When companies don't advertise the salary for a vacancy

[onthejobhunt101]

I'm currently job-hunting and applying for roles across a couple of sectors to keep my options open as far as possible. I've noticed that many companies are really coy about potential/starting salary to the point of refusing to talk about it. It's starting to drive me mad!

I've even spoken to the 'contact person' named in the advert itself to no avail - I've been told that salary is to be discussed at interview and not before, even though there are lengthy pre-interview tests and application forms. I've also been asked what I expect the salary to be - isn't it more about what the work and additional responsibilities etc are worth?

Surely it's in everyone's interests to advertise at least a salary range? Then the applicant knows if it's worth applying for and the company knows that they'll attract applicants whose qualifications and experience are befitting of that kind of salary. It seems potentially a waste of time and energy to fill out a five-page application form and go through all the screening tests to find out then that the salary was nowhere near what you expected.

Sorry for the rant, it's just been getting me down. Does anyone else have experience of this?

But then, negotiating skills are an important element of many roles

But then, lack of transparency leads to gender pay gap and major, unjustified regional differences in pay. It also allows shitty employers (and shitty recruiters who enable them) get away with paying candidates peanuts.

So, yeah, good luck with your "negotiation skills", they sure solve the above.

Also - absolutely do not disclose your current salary, there's no such obligation. I was asked that question earlier this year, point blank refused, turns out the job was paying £25k more because it was in a slightly (but not majorly) different location. Don't put yourselves on the back foot just to fill others' pockets.

Every job I've gone for has hidden the salary. Always just says 'competitive'. Annoying but normal now.

It's difficult as I was going from a £18k a year job to a big jump once I qualified. But people in that range can earn anything from £21k to £45k so I had no idea what to ask. I ended up asking for £26k and they gave me £28k so they didn't take the piss.

I do wonder what I'd have got if I asked for £30k though... and will be asking for it next time.

Just seen on Twitter that there is a campaign backed by several organisations, including the Institute of Fundraising, #ShowTheSalary
A lot of momentum on this issue right now. Perhaps the few time waster HR/Recruitment people who did this habitually might have a rethink.

I don’t have reading comprehension.

Glad you've admitted your problem!

@Mia1415

I'm HR and often we don't put the range because there isn't one. If the right candidate comes along we will pay what they are asking for (within reason).

So you'd pay a million? No? Well there is a range then!

@ZoeTurtle

I don’t have reading comprehension.

Glad you've admitted your problem!

What is this, a high school playground?

I am a teacher and this is rife in education - which is bizarre as schools almost always have salary scales - so why not disclose them ahead of time?! I was actually offered a job a year or so back in a private school where they still hadn't disclosed the salary and I'd already decided not to take it as frankly, if it had been any good, they'd have a) mentioned it and b) not spent such ages showing me the sporting facilities that staff were allowed to use (which I wouldn't have used due to childcare and the distance away I lived).

Schools also tend to be when you negotiate salary, but the thing about scales is, you don't want to keep starting at the bottom if you can avoid it.

It is annoying, but if I really like the sound of a job I would go for an interview regardless and just do my utmost to make them think they really want and need me for the job and then tell them what salary I want if I get the offer. I definitely asked for more than the salary band in my current job but my Manager managed to get the Company to agree to overshooting the budget as I was the right person for the job. I think if they want you enough, they might rather find some extra money than keep interviewing or starting the recruitment process again. On another occasion, the recruiters did counter with a lower offer and wouldn’t budge so I accepted a pay cut because it was a great job and would look good on my CV so it hasn’t always worked but it still turned out to be a good decision. I know the process is time consuming, but I think it is always worth going for it as they may remember you for another better paying position further down the line, even if it doesn’t work out on that occasion.