Need salary request information before my interview...please help!!

[esco]

I have an interview coming up for my first RN position. It would be at A Dermatology Surgical center specializing in Mohs procedures. I am located in Northern CA and I know she will ask the dreaded question of how much money am I looking for and I have no idea what to request. I have researched quite a but what to expect pay wise in a new grad hospital position but this is quite different. Help??? Thank you!!

[Sour Lemon]

As you're a new grad, I doubt they care what you want ....especially in that market. I would expect an offer of less than what a hospital would pay, though.

[HarryTheCat, MSN, RN]

As a new grad in a "buyers market", you really don't have a lot of bargaining power, and not every employer will even ask you what you're looking for. Most will already have a figure or a narrow range in mind, and you can only hurt yourself if you give them a number. If you blurt out a number that is below what they are thinking, they might just hire you for less than the going rate. If you toss out a figure that's above their starting rate, they may just write you off as too demanding.

If they do ask, the best way to handle it is to gently turn it right back to them by saying something like, "Being a new nurse, salary isn't as important to me as being the right fit for a job that will give me an opportunity to develop my nursing skills, and to be valued member of the team. I'm sure that if I am the right person for this job that the compensation will be appropriate to the position."

By answering in this manner, you've taken a "knock-out" question and turned it into an opportunity to emphasize that you are looking to grow as a nurse, and that you're a team player. Then if you do receive an offer, and the amount isn't something you can live with, you can always turn it down. Just don't expect them to come back with a higher number. There are probably lots of other new grads they can hire if you don't want the job.