How to Answer the Salary Question

 Chris Wodke

www.summittrainingpublications.com

None of us like discussing money, especially when hunting for a job.  Answering the salary question can be tricky. You don’t want to overprice your self out of a job or ask to little and leave salary on the table.  The salary question is often asked as part of the application process. What should you do?

Answer or Not
Companies are trying to screen candidates based on the budgeted amount for the position.

You may take yourself out of the running if you don’t answer the question. Answer the question, but let them know the salary range is open for you. If the salary is lower than you made in the past, tell the company if you are willing to accept a lower salary and why. There may be good reasons for being open to lower compensation.

Interview

When asked this question, ask what the range is the company has in mind. Then let them know if that is in your range or if it is within the range of your last position. Set a realistic range based on the research you have done. You may have worked on the low end of the range for your occupation. You don’t want to put yourself in that position again.  There are a number of sites for doing salary research. Career Builder has an especially good tool.   HR departments are well aware of the salary range paid in your area. They do not want to over pay for a candidate. Like any business transaction they want to watch out for the financial interests of their organization. It is you job to be aware of your market worth based on current salary ranges and your accomplishments.  The interview will be your chance to demonstrate the experience, qualifications and accomplishments that justify the salary you are seeking.

Negotiations
The factors that will determine your salary offer is the market, the company and your qualifications.  Do not bring your financial situation into the negotiations. Your big mortgage or the length or your unemployment is not the concern of your future company. You should focus on the benefits you will bring to the employer. They will be turned off if you are all about the money and benefits.   Consider all factors when considering an offer. Benefits and other perks of an offer can be positives that balance out a slightly lower salary than you are seeking.  Establish trust and keep the discussion positive.

Copyright 2012 Summit Training Publications

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation