How do you answer a salary question in an interview?

Amanda.RN · Aug 19, 2011

@ karengirl 1988 - how did you get your name to be a hyperlink?? I would like to do that to mine!! Thanks!

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Aug 19, 2011

"More than what you are going to offer me so less than I am worth will do"

netglow, ASN, RN · Aug 19, 2011

"More than what you are going to offer me so less than I am worth will do"

Yeah seriously, it's a tech job. There is no negotiation. They know what the company will pay, and that is all. Kind of stupid they would ask you.

HR are funny little people. Usually have no idea about what you do, or really what anybody does for a living. They have never had a real job themselves, so often there is this huge knowledge void. They have never worked side by side with other professionals. Most working people who have a real job actually are more qualified to be able to tell who'd be a good candidate, knowing from the experience of working hands on with others what the job needs. You have to be careful always with them however. They are keenly aware of their worthlessness. As soon as you know you've talked over their heads you have to change the conversation immediately or they will try to penalize you for it.

stellarweb · Aug 19, 2011

saying the average salary of your area would be a good answer.

Mully · Aug 19, 2011

One MILLION dollars!

MrChicagoRN, RN · Aug 19, 2011

I have a big interview for a medical assistant job (im also an lvn graduate) and i was wondering what i should say when the interviewer ask me about how much i would like to get paid or what salary am i looking for, etc.. Last time i was asked this question years ago, i told the interviewer a big amount and she ended up not giving me the job lol. any advice? whats the exact words should i say in my answer? i heard i have to say "negotiable" and thats it?... and then what?

Salary questions are tricky. Bid high & you may be pricing yourself out of the market; Bid low and you've left money on the table.

It's often best to not quote an exact figure, but it helps to know the pay range for similar positions. Keep in mind that salary is but one part of total compensation. If company A pays a dollar more, but company B puts money into your 401k/403b & has better, cheaper health insurance and gives more vacation time; which do you choose?

They're going to have a narrow range (probably~50 cents) for that job & years of experience. A safe response is "I'm sure you will come up with an equitable number that takes into account my education, experience, and the value I will bring to the job. Can you tell me what range we are looking at?"

If pressed, " I was making $x at my last job and I was hoping to match or exceed that amount"

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2011

HR are funny little people. Usually have no idea about what you do, or really what anybody does for a living. They have never had a real job themselves, so often there is this huge knowledge void. They have never worked side by side with other professionals. Most working people who have a real job actually are more qualified to be able to tell who'd be a good candidate, knowing from the experience of working hands on with others what the job needs. You have to be careful always with them however. They are keenly aware of their worthlessness. As soon as you know you've talked over their heads you have to change the conversation immediately or they will try to penalize you for it.

Wow. Sounds like you've got an axe to grind with some HR people that you've met in the past. Lumping every HR rep into one category and calling them worthless is pretty harsh. Professionals should not address others in such a manner if they want to be seen as professional.