Weird phone interview

Yesterday I had a weird phone interview with an HR rep of a relatively small company.

I have about seven years experience in systems admin and support with strong networking background. She started to repeatedly asked me why I had left work to complete my degree to the point I almost felt getting education was the wrong thing. She asked me repeatedly why I had moved a couple of times although I advised her it was to complete my degree.

The most weird thing was her insistence I give them salary expectation. I said it's negotiable and that salary is not the only factor in my view, but I had to giver her a figure. Towards the end, I was thinking about my future with this company if I were to work for them.

Have you had an experience like this?

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Comments

crrussell3

Two job interviews I had (including my now current position) had to have a salary figure to work with before they did anything. I tried the typically ploy to dance around their question and get them to give me a figure, even though neither of us had anything to work with so to speak.

So it seems in this job market, they hold the upper hand, all the cards, etc as the applicant pool far exceeds the job openings. Bad thing is they realize it too!

djhss68

Always give em more than you think you're worth.

wd40

I had a similar question 10 years ago, The lady that called me said:
I do not mean to be rude but how much are you getting now?
I said $$$
She said Thank you and hung up the phone. ..

Apparently it was much higher than what they had to offer.

Technito

binarysoul wrote: »

Yesterday I had a weird phone interview with an HR rep of a relatively small company.

I have about seven years experience in systems admin and support with strong networking background. She started to repeatedly asked me why I had left work to complete my degree to the point I almost felt getting education was the wrong thing. She asked me repeatedly why I had moved a couple of times although I advised her it was to complete my degree.

The most weird thing was her insistence I give them salary expectation. I said it's negotiable and that salary is not the only factor in my view, but I had to giver her a figure. Towards the end, I was thinking about my future with this company if I were to work for them.

Have you had an experience like this?

As djhss68 said, the figure you give them should be more than you think you're worth. And like you said you gotta think about the future with this company. When an employer asks your desired salary, it's for one of two reasons. One being they truly want to know how much you think you are worth and based on that value can actually help determine whether or not they hire you. The other reason (and sadly the most common reason) they'll already have a preset salary range or figure in mind but if you for some reason give them a lower salary they can cheap you out of what they were really gonna pay. And they make it seem like they're actually giving you your desired salary. If you aim high, and it's above what they're willing to pay then they'll usually say these exact words... "Well this position pays x" Or.... "The most I can pay is x". I usually respond with... "Well, you asked me my desired salary". And it's not an arrogant response, especially if the pay is something that's totally unacceptable for me. This can show in advance there's probably not a lot of growth within company and or they don't like to give pay increases. That's why it's important to always aim high when negotiating a salary. I don't mean try to negotiate a ridiculously high salary, but a fairly high salary that's comparable to relevant positions out in the market. This will usually negotiate the highest salary possible for that position. And they can't disqualify you just because you "desire" a high salary.

swabbies

I think it is best to be clear on the first call what the salary range is. Why waste your time if they are not going to pay you what you are looking for?

As for telling them your salary, it is my belief that you should know what you want to make before you apply for jobs. Just be up front and tell that that you want X. It doesn't have to be a big deal.

RobertKaucher

Amazon.com: Priceless: The Myth of Fair Value (and How to Take Advantage of It) (9780809094691): William Poundstone: Books

I highly reccomend that book. It discusses salary and price negotiation. It states very clearly that all studies have shown that price discussions are always in reference to the first number mentioned. If possible be the one to give the number first and it should be your ideal. I believe that fair market for my position is $40K, so I might say $45K so that any counter offer they make will then be in relation to the number I mentioned. The important thing to keep in mind is that this is not a huge salary negotiation of the type done by sports figures. These people have lawyers and other representatives and need to consider many other venues of cash other than simple salary. So the tricks and suggestions that those guys might suggest may not apply. Our type of salary negotiation has far more in common with the negotiation between a car salesman and a customer.

Think about this. If an employer says to you "We are budgeted for about $35K for this position, what are your salary requirements?" You are now starting to think about that number. So now the negotiation must go up to your figure, rather than down to what you might really expect to be paid. It gives you a psychological disadvantage. The actual high end of the budget might be $40K but now you start to think maybe 38 is ok.

RouteThisWay

RobertKaucher wrote: »

Amazon.com: Priceless: The Myth of Fair Value (and How to Take Advantage of It) (9780809094691): William Poundstone: Books

I highly reccomend that book. It discusses salary and price negotiation. It states very clearly that all studies have shown that price discussions are always in reference to the first number mentioned. If possible be the one to give the number first and it should be your ideal. I believe that fair market for my position is $40K, so I might say $45K so that any counter offer they make will then be in relation to the number I mentioned. The important thing to keep in mind is that this is not a huge salary negotiation of the type done by sports figures. These people have lawyers and other representatives and need to consider many other venues of cash other than simple salary. So the tricks and suggestions that those guys might suggest may not apply. Our type of salary negotiation has far more in common with the negotiation between a car salesman and a customer.

Think about this. If an employer says to you "We are budgeted for about $35K for this position, what are your salary requirements?" You are now starting to think about that number. So now the negotiation must go up to your figure, rather than down to what you might really expect to be paid. It gives you a psychological disadvantage. The actual high end of the budget might be $40K but now you start to think maybe 38 is ok.

Good post. Might look into grabbing that book as well