interview question
interview question
(OP)
So yesterday I had interview, everything went well and I was very pleased with the opportunities. I'm still a young engineer, I've been with my company just over 2.5 years but its time to move on. This new job will be my 2nd job out of college so I feel I have some room to haggle. Just as I was being walked out, following the interview, the HR rep had asked me what my current salary was. I felt as though I was being put on the spot and wasn't totally comfortable revealing this info. At this point I gave the information accurately to what I make.
My question is, at this point I'm wondering how to approach this question by not selling myself short of what I could be getting paid. Do I say what I would like to get paid? Or is there an answer to somewhat avoid the topic to discuss at a later date?
My question is, at this point I'm wondering how to approach this question by not selling myself short of what I could be getting paid. Do I say what I would like to get paid? Or is there an answer to somewhat avoid the topic to discuss at a later date?





RE: interview question
You have the job and they are the one looking for help. You are in position of strength, use it. This is the way to do it.
Good luck with your search!
Rafiq Bulsara
http://www.srengineersct.com
RE: interview question
In the geographic region that I work, there are many places that employ engineers..... however it is a very small community - if you know what I mean. It doesn't take much to get a bad rap (and possibly blackballed) that will hurt you in the long run a whole lot more than making a few-thousand dollars less per year on your next salary.
RE: interview question
RE: interview question
He was simply trying to determine if their budget was sufficient to make you an offer.
Or not.
Or if he'd have to go back to the hiring manager and tell him he wa-a-a-y underbudgeted for this new hire.
Or go to the hiring manager for a good laugh at how cheap you are and how they could get you for a song.
TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering
www.bluetechnik.com
RE: interview question
RE: interview question
Ideally your new salary is based on your value to the employer making the offer, not your previous employer. In practice however it's much grayer than that. You don't know if they will alter a potential offer based on your answer.
This has always seemed like a personal question that is rude to ask. If they ask you what you are making would it be rude to counter with "I'll tell you if you tell me the range of what you are willing to pay"?
RE: interview question
If they pay you at productive "value", they lose money. If they pay you at non-productive value, hopefully you would leave. The reality is a compromise, for which you are paid $10 per hour consistently, productive or not.
RE: interview question
That's why I said "ideally". Also, my post was in the context of a corporation where the engineer is overhead and not billable.
If an engineer's value to a company is worth a salary of $60,000 then what difference does it make if the potential candidate made $50,000 at his/her previous position? At that previous position maybe the nature of the work made him worth a little less to that particular company.
Each employment situation is unique but many HR people just assume that if you made X at your last job then you'll accept X + a little more, regardless of the nature of the position.
RE: interview question
If they like you and want to make an offer, they don't want to embarrass themselves or offend you with a too low offer. Let's say an interviewee makes $60k now, and is looking to move up. The prospective new employer likes the candidate and wants to hire, but offers $55k because that is what they can afford. At that point a schism has been created that would be tricky to bridge.
The flip is also true. No business owner wants to offer that same candidate $80k when $70 would have been enough.
Another thing I have considered when evaluating applications/interviewees is are they being realistic? If they are being paid a near entry level salary at the current job after 2-3 years there, why is that. Red flag raised.
www.ellisconsultingengineers.com
RE: interview question
Current job when contacted by the recruiter, I was told a salary they were offering. I said that is less than my last full-time job and WAY less than I on my current contract job. Went through the interviews and all and the offer was slightly more than my last full-time salary. Full-time does have other benefits that the hourly rate does not include.
"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."
Ben Loosli
RE: interview question
Perhaps that is why they are looking to move elsewhere? I find it unsettling that the actions of a company (no raises) is looked upon as a flaw for the candidate. Perhaps I am putting more negative conotation on the "red flag" than you intended though.
I generally answer salary questions with a ballpark instead of a firm number, and explain that I will look at any offer in terms of the whole package, with insurance, 401k, vacation time, flex time, ect. I try to avoid a "you need to beat this number," mentality.
--MechEng2005
RE: interview question
Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com
RE: interview question
I think that depends on how the question is asked and answered. If you indicate that there are other factors in your compensation, then you could easily include the auto allowance. Since the bonus is typically more subject to change, then I would not include it blindly.
When given a chance to verbalize my answer, I usually refer to a "total compensation" number. Also, when discussing upcoming salary with them, it comes down to "total compensation" including benefits, that I have to pay for. What good is $10K when you spend it on a health care premium hike.
RE: interview question
"What was your previous salary?"
"I netted about 85k."
:)
Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com
RE: interview question
The summary of the section of the book was that whoever names the figure first loses. In most cases, there is room for negotiation, but what is not known is the relative budget of either party. No one wants a great new job that pays 40% of their old salary, and no employer wants to have to pay some exorbitant amount to get a new hire when they're only allocated 70% of that figure.
I suspect HPRifleman's summation is accurate, HR just wants to be able to pay whatever your current salary is plus a small amount, regardless of net worth to company and so on.
RE: interview question
The actual cost of me to the employer was close to $25k above base salary. SO yea, the package matters more than the salary number. Especially if you or your spouse are in poor health and that is a covered item.
www.ellisconsultingengineers.com
RE: interview question
You give wize negotiating advise. I know a real estate negotiation expert who uses a training tool to show this very thing.
One side is given the parameters that they desperately need a building. They are to immediately accept any price under $10 million.
The other side urgently needs to sell the building and will accept any offer above $1 million.
Start the negotiation. Whoever gives the first number looses, and most likely both sides will feel that they left money on the table since the first offer will be accepted immediately.
Unfortunately, as engineers, we usually give the first number when feeing projects. What does this say about us?
RE: interview question
RE: interview question
Hg
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RE: interview question