Have you ever made this mistake during a job interview? (pay)

Bes

Bes

Bes

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
7,318
Location
Melbourne
So I had a job interview today, and I've had a couple so far, but this is the first one that has asked me directly what sort of package I am looking for at the first interview.

I got caught off guard and immediately replied with what I would 'settle' for (Which is a decent increase for me, but not stratospheric by any means), and got the reply 'That's well within our budget for this role'..... I felt like such an idiot the second after I'd done that. I did this as I have spoken to a lot of agencies, where I have outlined my actual requirements, so they can match me with what is out there. Obv. agents are always keen to get you the most £ possible, as they normally get commission off your salary.

Any tips on how I can rescue the situation? :D
 

jp_bl_68

jp_bl_68

jp_bl_68

Soldato
Joined
3 Jan 2009
Posts
8,037
Did you only talk about pay or did you mention other benefits like pensions, healthcare, holidays, company car, etc.? If you only spoke about salary and they're unwilling to offer you more than you would settle for then you could try to get them to sweeten the deal with other benefits.
 

Jambo

Jambo

Jambo

Soldato
Joined
4 Aug 2004
Posts
5,205
Bes said:
So I had a job interview today, and I've had a couple so far, but this is the first one that has asked me directly what sort of package I am looking for at the first interview.

I got caught off guard and immediately replied with what I would 'settle' for (Which is a decent increase for me, but not stratospheric by any means), and got the reply 'That's well within our budget for this role'..... I felt like such an idiot the second after I'd done that. I did this as I have spoken to a lot of agencies, where I have outlined my actual requirements, so they can match me with what is out there. Obv. agents are always keen to get you the most £ possible, as they normally get commission off your salary.

Any tips on how I can rescue the situation? :D
Click to expand...

Yeah. If they offer you the job they might still offer you more money. If they don't, say you would like to work with them but have been offered another job for more money. Begin negotiations......
 

Bes

Bes

Bes

Soldato
OP
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
7,318
Location
Melbourne
I said I wanted around xx,xxx.

Yes we talked about other benefits but one thing they cannot match (that I have now) is share options, as they are not listed.

:(
 

toshj

toshj

toshj

Soldato
Joined
11 Aug 2009
Posts
3,848
Location
KT8
Jambo said:
Yeah. If they offer you the job they might still offer you more money. If they don't, say you would like to work with them but have been offered another job for more money. Begin negotiations......
Click to expand...

This - just say that as the salary mentioned was "well within their budget" that when you interviewed with a different company you decided to go a fair amount higher and have subsequently been offered the higher amount elsewhere.

Remember to say that you'd rather keep the name of the other company to yourself for the time being... because they will ask. Also, try not to make it too obvious tht=at you're negotiating by reinforcing your interest for the first job opportunity whilst mentioning how surprised you were with the scond inflated (fake) offer.
 

Pug

Pug

Pug

Soldato
Joined
20 Oct 2002
Posts
5,184
Location
Over there...
Being recently promoted and so now sitting the other side of the desk I would rather advance people that fit the bill, and weren't asking the earth. I'd also pay them, a fair rate irrespective of their lower expectations.
 

no_1_dave

no_1_dave

no_1_dave

Soldato
Joined
7 Jul 2004
Posts
7,776
Location
Gloucester
I was asked the same thing one time.
I answered just as the OP did so that's the salary they then offered me the position at. I regretted it for the next 3 years before being promoted. Definitely try & negotiate higher if they've already hinted that a higher salary is on offer.
 

pingwing

pingwing

pingwing

Soldato
Joined
9 Apr 2008
Posts
19,697
Location
Bedford
I once suggested I would take any pay so long as it was above minimum wage as I really really needed a job.

Didn't get it (probably because I hadn't passed my driving test)
 

Tyrone77

Tyrone77

Tyrone77

Associate
Joined
18 Feb 2008
Posts
356
We'be all been offered a job and wondered if we could have got more.

Remember you said what you said because that's the amount you would be happy with. So your mind should be focused on if you want the job, not how much more you could have got. If its well within budget then you're more likely to get promoted if you do well.

So many people (including me) make comparisons against others, which gives the attitude of never being fulfilled and wanting more. You said how much will make you happy, so be happy if they offer you that.
 

Narj

Narj

Narj

Soldato
Joined
19 Feb 2010
Posts
13,250
Location
London
Ouch, that's difficult. If you're not desperate to change jobs you could try the approach above saying you've been offered X amount by another place, but you really like the firm and wonder if they could possibly match it?

Only problem here is that they could call your bluff.
 

[FnG]magnolia

[FnG]magnolia

[FnG]magnolia

Caporegime
Joined
29 Aug 2007
Posts
28,597
Location
Auckland
Tyrone77 said:
We'be all been offered a job and wondered if we could have got more.

Remember you said what you said because that's the amount you would be happy with. So your mind should be focused on if you want the job, not how much more you could have got. If its well within budget then you're more likely to get promoted if you do well.

So many people (including me) make comparisons against others, which gives the attitude of never being fulfilled and wanting more. You said how much will make you happy, so be happy if they offer you that.
Click to expand...

I disagree. OP gave a figure he thought he would be happy with only to be told that they can afford more. Apart from the fact that this was a stupid thing for the employer to state, it shows that they are willing to pay more for a suitable candidate. Let's assume the OP is a suitable candidate. Why should he accept what he thought was a realistic salary when he knows they will pay more?

Now, how he moves from his position is a different matter and is a harder negotiation for sure but to just accept it because he had a number in mind before they even talked about salary is daft.

And to those talking about working up to it through promotions in a few years and blah blah blah - this is what companies love to hear. It is salary avoidance nirvana for managers with a budget. OP, definitely have a career progression but don't think because they said they have more budget this year that will be the case next financial year and even if it is it might not be there for you.

Find out what the market rates are and grade yourself against them. Remember you want the job and make sure that comes across but equally try and eke out as much as you can now when they want you. Because it is much harder to do this once they have your contract signed. It's a substantial shift of power.
 

Jay794

Jay794

Jay794

Soldato
Joined
27 Aug 2011
Posts
5,307
Location
Sheffield, UK
Last job interview I had they asked what salary I was currently on, (15k) then told me what the salary was for this job (24k) my reply? "WHEN DO I START?" needless to say I didn't get the job due to the age old repsonse of "lack of experience" my response "Why the hell do you think I applied for the job? ....to get more experience!"

Don't think I'll be hearing from them anytime soon
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom