Begging, "big-noting" or negotiation?

I would be interested to hear from others how you manage discussion with potential employers about salary.

I have over the last 12 months been offered interviews for a number of positions of interest to me. Most employers don't put the salary rangeup front. Some of the jobs, whilst interesting in themselves, I suspectoffer a salary far below that I am getting now.

I've used various techniques to raise this with employers and have had a variety of reactions. Some feel I'm too "big for my own britches", others take on a pitying tone as if having to discuss salary makes me a desperate charity case, and others have been pleasantly forthright.

Most recently, I have used a tack along the lines of "This position is one that really interests me. The nature of the work is a good fit with my values, knowledge and experience. However, I don't want to waste your time with an interview if the salary and benefits are not viable. Can you give me an idea of the salary range being considered?"

Again, I've had a range of responses - mostly accepting, but some apparently disapproving. I believe that employers should be prepared to have this kind of discussion at an early stage as a mark of respect for applicants.

What are other people's thoughts on this?

PROGRESS ENTERPRISE

http://www.progressenterprise.com

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Career Diagnostics
http://www.careerdiagnostics.com

I think that most of the companies that recruit through consultants give some salary range before hand. The consultant informs the candidates of the salary range and then he arranges for the interview..

In case it is through the news paper advertisement, the initial people talking to the prospective employees are much lower in the hirarchy level and may not have the information / authority to decide / inform the salary levels.

Specially in the companies, where the salaries are kept confidential and there is no fixed salary ranges, this problem might turn up.

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Ajmal Mirza
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http://www.valuebasedmanagement.net/

Do book mark the above link ..... Most of your questions will be answered even before you ask....

Hello:

I must admit..I've been doing the hiring as opposed to being hired, but I always remember one thing--take the interview. Outside the box thinking may move you into a position you haven't even considered, based on the interview results.

It was more than once in my corporate career (before I became much wiser!) that I was interviewed for "X" position...and ended up being hired for "2X" because the interview resulted in a better offer.

If you don't take the interview, you don't know what the opportunity might be.

Alan Guinn, Managing Director
The Guinn Consultancy Group, Inc.

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