Aibu to be suspicious/concerned

[Oxocuboid]

I recently applied for a job (still open for applications.) I am under the required experience by a year but could likely to the role anyway but thought I'd chance it not expecting to have passed the application process. It was advertised before but didn't have time to complete my application.

Anyway I then emailed the HR team with some queries that weren't addressed in their ad. They said they would be happy to discuss this at interview with me! This is obviously a bit of a bonus for me being under the experience threshold.

One of my queries was about pay as the ad didn't mention salary which I think should always be clear, nor did it provide a range.

AIBU to view this as a bit of a red flag?Surely to invite someone to interview without stating the basics that are vital to any role is a waste of their time and mine as I could decide £x isn't enough so why bother going. Maybe I'm just sceptical at my age!!

You’re not unreasonable to want to know - but I wouldn’t be assuming from that conversation that you’ve definitely got an interview, they haven’t said that, only that they will discuss it in interview ( if you see what I mean) - plenty of jobs leave things like salary discussion until interview. ( I also think it’s silly - how do you know if it’s worth applying ?!)

They did offer me an interview, sorry If that wasn't clear! Just might be a waste of time and my precious annual leave!

The interviewers are unlikely to want to waste their time, so I would suggest emailing back and giving an idea of the range you are looking for and politely saying you don't want to waste anyone's time if they cannot match your expectations. With standard waffle about how much you would like to work for them 😀

I've heard of this recently and it wasn't a good omen.
Common sense says there must be a reason they aren't publishing the salary and it definitely won't be for your benefit.
They'll probably give you some rhubarb it's to weed out greedy applications but realistically only reckless people or super wealthy don't care what a job pays. Unless it's some noble vocation I'd be very wary.

Over my working life, I have seen fewer job advertisements with a salary than I have without. So no I wouldn’t see it as a red flag, although recruitment in my field tends to be via agencies so it has been possible to establish a ballpark through them before spending any time on it.

Definitely a red flag! The basic salary will not be competitive which is why they don't want to tell you what it is yet...however, there might be other benefits or some kind of kudos to working there. If you do go, be prepared that you will have to be strong on your salary expectations and make sure you interview them as much as they are interviewing you. See it as a discussion and don't over commit to it before you meet them and hear more.

This is my concern that the expected salary is way above what they're offering. Will maybe take the advice and send a quick interested but no time wasting please!

So an update for all. I went to the interview yesterday. Really nice panel, didn't feel flustered or stressed. Questions answered could have asked more but ofc thought of them after!
I do think I'd take the role if offered! :)

Good luck!!

Were they offering the money you were expecting/hoping for?

I gave them a range of what is expect and they seemed with it, so I suppose any offer (if they do) will be at the bottom of my range (hopefully!)

Again... As we like an update

A job has been secured!!!! I could cry

Well done !!!

Congratulations, well done