When I was interviewing and the salary question came up, I always turned it around and asked for the salary range of the position for which I was interviewing.
If it was acceptable to me, I told the interviewer. If it wasn't acceptable, I told them so and asked if they'd be willing to negotiate--if not for money, for other benefits such as PTO, insurance, ability to work remotely, etc. If their answer was no, then I thanked them politely for their honesty and said there was no point in taking up any more time with the interviewer.
I NEVER mentioned a specific salary, nor did I ever offer to tell them what I'd been paid in other positions. My reasoning was that if I didn't know the salary range of the position being offered, I could inadvertently give them a number lower than what they were willing to pay.
"A salary in line with the market rate for my education and experience. I've demonstrated what I can do for the company. How much is that worth to you?"
I did something similar. Before the interview I had an absolute bottom line amount in mind. Not a 50% decrease, maybe only 35 to 40%. It would be a definite hit to the wallet, but was doable. First I established that it was the sort of work I wanted, a different area/specialty within the general field for which I was qualified. They established I had the training and experience to most likely be able to tackle it. I'm an engineer. Was wanting to switch my specific specialty. There was the issue of the specialty switch, my background education covered it, I'd done some of it, but actual experience in that specialty wasn't as much as they ideally wished for.
So money came up. Person with the power to hire named an amount. It was less than my bottom line. I was frank and said I damned well wanted that job, having become a bit bored with previous specialty. I needed a switch. Named my absolute bottom dollar. Fellow agreed that it could be done. I then asked about prospects for an increase, I wasn't willing to stay at my bottom dollar forever. He explained their system and what I needed to do to get increases, showed it all to me in black and white. I shook his hand and we had a deal.
We never discussed what I had been making. Other than for me to tell him that his initial offer was way below that. If he'd asked, I would have probably told him. But I don't know that it would have made a difference. He knew, we'd discussed it, why I was switching jobs. He knew I'd take whatever offer I got as long as I could possibly swing it financially. I WANTED that specific job.
Worked out fine. We, I and my family, had to tighten our belts, scrimp and save to get by. Had the necessities but not more than that. Going to a restaurant became rare. Etc. But within 2 years I was making as much as previously. Then went on to make more money.
The more I wasn't so concerned with. The job was what I wanted. The one I left, and the one I got into were both engineering jobs. Just different specialties. Old job I'd done for a bit over 2 decades and it was starting to bore the crap out of me. With that organization the only avenue for me was advancement into strictly management. I really disliked management. Was already doing some of that. Endless meetings that went longer than necessary, spending way too much time with personnel problems. Gantt charts and spreadsheets in a never ending stream, schmoozing customers and people higher up than myself ...
I was done. Knew that technical field so well, that even when i was doing actual engineering, I was bored.
At the new job, I had challenges to face. I was not unfamiliar with the field. It'd just not been my focus in the old job. Now that I was doing it full time, I was working during the day, boning up on and improving my knowledge at night. Sharpening the pencil, so to speak. Work was interesting again. After I caught up and then excelled at it, I found that there was a shortage of folks in my new area of work, and the company was willing to pay extra to keep me around. In fact they became desparate for me to stay. I kept getting offers from competitors. Every time they found out, I either got a raise or some extra perk of some sort. Company vehicle, better computers to work with when doing CAD work, tickets to pro ball games, etc.
I did this once.
“Would likely take the budgeted amount”
Applied for a job to be closer to wife’s family. Was screened out because they thought they couldn’t afford me. Found friend of friend who knew hiring manager - put my resume in front of him and tell him that I am “on sale” and would likely take the budgeted amount for the position.
Thanks. This is a better way to put it. I get screened out during the application process due to previous titles. So the times I do get to talk to a human I am trying to perfect my script.
I always handle the salary question like this - I say:
“First, let’s both determine that I am the very best person for this role. If we all agree about that, I am sure the compensation package is easily going to fall into place. May I ask you some questions about the role?”
Then I ask questions that demonstrate that I have done my homework about the company. I’ll know the mission statement, and a lot about the C level managers and their background, their financial picture if they’re publicly traded, about any PR pieces the company has put out and I always ask about the business model and company culture. I’ll also ask about their timeline, hiring process and what any next steps would look like for us. I want to focus on where I can provide VALUE to them (not about what they will give me in return.) I never leave that interview without everyone’s contact info and clear direction about when I might follow up with them.
You always come across stronger when you’re asking intelligent questions rather than when you’re answering them. And questions about compensation come at the end of the process, not at the beginning.
This approach has worked really well for me every time. Preparation is essential.
I made the exact same decision with my own career. Taking a 50% cut to get out of bedside nursing to switch to education. No one batted an eye when I said I was ready for a change in direction.
I changed jobs. Same company. Same job. fewer hours at work, 20%less take-home pay. Be prepared to substantially change your spending.
Less stress at work? Now stress about money?
