THE SCENARIO
I've just graduated and soon will be interviewing for work in my chosen field. How do I know how much a job should pay? Is it okay to ask what the salary is? How should I answer the question: "What are your salary expectations?
THE ADVICE
The first thing to do is research the position and find how much it pays (salary and benefits). Carry out an Internet search of the company, visit its website and check out its employment opportunities section.
Often, companies will post vacant positions and their salary range. If the position you are interested in is not posted, call the employee relations or human resources department and ask to be sent a copy of the position description.
You can also casually ask the human resources official: "By the way, what is the salary range for this position?"
If you can find out the name of the person leaving the job, contact him or her and ask about the job and pay scale. You can also call a person in the same or a similar position in the company, or a person in another company with similar positions and ask if they can share the salary range for the position with you.
Also, check out the websites of other companies with similar positions and see if the salary ranges are posted there.
If it is a unionized position, check the union's website for the salary scales under the collective agreement, which is often posted or available in a hard copy format.
If you are asked during an interview what your salary expectations are, you could reply: "From the information I have gathered, I am aware that the salary range for this position or similar positions is this ... Is this correct?"
It will impress interviewers that you have done your research.
Then, state specifically the range of salary you are looking for. (Normally, ask for the low to mid-range of the scale unless you have extensive experience and qualifications).
If you are not able to find out the salary range for the position prior to the first interview, then it is all right to ask what the salary is at the end of the interview, when you are asked if you have any other questions.
Do not ask this as your first question since the interviewer may think that you are only interested in the salary. Try to ask it as one of your last questions.
Bruce Sandy is president of Pathfinder Coaching and Consulting in Vancouver.
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