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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Is it acceptable to ask about pay at interview?

39 replies

Fastandfree · 13/10/2019 20:41

Evening all

I've not had a proper interview in 9 years, back then it was a big no no to ask about pay at interview, is that still the case? Or is there a sensible way to ask?

Last time I was offered the job via email and even then I wasnt told about pay I had to ask which felt awkward and I'd rather try and find out about it sooner.

This is a new role in a new company so I'm struggling to guess what it might be. I quite like my current job so pay would be a deciding factor

OP posts:

readingismycardio · 14/10/2019 08:25

Unimaginably sorry

PippiDeLena · 14/10/2019 08:30

Agree with previous posters, call them before the interview and ask what the salary range on offer is. I used to work for a recruitment agency and people did this all the time; we never thought any less of those candidates, it's just sensible. Though I will say that if a job advertisement doesn't have a salary range on, and they are cagey about amounts when you call them, it's because the salary is going to be crap.

eurochick · 14/10/2019 08:34

I'm surprised by these answers. I have changed jobs a few times and done a LOT of interviewing for various organisations and I have never asked or been asked in the interview. Ime its a follow up discussion once you have an offer - by then they are bought into you. If the job is through an agent they can have the discussion for you, which can make it easier to aim high.

GemmeFatale · 14/10/2019 08:37

I wouldn’t attend an interview if I wasn’t sure they could pay me at a level I was happy with

momtoj · 14/10/2019 08:38

I once had a job interview with no idea of pay (I worked in education but this was private so I wasn’t sure). After the interview, she asked me to come to a second, all-day interview so I replied could I get some more information on pay as I didn’t feel comfortable committing without knowing more. She withdrew her offer saying she didn’t employee money people motivated by money!

custardbear · 14/10/2019 08:38

They may ask you want pay you want -
Know your market - if you're currently on say £50k and you're top of your field, this job has more responsibilities then say you're currently on 50k but these responsibilities are more because of XYZ so you think you'd be keen to be on £60k plus (or whatever is right for the field and industry)
Good luck

Damntheman · 14/10/2019 08:39

dodged a bullet there I suspect momtoj!

thinkfast · 14/10/2019 09:16

Why would anyone go to an interview without having an idea of the salary range beforehand? Could be a massive waste of everyone's time if it isn't within your expectations.

milliefiori · 14/10/2019 09:17

I would call HR beforehand and ask. No point in going for the interview if the rate they are going to offer is below what you expect.

TipseyTorvey · 14/10/2019 10:52

I'm waiting to go in for an interview right now. I certainly asked before I got to this point but I phrased it as 'the range'. I tend not to specifically negotiate salary in interviews but will get to the serious bartering once I'm offered the job via email or phone. Make sure you ask about all aspects not just pay, holidays, bonus, health, pension, shares etc etc.

thecatsthecats · 14/10/2019 11:00

I would never go to the effort of applying for a job if I didn't know the approximate wage bracket to within 10k. I'm not a fucking charity.

My husband mentioned his company - a Big 4 accountant - were recruiting in an area I have expertise in.

There were three roles. No salaries attached. All different job titles. All identical job descriptions and person requirements.

You could have ordered the roles by seniority in at least two different ways. No way of knowing what different responsibility or level of expertise needed. How you were supposed to select the appropriate role was beyond me.

JudyDenchsBloomers · 14/10/2019 11:00

I'm sure you wouldn't do this, but please don't let it be the first thing you ask about before you sit down. I was doing a round of interviews once and we had one candidate, before she'd even sat down ask if it was over X amount because it wouldn't be worth her time otherwise. We were a bit . There are ways of asking but before she'd even taken her coat off was a bit much.

toomuchtooold · 14/10/2019 11:02

I would usually ask after being offered the job but before accepting it. Unless the interview is going to be a massive faff.

Swer987 · 14/10/2019 13:04

Definitely ask. The salary wasnt listed for my current role. A few days before my interview I called the manager and asked her. She was vague on the call and said we like to discuss this in the interview. I asked for a general idea as I wont waste your time if its not what Im after. She gave a maximum figure, which was then agreed in the interview.

A few weeks later she commented that I was the only one to ask and was impressed I had the nerve to ask! Didnt think it was a big deal to be honest.

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