primitive discusses discussing with potential bosses how much he should be paid

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1119390

DaveJ (4,899 posts)    Tue Mar 19, 2013, 12:40 PM

How do you answer how much you expect to get paid in a interview?

It seems like there was a time when an employer told you how much a job paid, and you negotiated from there. But today most jobs do not even tell you how much they pay, they ask you, then it feels like a game of chance when you try to give the right answer.
 
I have a couple theories, but I was wondering what most employers really expect....
 
Do they expect:

1) for you to give them the right answer that they wanted you to say.
2) for you to tell them the industry standard.
3) for you to say how much you think you're worth.
4) for you to tell them how much you need to pay the bills.
5) for you to tell them how much you need to pay the bills and retire in x number of years.
 
My theory is that number 5 is the "best" answer. If someone wants $40k/year to retire and plans to retire in 20 years, one must put away about 20k/year for 20 years. And if one's living expenses are say $40k, then one would say they need $60k. If you take into account raises over time maybe $50k. That seems reasonable to me.
 
I'd say 2 is the worst option because it seems pretentious. Number 3 is the second worst option because it depends on the company. I think 1 or 4 are the most likely to be the reality.
 
These are my guesses, though, Just wondering what employers really expect.

Whoa.  This primitive has no idea, no idea at all.  Number five is the worst option, although number four's hardly any better. 

Scuba (25,388 posts)    Tue Mar 19, 2013, 12:45 PM

1. They don't care what it takes you to pay your bills. You may have run up a bunch of bad debt ....

... I would advocate for a response along the lines of "the market rate; the range for this position is between X and Y. I believe I belong on the high end of that range because ...".

DaveJ (4,899 posts)    Tue Mar 19, 2013, 01:19 PM

2. Actually, I'm asking on behalf of someone else.

Lucky guy is getting laid off and will probably get a better job as a consequence in addition to severance. I'm not sure what my reward is for being a good worker.....
 
I have been asked before how much I need to pay my bills at an interview, but you might be right. Just wondering what is in the minds of employers when they ask. "Market rate" seems kind of obvious. Why would they ask if they wanted to just pay market rate?

liberal N proud (43,051 posts)    Tue Mar 19, 2013, 04:31 PM

3. You want to respond without giving an actual number yet sounds like you are eager for the position

In the initial interview it answers the question without eliminating you from the process. Later in the process, you can begin your salary negotiations.

DaveJ (4,899 posts)    Thu Mar 21, 2013, 08:42 PM

4. Ok, thanks.

I guess it's just a matter of being honest about what you need. But what if they planned on paying more? It's really a weird system they have going on, IMO. Just a guessing game.

[Freeper]

Just tell them you need enough to buy pot and Cheetos all month long, and they will be happy to hire you.

[FlaGator]

I tell them what I expect to be paid.

Now that wasn't so hard was it?

[Celtic Rose]

Companies don't give salaries based on what you "need," they set them based on how valuable they consider the position. 

[J P Sousa]

I have a couple theories, but I was wondering what most employers really expect....
   

The mind of a DUmmie. 
.

[DumbAss Tanker]

Companies don't give salaries based on what you "need," they set them based on how valuable they consider the position. 

Yeah...plus or minus whatever your own resume or CV says about your own relative value as opposed to the qualifications an 'Average' applicant would have for that position, of course.

[Gern]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1119390

Do they expect:

1) for you to give them the right answer that they wanted you to say.
2) for you to tell them the industry standard.
3) for you to say how much you think you're worth.
4) for you to tell them how much you need to pay the bills.
5) for you to tell them how much you need to pay the bills and retire in x number of years.
 
My theory is that number 5 is the "best" answer. If someone wants $40k/year to retire and plans to retire in 20 years, one must put away about 20k/year for 20 years. And if one's living expenses are say $40k, then one would say they need $60k. If you take into account raises over time maybe $50k. That seems reasonable to me.
 

Good Lord!  

Being an employer, here's an answer for you, shithead.  How about you stop trying to pick an arbitrary false answer, the one you think I want to hear, and just answer with the truth.  The question is pretty simple.  "How much are you looking to be paid?"

I'll ask it at the end of the interview.  You should consider yourself lucky.  If you didn't qualify, I wouldn't bother asking.  Answer truthfully, with consideration to what the market usually dictates for your particular position, your experience, etc.  I guess if you're a DUer you might be so stupid as to demand your idea of a "living wage" for, say, an unskilled position like a delivery driver, something ridiculous like what this turnip is suggesting, $60K a year, in which case I will privately laugh about you behind your back when you leave, and never call you back.

I can't even conceive of someone so stupid as to answer with number 5.  

I haven't even hired you, and you're planning your retirement?  How about you worry about your performance here and now, and stop looking forward to retirement?

[USA4ME]

Someone needs to inform the DaveJ primitive that bagboys at the grocery store start at $7.25/hr.

.

[Karin]

Good Lord!  is right.

I haven't even hired you, and you're planning your retirement?  How about you worry about your performance here and now, and stop looking forward to retirement?

Exactly.  What a dumbass.  How come we all knew instinctively, what the correct line of reasoning was, but the DUmmies have to ponder, theorize, and debate it?  And come up with the wrong answer? Jeez. 

[Gern]

Someone needs to inform the DaveJ primitive that bagboys at the grocery store start at $7.25/hr.

.

 

[Dori]

Hey DUmmy, do you know how many recent college grads there are out there looking for work?   

I think you should ask for $75k minimum....oh, plus paid healthcare and a generous 401K.

[DumbAss Tanker]

Hey DUmmy, do you know how many recent college grads there are out there looking for work?   

I think you should ask for $75k minimum....oh, plus paid healthcare and a generous 401K.

And the golden parachute severance package, of course...