What’s the right time to bring up salary requirements when you’re interviewing? Job-seekers often tell me they feel they may be wasting an employer’s time by going through an interview only to find the salary is much lower than they expect.
This is a common question. Salary issues can be challenging. If you bring up the compensation topic before the employer does, the stage is set for several risk factors — one of which is using your previous salary as a benchmark, which often determines the amount you are offered in the next job. You could be leaving money on the table by disclosing your salary too early in the process.
One way to avoid interviewing for positions that don’t pay enough is to research what the market is paying for the role you are seeking, before you start targeting employers. Networking can help with this. Start with professional associations and trade groups, which often will have information about current compensation rates.
This research will help you avoid low-compensation surprises and help you set realistic compensation expectations. Keep in mind you are being considered and evaluated until a job offer is on the table.
Why give an employer a reason (such as your compensation requirements) to take you out the running when you have not gone through all the interview stages?
There have been countless job-seekers who have jumped the gun with salary conversations only to find the position was an excellent match for their interests, even though the salary was lower than expected. While salary is important, it is not the only factor that should be considered when evaluating a job offer.
Rather than looking at interviewing for possible low-salary jobs as a waste of time, try looking at each interview as an opportunity to explore opportunities and gather facts.
What may seem to be a less-than-perfect job could be the perfect match, and taking the initiative to bring up salary before the employer does so might send mixed messages, as employers are attracted to candidates who want to serve the employer’s needs rather than their own. The appropriate time to discuss salary issues is when an offer is made.
