AIBU To ask how to negotiate salary and hours in an interview

[Boomclaps]

I’m being quite vague, because I think it could be potentially outing, but happy to clarify if needs be, but I also hope this makes sense...

So, I am a professional (you need a degree and postgrad study to work in this feild) who has taken 18 months away from work, as I’ve had DD.
A role has come up, in an organisation that I have previously volunteered in, supporting the role I used to do in another organisation.
I was previously interviewed for the professional role here, and was down to the final 2, they said I was easily appointable, but that I was slightly more nervous than the other candidate, but that they’d love to have me on a bank basis, so I did bank and volunteer stuff with them until I had DD.

I’ve got an interview on Friday The post is advertised as FT, but the team have said that PT would actually work really well for them, so that one isn’t a massive deal, but the payscale for the role has an almost 10k difference from top to bottom. (But the top is still 3 thousand less than the bottom of the payscale for my qualified role)
It’s worth noting that in this organisation there is very little difference in the duties done between qualified and unqualified staff members
How do you negotiate where on the scale you’re paid? I couldn’t afford to take on less than the mid point, but I don’t know how to say that without being and arsehole.

Any advice gratefully recieved.

I would wait until offered the job to negotiate salary, unless you're specifically asked in the interview.
If asked the interview I'd say "taking into account my experience and qualifications I feel pay commensurate to the top of the band would be what I'm looking for."
In terms of hours just say what you've said here. That its advertised as FT but as the team have said PT is also okay that if you're offered the job you'd love to come to an agreeable arrangement that suits both of you.

I typically would make sure the salary range and hours were acceptable to me before going to the interview, as otherwise it wastes everyone's time. As its on Friday, I assume you're prepared and going anyway now though!

I guess you can discuss working pattern/hours at the interview. If they bring it up great, if they don't make it ONE of your questions. Not the only one 'focus on the particulars of the role and work environment too', and not a last 'oh by the way as that looks odd when its clearly crucial to you accepting the job.

Salary, i would normally wait until you've been made an offer as this is generally a complex decision that isn't just up to the person interviewing. Then, unless they've hugely exceeded your expectations already, ask for more. Just say OK, thank you for the offer, I'd like to consider it. Salary-wise, based on the role and my experience I was expecting £X. Then let them make the next move. Know what your bottom line is where you'll turn the job down (but don't disclose that of course) If they come back saying we can only do £Y, and Y is above that threshold, ask if they can meet you halfway or throw in some non-monetary benefits. Say you'll consider.

Don't disclose your last salary under any circumstances! Its in no way relevant to this job.

Sorry, to be clear. I have made it clear I would happily take full time but that part time would work better for me.
I don’t need to disclose my last salary, they’ll be aware of it due to the feild.

I think I need to probably elaborate though. It’s a job in a pupil referral centre in a large school. I’m a SEND teacher, They’re advertising for a TA or HLTA. I would need to be paid as a HLTA if that makes sense. I was a level 4 HLTA prior to training as a teacher

I'd never negotiate these things in an interview situation, much as I will never divulge openly that I have children during an interview. Wait until you're offered it, then negotiate.

You wait until offered. Then present your position with reference to what the market pay is for the duties you are expected to perform.

You need to be prepared to walk away if they won't pay competitively.

I think it would be quite easy for you OP as you’re massively overqualified and they’ll be getting a massive bargain hiring you even as an HLTA.

But what as the OP says if the question of salary comes up in the interview?

Is the job advertised as a TA position? It could be that there is only budget for a TA, not an HLTA, so I think I’d ask in interview where there is scope to expand the role to that of an HLTA, bearing in mind your skillset?

Thanks wanda thats a good plan. I was approached by the head to apply. They know I have dd so there’s no point in hiding that x

In all honesty I would ring up beforehand and ask, is this a job for a TA level 1,2 or 3, or an HLTA? Usually they specify this when they addertise. If it’s 1-3 you may as well withdraw your application and quite honestly state that you’re looking for a job that pays more.

Just seen your reply. Good luck!x

You do not negotiate hours or salary in an interview. I have never heard of this being discussed in an interview in my three decades in the workforce on both sides of the table. The interviewer doesn’t want that discussion face to face any more than you do.

• Need to correct my above post. I wouldn’t discuss salary in the interview, I would try to establish the hours before interview.

They’ve advertised for “LSA, HLTA or Unqualified teacher - salary £16,000 to £26,500 actual, (inclusive of SEN Allowance)”

That was the Ad title.
Hence my conundrum

Re hours, I said I’m happy with full or part time and can be flexible, so that’s less of a problem, I just don’t know how or when to talk about pay

If they do the traditional "are you still a firm candidate"/"if we offer you the post, would you accept", that would be your cue to say that it would depend on the salary offered. That might lead to a discussion in the interview, or they may just note that there might need to be discussion if/when they offer the post.

I applied for a post a bit like this (qualified/unqualified teacher), but it said "salary to be discussed at interview", so I asked. They said at that point that they didn't know what qualifications the applicants would have, clearly wanting to give me the impression that a qualified teacher would get qualified pay. However a qualified teacher offered the other post was offered peanuts. She turned it down, and after some to-ing and fro-ing they offered teacher rates - by which point she'd accepted a post elsewhere.

The school will know that if they offer you too low a salary, you'll be on the lookout for posts elsewhere, and they may lose you after a term or two - unless, of course, it is the most brilliant place ever to work. It's good that you're being clear that you would be happy to do full-time, if only because then they know it will be easier for you to find other posts to apply for!

You apply and if they ask your salary expectations then you say it would be at the top end of the scale. If your an sen qualified teacher then you have the experience to be paid the 26k for the role.

As others have said, wait until you’re offered to role to talk about salary.
I’ve said the phrase ‘I’m looking towards the top end of your scale’ before, and I was offered that.

Thanks everyone. I feel much clearer now, if it comes up at interview I’ll use ‘I’m looking towards the top end of your scale“ and if it doesn’t and I’m offered the post, and they ask if I would like to accept I can then say “that would be dependent where on the payscale we would be looking at, given my qualifications and experience I would be looking towards the top of the scale.”

Thanks again everyone

I expect they probably won’t even discuss pay with you and automatically put you on the bottom of the scale (I have worked and interviewed in schools for a long time!)
Once you have been offered the job, that is when I would say something like “can we discuss the pay?” Then negotiate hard. If you don’t do it then it will be too late. They will most likely offer the job on the same day as the interview. Say that you think you should be paid at that top of the band because of x experience you can bring to the role. If they want you, they will pay it.
Having interviewed many times, in my experience, if you don’t bring it up, they will just put you at the bottom of the scale. Then you will have to go through performance management each year to earn your pay rise so do negotiate at the interview.
You deserve it! (Remember in the back of your head, a man would probably do it without thinking whereas typically women are much less likely to ask for more pay. You can do it!)