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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

About job adverts that don't mention the salary?

87 replies

howmuchplease · 27/04/2017 21:35

Or even a ballpark... What is the actual point! I'm finding this particularly annoying as jobs in my field at different levels will mention the same skills (obviously at varying levels) BUT NO SALARY INFO! Why!?!?

OP posts:

Oneiroi · 28/04/2017 22:24

I understand the arguments on both sides of this and have successfully negotiated salaries I am happy with from employers. However, employers need to understand that this information is crucial for the prospective employee. The primary reason most people go to work is to earn money. So if it can't be included in the advert, fine. But there is also a taboo about discussing salary at first interviews. Opaqueness about the one factor in the transaction that matters by far the most to one party is obviously going to be frustrating. To be honest when roles are advertised in this way I always take them at their word that it's negotiable and demand 10-20% more than I might otherwise have accepted, to redress the balance of spending several interviews discussing what they want to know before we get to the part that is primarily of interest to me!

piknmixer · 28/04/2017 22:35

I saw a perfect job last year but there was no salary on the advert. They wanted all sorts of skills including project management, work was unsociable hours etc.

So I gave them a call to ask for a ballpark figure for salary. Turns out it was just above minimum wage. FFS.

OdinsLoveChild · 28/04/2017 22:37

They wanted all sorts of skills including project management, work was unsociable hours etc.

Turns out it was just above minimum wage.

This has happened so many times to me that I now just assume its only going to be NMW and I never bother with applying for them.

Littledrummergirl · 28/04/2017 22:42

I always assume any employer who fails to advertise the salary is going to pay as little as possible. I also assume that if they use an agency they can't be arsed to spend time with potential candidates as they don't see/understand they value of the process.
I don't apply for these jobs.

OdinsLoveChild · 28/04/2017 22:45

I find it amazing that a company will use an agency to recruit someone into a HR Officer/Administrator position.

Surely if they're recruiting a HR position then they have a HR department who could actually do the hiring themselves?

Brighteyes27 · 28/04/2017 22:51

My DH is job hunting at the minute nearly all the jobs he is applying for say competive salary. He had a pre interview telephone interview the other day. They asked him what salary he was on previously which he said was lower than he was actually earning then asked him how much he was looking to receive for this post so he again dropped down significantly to what he was earning previously. They then said no we were thinking more in the region of x which was lower still. They said they would put him on their skills base but he felt he'd shots himself in the foot with this. Those of you in HR or head hunters what is the correct way to proceed with this questioning please as it's so difficult for interviewees going for slightly different jobs with different companies who have differing positions obviously he doesn't want to say too much and price himself out of the job but nor does he want to work for a ridiculously low salary especially with his experience and skill set.

aurynne · 28/04/2017 23:13

It is a power game. Most people are uncomfortable and unsure asking for specific salaries, so companies use this to establish a position of power over prospective employees. And of course, to offer less than what they could if the person is unable to estimate the salary they deserve correctly.

I personally ignore job adverts like these.

Oneiroi · 28/04/2017 23:15

Why on Earth would he have lied and told them a lower salary than he was earning? I just don't get his reasoning here?

They will use this as a benchmark for what to offer so either be honest or, better, talk about how his skills match the job description, what he can do for them and what his salary expectation is (i.e. the salary he wants!). Take control of the discussion. Think what he will happily accept, add 10-20% then go in with that offer. That way if they negotiate down he'll get what he wanted in the first place but everybody will feel like they got a good deal.

Employers are playing this game to pay the minimum they can. If you are a good candidate they will pay what you are worth. Look at 'glassdoor' and similar websites to find out benchmark salaries for similar roles with similar organisations. And don't back down!

GahBuggerit · 29/04/2017 07:11

I think lots of youmare missing out on jobs because of this. Not all employers want to pay the least, plenty of reasons have been given as to why an advert might not have the salary, another one for us is we don't want our competitors knowing what we pay (it's a bizarre industry!) If you like the look of the job just stick an application in, when they get in touch to arrange an interview check the salary then, if they won't reveal it then don't go, you've lost nothing.

I went for a "negotiable" job and the actual salary was 7k over my ideal. Thank God I didn't dismiss that advert!

ChessieFL · 29/04/2017 07:57

I applied for a job last year that didn't have a salary advertised. At the interview they asked what salary I expected and I named a figure a few thousand over what I was currently on. They ended up offering me a few thousand more than the figure I named, and I've since had a further 10% pay rise. So it's not always about employers trying to pay the minimum they can get away with.

And I disagree with previous poster who would bring in a law for all jobs to have a set salary like in the public sector. I worked in the public sector and now in private. I like that the private sector has freedom to reward good performance (see my 10% pay rise!). That would never have happened in the public sector. Once you're at the top of your band, there's no further reward no matter how hard you work and perform. You can be paid the same as someone else who is just coasting along and just doing the minimum to avoid getting sacked.

