Interview etiquette for finding out the pay!!!

[XYnurse2B]

So, I've been applying all over the country. Every place is different. Sometimes I'm speaking with HR. Sometimes with the Nurse Manager. I've even spoken with a CNO. I'm aware that you NEVER start an interview/conversation with $$$ talk. Besides, I really do have other questions about the place I am interviewing for. Sometimes, an HR person will just throw out the pay/diffs/OT, sometimes the nurse managers don't even know! So my question is this... When is it o.k. to ask, straight up, what the starting pay is? I've been told there is some flexibility in the starting wage for a new grad. True or untrue? What if there's two of us? (husband/wife). I just had my first negative (hesitant) response from an interviewer when I asked, but everyone else has seemed totally fine with it... What's your take AllNurses Nation???

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

It's been my experience that with any job, pay is usually not discussed until a job offer is extended or in the works.

I would be cautious when asking regarding $$ and bennies, especially in this economy.

All the best to you,

Diane

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

Rule #1 of interviews.

NEVER discuss pay or benefits until you are actually offered the job.

Not sure what you mean by "what if there is two of us"...being married or single should have no bearing on your interview or job offer, when they will give you paperwork regarding the costs of family insurance, etc.

[XYnurse2B]

So, why especially in this economy? Why do the tough time make it a more sensitive issue?

[XYnurse2B]

I know it's "proper" not to ask, but it just doesn't make much sense. I'm interviewing over the phone with these people and some of them are very difficult to get ahold of. When you finally have someone on the phone who can answer all your questions, you just want to get them answered. I guess like I feel as though the hospitals are being interviewed just as much as I am, and I have every right to want to know how much they value their employees as reflected in their pay...

[Atheos]

You don't ask because right now the have they power. You need a job and they have one.

You need to wait until the playing field is level.

When they extend a job offer that means, most likely, out of everyone that applied you were the best. They want YOU.

They then give you the job offer. Now you have some pull and can discuss pay and benes.

It's just the way things are done.

As to you interviewing the hospital. You are supposed to do that BEFORE the interview on your own time.

You select the best hospitals (your criteria) and rank them. Then apply. Then interview and sell yourself. Then get the job offer. Then haggle.

We are used to thinking we are interviewing them. No we aren't.

If it's a crappy hospital they will be desperate and you'll hate it, no matter the pay. If it is a good hospital then they don't NEED you as much as you need them. Good employers attract employees.

If you bring up money at the start you'll talk your way out of a job.

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

So, why especially in this economy? Why do the tough time make it a more sensitive issue?

Say you have 20 candidates for the same new grad RN position (which is probably the case in a lot of places, unfortunately).

Would you be interested in hiring the one that asked about pay and benefits? Seriously?

I found a part time job (nocs) as a graduate nurse, and I start next month.

At this point, I'm thanking my lucky stars even for a part-time job.

And heavens no, I NEVER asked about pay/benefits. They let me know how much the position paid when they OFFERED me the job.

I was once a recruiter in my 'former life.' If someone asked me about salary in their first interview, that was usually the last interview that they would have. A total turn off for me.

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

You don't ask because right now the have they power. You need a job and they have one.

You need to wait until the playing field is level.

When they extend a job offer that means, most likely, out of everyone that applied you were the best. They want YOU.

They then give you the job offer. Now you have some pull and can discuss pay and benes.

It's just the way things are done.

As to you interviewing the hospital. You are supposed to do that BEFORE the interview on your own time.

You select the best hospitals (your criteria) and rank them. Then apply. Then interview and sell yourself. Then get the job offer. Then haggle.

We are used to thinking we are interviewing them. No we aren't.

If it's a crappy hospital they will be desperate and you'll hate it, no matter the pay. If it is a good hospital then they don't NEED you as much as you need them. Good employers attract employees.

If you bring up money at the start you'll talk your way out of a job.

You hit that one right on the head...

[XYnurse2B]

OK, OK I give... I may not necessarily agree, but I clearly see the point being made. No more asking about pay. :trc:

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

OK, OK I give... I may not necessarily agree, but I clearly see the point being made. No more asking about pay. :trc:

Best of Luck with your job search!!

[XYnurse2B]

Best of Luck with your job search!!

Any suggestions how to make a recovery with a place I REAALLLLLYYY want to work at? I've only spoken with the RN recruiter, no nurse managers.

[caliotter3]

By the time the interview is reaching the end (and maybe the job is being offered to you), if the pay has not been discussed, I ask at the end. I have found that pay and benefits usually are discussed at the end, whether or not I am the one who brings up the subject. I have also cold called an employer and asked outright in a polite way. When I do this, I don't identify myself because I don't want to commit to an interview appointment when all I'm doing is finding out info.