Help! Invited to interview but no idea of salary range

[Birdy28]

I applied for a job that I really didn't think I would get an interview for.

They emailed me this morning inviting me to an interview.

However I have absolutely no idea of the salary range .

Is it really bad form to ask before the interview?

Bump

I wouldn't personally regard it as bad form. The interview would be a waste of everyone's time if there is no way you would accept the salary on offer.

I'd definitely call and ask - you should be able to find out from HR rather than the person who will be interviewing you. Best to find out upfront rather than be asked what your salary expectations are at interview, and end up either selling yourself short or asking for too much. If you need to give a reason, just say it's for comparison with another job.

IThere is no way I would go to an interview without knowing the salary and I would refuse to go if they wouldn't tell me. Like prh says is a waste of time if there is no way you would do the job on the salary offered.

Ring HR and explain you need to know before attending and don't accept any of this 'we'll pay what we need to for the right candidate'. They will have a range with an upper limit.

Google for similar jobs and see whether there are any associations that do salary surveys before calling HR.

Ask what the range is. Waste of time all around if it isn't what you'd consider.

Be prepared though to either disclose your current salary or state what you want. They might throw it back to you rather than confirming esp if it is "salary based on experience" etc.

Congrats on securing the interview. Good luck.

IMO it's bad form to expect candidates to commit time and money for an interview without having any idea whether the salary is appropriate for them.

So yes, ask.

Thanks all. I wish they stated these things on the job ads even if it was just a range.

I bit the bullet and called them this afternoon but dressed it up in a 'it's hard to know what level of experience you are looking for as in this sort of role the salary gives an indication of experience' kind of thing.

As expected they turned it around on me so I gave them an indication of what I am looking for which they said should be fine so interview is set .

Just need to think of a reason why I need I need to leave work early that day...

Good luck Birdy - take a half day holiday for Christmas shopping?

Or the gas man is coming to fix the boiler?

Smear test?

Or [groin]

(Best of British, Birdie)

Best of luck! Ask them at interview agai. What the range is as you don't want to get less than what they would offer.

I had an interview last week and on the application put in my range and at interview discussed local market and my potential manager said they'd offer more than I asked. I spent the last 5 years being angry about being underpaid and it's not a great position to be in.

Bummer.

Just had an email from them advising that the salary is 8k less than what I am looking for (and advised them of yesterday which they said would be fine).

It's not worth going for the interview now is it? I really couldn't afford to take the pay cut

I really, really hate job hunting

Unless you try and negotiate a pay rise after a trial period? I would go to the interview as sometimes these things can lead to other opportunities. Something could come up later that might be more suited to your experience. They may offer other benefits which might be worth the pay cut - I'd go just for interview practice if nothing else!

I think I'm going to decline the interview.

They know what I am looking for and I think they are expecting me to pull out. I have read a few things online which suggests they don't increase pay regularly so if I took it and they don't increase pay then I will be up a creek without a paddle in 6 months.

It's just all very frustrating as you get your hopes up and then the goalposts move

How annoying of them! But agree it is better to with draw now.

Assumedly the salary on the table is their 'best offer' in terms of trying to attract quality candidates...which is worrying.

It suggests to me that their pay is below market rate and even if you managed to get them to go up a little it is unlikely they'd better your current salary. There are very few good reasons for going through the stress of moving jobs for less money!

Good luck with the job hunt.