Topic: It's too early to talk about salary

This is a question that I hear pretty regularly. If this is on your mind, I think you have your priorities out of place.

Before you speak with a potential employer, research the position and speak with insiders who have knowledge. Check the appropriate research sites like [url=http://www.bls.gov]www.bls.gov[/url] or your state department of labor statistics. Search for the term OES - that's Occupational Employment Statistics and Wages. You should be able to find a link that displays for your geographic area. This information will show how many are working in that occupational title and what the entry, experienced and mean compensation levels are. Remember that these numbers are averages and may not reflect the exact amount that a specific employrer may pay. This information should give you enough information to know your approximate worth. You have to determine - within those figures - what  your labor market value is.

During the early interviews focus on your ability to meet the employer's needs. Discussing pay, benefits, vacation days, etc. shows that you are focused on meeting your needs and not your future employer's. Any time the interviewer mentions money put the questions back on them - I'm sure you'll offer a fair wage. What do you typically pay someone with my education and experience? etc. If the interviewer doesn't respond with a number, you'll know that  it's still too early in the process. If they do come up with a concrete figure, you'll know, at least approximately where they'll start from. Money talk usually comes at some point during or after the second interview.

The key - don't talk about money untli the employer mentions a specific dollar figure.

Re: It's too early to talk about salary

This is generally good advice, but I would add that knowing your own income needs is still a critical piece of the puzzle.  Once your income range is determined, I think it's fine to research the hell out of what jobs like the one you're interested in are likely to pay.  But none of that matters until an actual salary offer is made BECAUSE you cannot say, "Well, according to my research, jobs like this one should pay in the $X to $Y range!"  The job is worth whatever the employer says it's worth.  None of the rest ultimately matters.  If the job offer is greater than the amount of income you need to make ends meet, accept the offer, particularly if you're not working.  On the other hand, if you are working, there's nothing wrong with asking if is negotiable if you feel the salary offer is low, not just in terms of your income needs, but also in terms of how well your qualifications for the job match the requirements of the job.  This is were negotiating comes in, assuming the employer's offer is negotiable.  Make sense?

Re: It's too early to talk about salary

[quote="daisy":3k613wlb]This is a question that I hear pretty regularly. If this is on your mind, I think you have your priorities out of place.

Before you speak with a potential employer, research the position and speak with insiders who have knowledge. Check the appropriate research sites like [url=http://www.bls.gov]www.bls.gov[/url] or your state department of labor statistics. Search for the term OES - that's Occupational Employment Statistics and Wages. You should be able to find a link that displays for your geographic area. This information will show how many are working in that occupational title and what the entry, experienced and mean compensation levels are. Remember that these numbers are averages and may not reflect the exact amount that a specific employrer may pay. This information should give you enough information to know your approximate worth. You have to determine - within those figures - what  your labor market value is.

During the early interviews focus on your ability to meet the employer's needs. Discussing pay, benefits, vacation days, etc. shows that you are focused on meeting your needs and not your future employer's. Any time the interviewer mentions money put the questions back on them - I'm sure you'll offer a fair wage. What do you typically pay someone with my education and experience? etc. If the interviewer doesn't respond with a number, you'll know that  it's still too early in the process. If they do come up with a concrete figure, you'll know, at least approximately where they'll start from. Money talk usually comes at some point during or after the second interview.

The key - don't talk about money untli the employer mentions a specific dollar figure.[/quote:3k613wlb]
i agree with you on that note..and thanks for the tips on this..very helpful