It Professionals : How do you answer 'the salary question'

Fr0dders

Fr0dders

Fr0dders

Caporegime
Joined
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West Yorks
You know the one

"what are your salary expectations"

I've been in IT nearly 6 years now, but only with 2 employers. Both of those jobs came with fixed salaries. I've got an interview tomorrow for a job with a varied starting salary, a 6k range in fact and they state in the advert that the salary is negotiable.

I've been in IT 6 years and I'm 30 this year and feel the bottom end of the salary (16k a year) is for new starters into IT. How do I go about arguing my case for the higher end without coming across like I'm all about the money and a douchebag ? I've had interviews with this question before, but seemingly never got the question right
 
If the range is 16-22 ask for 20. If you think you are worth 22 ask for 23 and say you are willing to come down a bit and then ask about benefits. This shows that you value your time and are confident that you are worth a decent salary.
 
If you are skilled in the field & have 6 years experience (if this job is of a similar wage scale as the previous) then I'd expect around the top end (22k at least).
 
Most job adverts in IT seem to ask for way more skills than they require and offer far less than those skills would command.
 
seriously though 6 years experience - go straight for 22k - the reason there is a range is the experience thing. Anyone 5+ years should be in the top 25% of whatever salary range your job exists in
 
How do i phrase it though ?

I don't want to sound like a cocky @&%€ whilst still asserting that considering I earn more than 22k currently I believe I'm worth it. Granted my current salary does include shift allowance for working 4 on 4 off with a mix of days and nights and 12 hour shifts! Hence why im willing to drop to go back to mon / fri 9-5
 
MrLOL said:
How do i phrase it though ?

I don't want to sound like a cocky @&%€ whilst still asserting that considering I earn more than 22k currently I believe I'm worth it. Granted my current salary does include shift allowance for working 4 on 4 off with a mix of days and nights and 12 hour shifts! Hence why im willing to drop to go back to mon / fri 9-5
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I personally wouldn't take a pay cut. I would tell them "I earn £x currently, and to move I'd like a pay rise of at least £x."

It really isn't cocky to ask that - companies won't think you're being outrageous for not wanting to take a pay cut.

If you really would prefer the new hours / position you could say "I currently earn £x, and I'd be willing to stay at that level because I'd really like to work for you"
 
as above - if they ask - tell them honestly that your experience and work ethic is worth £22k. If they want you, they will happily pay for you.

I can't believe in this day and age that people are willing to be shy and quiet about a salary - if you want the job, go and get it and tell them that you want to be paid £22k.

This might sound harsh but £16k @ 30 years old - Jesus that would seriously worry me.

Anytime I've gone for interviews I always made sure that I push the salary to the maximum they would offer. Don't be afraid to negotiate with them as well

Be confident and go for it.
 
and remember once you are in pay rises aren't guaranteed at the moment - so get what ever you can now and you wont regret taking a lower figure later when the company doesnt up the salary if promised
 
I'd politely remind the intervewer / HR person that my expectations are to be paid fairly for my expertise. Then, whatever they offer, say "that's interesting" and go back to them with an extra 30% added (or so).
 
resarch the company
ask the interviewer a lot of questions about the role, prospects and company

when asked the question give some variation on

"This is an exciting opertunity, its a great company and I believe I ahve a lot to offer, I would hope you would be willing to offer me a figure on the upper end of the scale.

Key points

1) you aint jsut taking the job cos you are bored
2) YOU have something to offer them
3) YOU want this job

if they push you for a figure personally I would say something like "I'd be silly to say I would take a lower figure than the maximum you are offering, however I am willing to negotiate since this is an excelent opertunity"
 
Reverse the question back.

"I will always give my employers 100% and feel I have a lot to offer your company. What would you think is a reasonable offer given my experience and dedication?"
 
Just out of itnerest what type of IT work do you do? What's the general "mean" for something of your experience in your location to earn?

Aim for that, perhaps ask for a bit more but make it clear that you are willing to negotiate. If they can't provide all the money you'd like, as said before you can make up the difference when it comes to benefits.
 
booyaka said:
as above - if they ask - tell them honestly that your experience and work ethic is worth £22k. If they want you, they will happily pay for you.

I can't believe in this day and age that people are willing to be shy and quiet about a salary - if you want the job, go and get it and tell them that you want to be paid £22k.

This might sound harsh but £16k @ 30 years old - Jesus that would seriously worry me.

Anytime I've gone for interviews I always made sure that I push the salary to the maximum they would offer. Don't be afraid to negotiate with them as well

Be confident and go for it.
Click to expand...

I'd tried this approach last time, and then was met with a bit of a silence before they moved to quickly wrap the things up and got a loosely worded don't call us well call you type of goodbye. They were polite, but it was obvious id blown it. I didn't want to repeat that mistake and try to understand where I went wrong. I think I came across arrogant and all about the money
 
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