could be worked out. I normally advise my candidates to refer the employer to me (the recruiter) to move this discussion forward. I can be the bad guy, even asking for more money than the employer had intended to pay because, for example, they will need to match another offer. This way, the candidate gets to keep her hands clean and can spend all the time selling why they are right for the job. I can make sure all sides are happy in the end.Now that youve gotten the timing down, how to negotiate is always tricky. It is the companys place to put an offer on the table. So, when you are asked what you are looking for, I recommend throwing the question back What do you have in mind?Prese nt your caseHopefully this will give you a good starting point. If the number sounds good, then go from there. If the number is low, then its time to present your case. This is when you bring in other offers, what your current situation is (pending raise, possible promotion, great vacation plan). Since youve waited till the company has mentally committed to wanting you, there is a strong possibility they will take your information under consideration and up the offer.You might have to meet them halfway, but you will be considering the whole package, the potential and the company. If it still doesnt feel right, there is often something else that can be added to sweeten the pot. This might be a sign-on bonus, extra vacation, a work- from-home day or a review at six months instead of a year. Remember, theres a fine line between being too demanding and feeling like you are walking into a good situation.All in all, the interview process has two distinct parts the one where you display yo ur talents and the final part where you talk money. You are looking for a great position, then a solid offer. Approaching the parts of the interview out of turn could be the kiss of death.