Salary questions in an interview

[alrightfella]

I have an interview tomorrow the first in a very long time.

It's a paid by the hour role which is how I am paid now. The advert gave quite a between X & X salary per hour so I would assume that may depend on experience? I earn towards the top end of what they are offering currently.

Are they likely to ask me what I currently earn (do I need to be truthful?!) or what I would expect as a salary?

Don’t discuss salary at the interview. Discuss the job, get it, then tell them what you want.

They may well ask either question.

If asked then be truthful about what you earn now but if you want more than that, ask for it.

e.g. "I earn £10 an hour now so would be looking for something higher than that to move"

Well you need to be truthful as your P45 from your current position will show your salary up to date this tax year
A family member is currently looking at alternative appointments. She tells them what salary she is expecting as there would be no point in going forward if they can't match the salary you are looking for.

I disagree with Persona - if you want eg £50 / hour and they are only offering £40 absolute max it's pointless for both parties to carry on.

Would you accept if they offered you the top level?

Don't discuss the salary in the interview unless they do. The interview is to find out whether you are the best person for the job and whether you want the job.
If they bring up the subject just be honest, say what you are currently earning and that you would be looking at the top end of the x-x span that they advertised. Otherwise, wait to see if you are the successful candidate and then do the same.
Good luck!

Brilliant thank you. I wasn't going to bring it up unless they did. I just find talking about salaries uncomfortable!

On the flip side of this, I found salaries uncomfortable to talk about, had a very British, very female approach to just accepting the salary and not talking about awkward money things.

Then last year I realised that other people are paid a lot more than I was for a similar job, had the awkward conversation and got a pay rise. Since then I've had a promotion and one of the first things I did when it was offered was negotiate the salary. I learned from that the negotiation was expected, that I'd been falling into the trap of being low balled and accepting it. In 12 months, with the same company my salary has increased by 60%.

I've spoken to a number of high level male colleagues and they've been astonished that I didn't previously negotiate my salary early in the interview process and have said that's one of the first things they address, because if the company aren't willing to pay what they need then what's the point of continuing the dialogue!

Why do you find salaries uncomfortable to talk about? It's just a financial transaction.
If you went into a shop to buy something would you feel uncomfortable asking the price?
Remove the personal/emotional element from the discussion. They want someone to do a job and are willing to pay £x-x. You want to do the job and are willing to take £y. They agree or not, you agree or not.