Asking pay rate before being offered the job...

Cherybaby · May 31, 2009

I just read a post by someone giving advice on interviews who said DO NOT do this. I have read that a number of times on this site and heard colleagues say similar.

That is just ridiculous. I have always asked about rate of pay on the phone prior to my interview. However, even the times that I forgot to do so, I always ask about it toward the end of an interview. You have the right to know these things. Wouldn't it be a shame to go through the entire interview process only to find out they are offering a substandard rate of pay and no benefits?

Not me, baby! :)

2BSure · May 31, 2009

Because traditionally, across all professions, it is considered unprofessional. If you read any article on interviewing, asking about the salary is a good way to blow it.
To ask the pay rate of the job up front, is the candidate assuming that they may actually be offered the position....which is the rationale why it's not discussed.
However, a GOOD interviewer will discuss the pay for the job up front without the candidate asking...mainly because there is nothing that wastes more people's time than to go through 2 or 3 interviews and then to discover in the end, that you wouldn't get out of bed for such and such salary.
Jobs that I have interviewed for...when the salary is held out until the bitter end...there is usually a reason why it's not mentioned....b/c it's low.

Well, I have worked in another profession and this was NOT the case. My observation is that this applies more to less skilled work.

JomoNurse · May 31, 2009

That's a question I ask before I even take the time to fill out an application. If it's not up to my standard, then I don't even waste my ink on the application.

Di Deanna · Jun 14, 2009

for those who ask about the pay rate before showing up to the interview; do the employers give you the "it's based on experience/qualifications,etc." runaround?

i have done this with previous jobs (not in nursing) and been told that it all depends on the interview...etc. in my eyes, that's a lousy response. they do ultimately know what the lowest and highest rates they will pay for the position.

how do you get this out of them when they use an excuse like that? i am also a firm believer in not interviewing for positions that don't even expect to pay a living wage. i refuse to waste my time.

Cindy-san · Jun 14, 2009

I've been on several interviews. If they hadn't already given me a sheet with the pay scale when I made the appointment, the interviewer always brought it up and we went over pay and benefits.

I wouldn't leave the office without knowing.