Okite · 29/04/2017 08:06

One place I worked at had a completely transparent salary policy. Everyone's salary was published and searchable on the intranet. It seemed such a bizarre thing when I first started but actually made so much sense. If they are paying everyone fairly, why does it need to be hidden? That was nearly 20 years ago.

elkegel · 29/04/2017 08:07

I think it should be illegal not to state the salary and all salary information should be public.

elkegel · 29/04/2017 08:10

Job applications take so much time and effort- why would I apply if you are only going to offer me a salary that won't pay my bills?

PippaFawcett · 29/04/2017 08:13

I'm not actively looking for a new job but I could be tempted by the right one - so a whopping salary increase for doing a similar/better role would appeal but I'm not going to leave for less/a few k more as my job is very flexible so it isn't all about the money.

Ethylred · 29/04/2017 08:30

Christ I love ads like these, they put me in control. It's like being on serve at tennis.

"I'm currently on X and will move for 40% more.

Now let's see what your return of serve is like."

ScruffbagsRUs · 29/04/2017 09:57

to keep it confidential from current employees.

As a matter of interest, does any company strictly forbid employees from talking to other employees about their salaries, outside of work, and in another employee's house, when having a meal with them as friends? Has there been any case where the employee has been sacked for discussing their wages (in their own house) with other employees from the same dept?

JanetBrown2015 · 29/04/2017 10:37

Scruff - in English law you can find out for an equal pay case but it remains lawful to prohibit employees disclosing salary (other than in that case).

One of my 20 something children has discussed this issue of pay with me a few times on job moves. We view we take is that you need to keep moving to get higher and higher pay (which she has done) and if you use a recruitment consultant and build a relationship with them they will usually give you an idea of the figure being proposed but it's not easy at all. Always only be prepared to move for a substantially higher salary and don't under sell yourself. Make it clear early on the agent doing the hiring what you will be expecting to move.

Each move can be a risk as you might end up somewhere and not last beyond the trial period or hate the people or work so it needs to be a fairly big rise of a few thousand before it's worth the hassle. You also leave behind accrued maternity and unfair dismissal potential rights at each move. However too many women don't move jobs enough so do not get big pay rises which tend to come with taking that risk and moving jobs.

ShowMePotatoSalad · 29/04/2017 10:50

I always take it to mean it's either a pittance or a fortune. Nowhere in between.

trinitybleu · 29/04/2017 11:10

I find it amazing that a company will use an agency to recruit someone into a HR Officer/Administrator position

What if they don't have a HR Department right now? Or they don't want to do the initial sift and just want a shortlist to interview from? Or a headhunting approach? Or need someone to start next week so don't have time for an advert to run?

(Head of HR, stand alone, first HR person they've had )

PaperdollCartoon · 29/04/2017 11:11

brighteyes why would he say less than he was on? If we know a role usually pays X and someone's telling us they're on much less that would be a bit of a red flag. Why were they on much less than is usual? It's fine for him to say he was on X number and would like that, but is open to discussing salaries lower for the right role.

Brighteyes27 · 29/04/2017 13:13

Well he was extremely well paid before which he knew and also felt is was totally unrealistic to expect or receive this figure in this climate as more people in his field are also looking for work. I don't want to go into his line of work for fear of outing. But he felt if he revealed his previously salary that would take him out of the running completely. The positions he is applying for also vary etc etc.

BlueSkyBurningBright · 29/04/2017 13:40

I find it amazing that a company will use an agency to recruit someone into a HR Officer/Administrator position

Why would you find it amazing? That is what agencies do. Most of the high street agencies Adecco, Reed, Office Angels etc make their living out of admin roles. There are also lots of specialist HR agencies out there.

They use agencies as they can brief the agency on what they are looking for. The agency will be able to quickly identify candidates who are actively looking and meet the skills criteria. They can interview within days of briefing the agency and have the role filled quickly and easily. Using an agency does not cost them anything (for non exec roles) till the candidate starts.

They could pay out hundreds for an advert. Have a large response with over 80% not being remotely suitable. Spend a lot of time going through applications. Have unsuitable candidates come for interview. Not appoint anyone and then have to start again. At this stage they have wasted a lot of time and money. So it makes sense to use an agency.

ElisavetaFartsonira · 29/04/2017 14:22

YANBU. It's not ok.

I don't mind emailing to get an idea of salary, but if they won't disclose, they can go and fuck themselves. I'm busy.

Trills · 29/04/2017 14:30

Women DO ask for raises but they don't get what they ask for. (article on raises but could easily apply to job applications and negotiating salary there)

Women are forever being told that we should act more like men at work, but it's not as simple as that, because when we behave in a way where a man would be called "assertive", we are punished for being "aggressive".

Trills · 29/04/2017 14:33

@travailtotravel your link was great - and I followed it through to this article on how banning negotiations would be better for the gender pay gap

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