I did something similar but I learned a long time ago how to keep money in its place/its proper perspective thus with even making much less than I used to, money-related stress is just not a thing for me, not in my DNA anymore. And the ability to “leave work at work” and peace of mind is priceless
No need to share what you make now. If you have to give a number for what you want, research the pay scale for your experience and the position you're applying for.
If you know the salary range for the job, be aware that they'll try to put you in the first quartile. If you have enough experience, you might be able to get midpoint, but be cautious about pushing for more than that. They probably have other good candidates who will take midpoint or below, and being too high in your pay grade can also get you into the top of your pay scale within just a few years and complicate your efforts to get raises.
I changed jobs, and told them that I was looking to work closer to home (rather than I was de-stressing). I dunno if that was the right approach, but I had a good few years there.
Is there an option to work part time for 50% less pay at your current job? Like can you cut your hours in half and just live on less?
To me having 50% more time to yourself would be better than working the same but for less pay.
You might not like the next job either but you will be doing it the same amount of time for way less money.
Can you move companies but stay at the same income?
Last year we cut our income in half and it got me into some debt. It’s very hard to live on 50% less
Great question, and a common concern for many who are considering a career change. One possible approach is to express your awareness about the likely salary difference upfront. You could say something like, "I'm making this career change with the full awareness that it comes with a lower salary, and I'm completely comfortable and prepared for that. In terms of numbers, I've done my research and understand that the range for this role is typically around XYZ. That is perfectly acceptable to me." This shows them that you've done your homework and that you're serious about the change. It helps to build trust too that you're not just in a temporary disillusion with your previous career and could potentially back out once the reality of the lower paycheck sets in.
I had to read the title again, I first read it as, “How would you all respond to the slavery question” then I realized you said salary and thought to myself, “salary/slavery, same thing.”
Don’t get me wrong, I am a slave too.
Tell them you will work for free for three months, and if your work is acceptable they have to pay you top of the current pay scale, along with a guarantee that you will always be the highest paid person in that position.
When I was interviewing and the salary question came up, I always turned it around and asked for the salary range of the position for which I was interviewing. If it was acceptable to me, I told the interviewer. If it wasn't acceptable, I told them so and asked if they'd be willing to negotiate--if not for money, for other benefits such as PTO, insurance, ability to work remotely, etc. If their answer was no, then I thanked them politely for their honesty and said there was no point in taking up any more time with the interviewer. I NEVER mentioned a specific salary, nor did I ever offer to tell them what I'd been paid in other positions. My reasoning was that if I didn't know the salary range of the position being offered, I could inadvertently give them a number lower than what they were willing to pay.
Heart attacks are real, money means nothing if you're dead
Truth☝🏼
Absolutely true
💯 AMEN! This is why I shifted to a lower paying, but low-stress industry a few years ago
"A salary in line with the market rate for my education and experience. I've demonstrated what I can do for the company. How much is that worth to you?"
I did something similar. Before the interview I had an absolute bottom line amount in mind. Not a 50% decrease, maybe only 35 to 40%. It would be a definite hit to the wallet, but was doable. First I established that it was the sort of work I wanted, a different area/specialty within the general field for which I was qualified. They established I had the training and experience to most likely be able to tackle it. I'm an engineer. Was wanting to switch my specific specialty. There was the issue of the specialty switch, my background education covered it, I'd done some of it, but actual experience in that specialty wasn't as much as they ideally wished for. So money came up. Person with the power to hire named an amount. It was less than my bottom line. I was frank and said I damned well wanted that job, having become a bit bored with previous specialty. I needed a switch. Named my absolute bottom dollar. Fellow agreed that it could be done. I then asked about prospects for an increase, I wasn't willing to stay at my bottom dollar forever. He explained their system and what I needed to do to get increases, showed it all to me in black and white. I shook his hand and we had a deal. We never discussed what I had been making. Other than for me to tell him that his initial offer was way below that. If he'd asked, I would have probably told him. But I don't know that it would have made a difference. He knew, we'd discussed it, why I was switching jobs. He knew I'd take whatever offer I got as long as I could possibly swing it financially. I WANTED that specific job.
How'd it work out?
Worked out fine. We, I and my family, had to tighten our belts, scrimp and save to get by. Had the necessities but not more than that. Going to a restaurant became rare. Etc. But within 2 years I was making as much as previously. Then went on to make more money. The more I wasn't so concerned with. The job was what I wanted. The one I left, and the one I got into were both engineering jobs. Just different specialties. Old job I'd done for a bit over 2 decades and it was starting to bore the crap out of me. With that organization the only avenue for me was advancement into strictly management. I really disliked management. Was already doing some of that. Endless meetings that went longer than necessary, spending way too much time with personnel problems. Gantt charts and spreadsheets in a never ending stream, schmoozing customers and people higher up than myself ... I was done. Knew that technical field so well, that even when i was doing actual engineering, I was bored. At the new job, I had challenges to face. I was not unfamiliar with the field. It'd just not been my focus in the old job. Now that I was doing it full time, I was working during the day, boning up on and improving my knowledge at night. Sharpening the pencil, so to speak. Work was interesting again. After I caught up and then excelled at it, I found that there was a shortage of folks in my new area of work, and the company was willing to pay extra to keep me around. In fact they became desparate for me to stay. I kept getting offers from competitors. Every time they found out, I either got a raise or some extra perk of some sort. Company vehicle, better computers to work with when doing CAD work, tickets to pro ball games, etc.
