[jsfg_cinti] Answering the Salary Question

Six Steps to Handling Money Questions
by Therese Droste
Monster Contributing Writer
Everyone wants as much money as an employer is willing to shell out. Yet when 
it comes to job interviewing, salary questions make most people squirm. One 
reason is that such questions pressure you to tip your hand during the 
negotiating game. Winning the salary you want requires some evasive action on 
your 
part. Choose your words carefully, and don't be afraid to redirect a pointed 
question. These tips will help you stay in control of your compensation. 

1. How to Handle Applications or Ads Requesting a Salary History. 



Diane Barowsky, who works in executive recruiting, advises job seekers not to 
include salary requirements. "True, when you leave out the information, you 
run the risk that the employer won't look at you because you've not put a 
salary in there. But you run a greater risk of selling yourself short, because 
you 
don't know what the range is," she says. 

Instead, write that you expect a salary commensurate with your experience and 
the job's demands. You could also write, "negotiable," because, frankly, 
salary is always negotiable. 

2. What Are You Currently Making? 

Answer carefully. State that the new job, while in line with your skills, 
can't compare to your current job. As such, your current salary isn't a good 
judge of what you should earn in this position. "Answer: What I'm making is not 
important," says Barowsky. "What is important is whether or not my skills are 
what you need, and I'm confident the range will be fair." This allows you to 
reveal your self-confidence. 

In addition, this levels the playing field if there are two candidates, says 
Barowsky. If you're currently underpaid, answering such a question directly 
will work against you. "What if you work for a nonprofit, and your pay is lower 
than that of another candidate who has the same skills and experience but has 
a higher pay because he is with a corporation that offers competitive 
salaries?" Barowsky asks. "You could be hired at a much lower figure than the 
other 
person would have received. It's not the past salary that's important, it's the 
skills and experience and what you can do for the organization." 

3. Get the Employer to Say a Number First. 

Every employer has some type of salary range in mind, and they most often can 
play with that range, says Barowsky. "They have information you are not privy 
to. When you don't know what the employer has in mind, you can underbid 
yourself. Employers will jump on that. Later, you'll find out that someone two 
cubicles over from you is making more money for the same work you're doing," 
she 
adds. So find out what the range is before you state any salary requirements. 

If the range is below what you want, state that you expect a range closer to 
XYZ. And make XYZ at least 10 percent to 20 percent higher than what you 
currently make. If you're grossly underpaid in your position, hike it even 
higher. 

4. What If You're Really Pushed to State a Figure? 

State a range that reflects the amount you want to make. And remember: 
Employers will always look at the low end of your range, so make the low end as 
high 
as you are comfortable with. If you make $35,000, state a range of $42,000 to 
$55,000 or so. 

5. Be Prepared. Do Your Research. 

Research what others in the field make. Contact professional organizations 
and get their annual salary surveys. Read professional publications. <A 
HREF="http://networking.monster.com/";>Network</A> and 
look on the Web to find out what others in your field are making. 

6. Show Us Your Pay Stub. 

If an employer wants to contact your old employers to verify your salary, 
think twice about the job. Frankly, do you really want to work with someone who 
will intimidate you? "If they badger you during the interview, a point where 
they're supposed to be wooing and impressing you, think of what it'll be like 
when you go to work there," says Barowsky. 

The bottom line is you not only want good pay, you want respect. And a job 
that provides mutual employer-employee respect is bound to reap rewards. 

document.write( GetBoard("Salary and Negotiation Tips") )Talk about this 
article and get expert advice on the <A 
HREF="http://forums.monster.com/forum.asp?forum=107";>Salary Negotiation message 
board</A>.

  




            
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