Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i was the asker of this question in a recent hiring process. believe me, i was as uncomfortable as the candidates were. i don't think most places will take a non-answer anymore. it's too much of a waste of time if the numbers aren't remotely close to each other.

i suggest giving the qualifying "it depends on the entire package" line then giving a range. shoot high, then if they balk, if you want to keep their interest then make sure you say you are flexible. but if they balk and you realize you really don't want to make less than your stated amount, then say thank you and move on.

you don't want to waste your time at a place that can't afford you either. know what your numbers are.

also, don't say what you're currently making. say what you want to make.

Not a lawyer but in a competitive field and when I was job hunting several years ago I was frequently asked this question and always responded with what I wanted to earn (which, at the time, was that I wanted equal to or more than I had been earning five years earlier in the same position...I took time off when we moved overseas for husband's job). I had a hard time finding this salary in my field in the time following the economic crisis of 2008 so I actually ended up switching fields and now I make double my old salary!

Good for you! What were your old and new fields? Thanks.

Anonymous wrote:i was the asker of this question in a recent hiring process. believe me, i was as uncomfortable as the candidates were. i don't think most places will take a non-answer anymore. it's too much of a waste of time if the numbers aren't remotely close to each other.

i suggest giving the qualifying "it depends on the entire package" line then giving a range. shoot high, then if they balk, if you want to keep their interest then make sure you say you are flexible. but if they balk and you realize you really don't want to make less than your stated amount, then say thank you and move on.

you don't want to waste your time at a place that can't afford you either. know what your numbers are.

also, don't say what you're currently making. say what you want to make.

Not a lawyer but in a competitive field and when I was job hunting several years ago I was frequently asked this question and always responded with what I wanted to earn (which, at the time, was that I wanted equal to or more than I had been earning five years earlier in the same position...I took time off when we moved overseas for husband's job). I had a hard time finding this salary in my field in the time following the economic crisis of 2008 so I actually ended up switching fields and now I make double my old salary!

i was the asker of this question in a recent hiring process. believe me, i was as uncomfortable as the candidates were. i don't think most places will take a non-answer anymore. it's too much of a waste of time if the numbers aren't remotely close to each other.

i suggest giving the qualifying "it depends on the entire package" line then giving a range. shoot high, then if they balk, if you want to keep their interest then make sure you say you are flexible. but if they balk and you realize you really don't want to make less than your stated amount, then say thank you and move on.

you don't want to waste your time at a place that can't afford you either. know what your numbers are.

also, don't say what you're currently making. say what you want to make.

I would say:

I want to be shitting money.

Just research the job on glassdoor or salary.com and ask for 5% more

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would typically answer that salary is only one part of the total benefit package, and that I'd expect the comprehensive package to be competitive with what someone of my experience & skill, etc., should get, so depending on what the other benefits are salary could vary, but without knowing the entire package not going to discuss salary as an isolated variable.

If they want you, they'll get there ...

awesome. I have an interview tomorrow and i'm going to use this.

I've been having issues with that question coming up early as well.

PP with the interview. Used your advice/answer and it worked very smoothly. Thanks.

Anonymous wrote:I would typically answer that salary is only one part of the total benefit package, and that I'd expect the comprehensive package to be competitive with what someone of my experience & skill, etc., should get, so depending on what the other benefits are salary could vary, but without knowing the entire package not going to discuss salary as an isolated variable.

If they want you, they'll get there ...

awesome. I have an interview tomorrow and i'm going to use this.

I've been having issues with that question coming up early as well.

I generally give a range, and avoid telling them what I make now (which is non-profit salary). Obviously if I go to the private sector, I want more.

I would typically answer that salary is only one part of the total benefit package, and that I'd expect the comprehensive package to be competitive with what someone of my experience & skill, etc., should get, so depending on what the other benefits are salary could vary, but without knowing the entire package not going to discuss salary as an isolated variable.

If they want you, they'll get there ...

any suggestions for how to answer the dreaded "what is your salary expectation" question? I'm a lawyer at big firm (which pays under market) looking to go in-house at a big company, if it helps. I will not take a pay cut.

Thanks!