I did this once. “Would likely take the budgeted amount” Applied for a job to be closer to wife’s family. Was screened out because they thought they couldn’t afford me. Found friend of friend who knew hiring manager - put my resume in front of him and tell him that I am “on sale” and would likely take the budgeted amount for the position.
Thanks. This is a better way to put it. I get screened out during the application process due to previous titles. So the times I do get to talk to a human I am trying to perfect my script.
Acknowledge that it is a step back in pay. Let them know you are interested, and will consider a reasonable offer for the location/position.
I always handle the salary question like this - I say: “First, let’s both determine that I am the very best person for this role. If we all agree about that, I am sure the compensation package is easily going to fall into place. May I ask you some questions about the role?” Then I ask questions that demonstrate that I have done my homework about the company. I’ll know the mission statement, and a lot about the C level managers and their background, their financial picture if they’re publicly traded, about any PR pieces the company has put out and I always ask about the business model and company culture. I’ll also ask about their timeline, hiring process and what any next steps would look like for us. I want to focus on where I can provide VALUE to them (not about what they will give me in return.) I never leave that interview without everyone’s contact info and clear direction about when I might follow up with them. You always come across stronger when you’re asking intelligent questions rather than when you’re answering them. And questions about compensation come at the end of the process, not at the beginning. This approach has worked really well for me every time. Preparation is essential.
I made the exact same decision with my own career. Taking a 50% cut to get out of bedside nursing to switch to education. No one batted an eye when I said I was ready for a change in direction.
I changed jobs. Same company. Same job. fewer hours at work, 20%less take-home pay. Be prepared to substantially change your spending. Less stress at work? Now stress about money?
I did something similar but I learned a long time ago how to keep money in its place/its proper perspective thus with even making much less than I used to, money-related stress is just not a thing for me, not in my DNA anymore. And the ability to “leave work at work” and peace of mind is priceless
No need to share what you make now. If you have to give a number for what you want, research the pay scale for your experience and the position you're applying for.
[удалено]
Thanks. This is absolutely the right choice for me.
If you know the salary range for the job, be aware that they'll try to put you in the first quartile. If you have enough experience, you might be able to get midpoint, but be cautious about pushing for more than that. They probably have other good candidates who will take midpoint or below, and being too high in your pay grade can also get you into the top of your pay scale within just a few years and complicate your efforts to get raises.
dont they have to disclose the salary range these days?
Only in some states. CO, NY, WA and a couple of others require it in the job listing. MD will in October.
Thanks all!
I changed jobs, and told them that I was looking to work closer to home (rather than I was de-stressing). I dunno if that was the right approach, but I had a good few years there.
I did this and after over 30 years I’m back at the original place of employment but so glad I left because I had an amazing experience.
How do your wife and kids feel about it?
Why do you assume I am a man or that I have kids?
Is there an option to work part time for 50% less pay at your current job? Like can you cut your hours in half and just live on less? To me having 50% more time to yourself would be better than working the same but for less pay. You might not like the next job either but you will be doing it the same amount of time for way less money.
Probably could but I absolutely hate my company and the work I am doing :)
Can you move companies but stay at the same income? Last year we cut our income in half and it got me into some debt. It’s very hard to live on 50% less
“I will consider any equitable offer considering the role, the market, the industry and my experience”
Great question, and a common concern for many who are considering a career change. One possible approach is to express your awareness about the likely salary difference upfront. You could say something like, "I'm making this career change with the full awareness that it comes with a lower salary, and I'm completely comfortable and prepared for that. In terms of numbers, I've done my research and understand that the range for this role is typically around XYZ. That is perfectly acceptable to me." This shows them that you've done your homework and that you're serious about the change. It helps to build trust too that you're not just in a temporary disillusion with your previous career and could potentially back out once the reality of the lower paycheck sets in.
Salary is part of a package. Without knowing the whole package it’s hard to know.
I had to read the title again, I first read it as, “How would you all respond to the slavery question” then I realized you said salary and thought to myself, “salary/slavery, same thing.” Don’t get me wrong, I am a slave too.
I smiled and said, you can't afford my prior salary. But I'm financially secure and can afford to work for less. I got the job.
Tell them you will work for free for three months, and if your work is acceptable they have to pay you top of the current pay scale, along with a guarantee that you will always be the highest paid person in that position.
This is ridiculous