Asking pay rate before interview

[zoo*moon]

The concern is I don't want to drive 2 1/2 to 4 hours then find out I'll be making less. I know, it depends. I might accept a position that pays less-- depends on the position. But generally speaking, I wouldn't interview at a place if it would mean I'd be making less. Why don't they offer up that information up front? I've looked around and so far only one hospital posted their starting rate with the job descriptions. But I'm afraid to ask if it'll mean no interview.

P.S. Sorry for the negative user name. Anyone know if it can be changed?

[Quickbeam, BSN, RN]

I've had a lot of nursing jobs (oh boy) but never once did I go to an interview without some idea of what the pay range would be. Now, you never really know what they are going to offer YOU but some sense of rate /hour? Sure.

[justme1972]

If they're forced to give you a range before you commit much of your time into the process, they'll be forced to make a legitimate offer for your services.

I've noticed this is particularly rampant in nursing. I guess it's all part of that "yer only n it 4 the monneyyyys!!!!!" crap. Like anyone would do the job for free.

It's not just in nursing...that's just old fashioned salary negotation, and it won't matter who you work for, it's the same.

HR personnel will tell you if someone asks about pay during the interview, the "philosophical answer" that they give (as if we all work for free) is if someone is more concerned about the pay than the job, then they probably aren't the right person for the job.

You have to keep in mind that most HR people are not nurses, they are business people, and their job is to get you in the door for the lowest salary possible, unless a hospital has a structured salary tier program.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

Of course it's not just nursing. But, as I said, it's particularly rampant in nursing, due to the whole "it has to be a calling" nonsense.

[joannep]

I agree,

I would love that all job advertisements give a range of pay, but they don't.

Even at interview I have found that I haven't been given a straight answer!

I have attended interviews, been offered jobs and then asked for the pay rate and found it was less than I was earning.

Very frustrating!

And yes, I work for money, not charity!