LA job, at what point would you discuss salary?

[DiamondShape]

I applied ages ago (months) and assumed I'd been unsuccessful. Since then I'm happier in my current job and not quite so keen to move, although I would for a good opportunity. I've just heard I have an interview.

The advertised salary scale has about £6k between top and bottom.

My current salary is a few hundred pounds more than the bottom, so TBH I wouldn't take the job unless they offer close to the top.

Do I tell them that now and save everyone wasting their time (including me) if it's out of the question (I know they usually assume people will start at the bottom) or should I just do the interview and see? Do I mention it at interview or wait to see if there's an offer?

My la offers bottom of grade as standard but can offer higher in exceptional circumstances, subject to senior management approval. I’ve managed to do this as my work area is technical with a very small pool of suitably qualified people.

No harm in asking but money very scarce at the moment, with recruitment freezes. Good luck!

I don't think this is one to ask about at the interview. Do you have specific/extensive experience to bring to the role? Professional registration? Unless you've got some sort of 'justification' for going in higher I think they are likely to start you at or near the bottom of the scale.

This is why I wonder if I should mention it now. If it's out of the question, I won't waste my time or theirs.

OTOH they could say no if I ask now, but discover I'm such an exceptional candidate 😆 they'll bend their own rules if I leave it.

The main "justification" would be that if they want me they'll have to pay it, I won't take the job otherwise. Which, if they have other strong candidates might be fine, but I also know that the public sector has terrible recruitment problems currently and I do tick every box on the person spec with extensive experience and relevant professional qualifications.

They won’t be sure they want to offer you more than the lowest salary until they’ve interviewed you

My LA wouldn't move except for the higher SO grades and even then it would be exceptional circumstances.
It's usual however to move to the second increment after 6 months and then move up each increment annually on the 1st April.

Then you need to be prepared to discuss your experience and qualifications and how this justifies a higher salary. If it's a lower grade appointment I think you're less likely to get more. Some LA jobs are very generic but then there are other incredibly unique ones and having any experience whatsoever is a bonus. It doesn't hurt to ask if they make you an offer.

Of course, that goes without saying. It's a SO post.

Did anyone else think you were moving to Los Angeles 😳

I think it very much depends on the role to be honest. As @TidyDancer says there are some very niche local authority roles. If it’s a role that they’ll get plenty of applicants in, then they might get someone who is happy to start at the bottom of the grade.

I’d expect to discuss salary when an offer has been made usually.

If the advert was months ago the advertised salary scale will have increased by £1925 on each point since then as the pay award for 2022 was only agreed in November. At the organisation I work for it’s bottom of grade as standard but we have made exceptions before, always due to a combination of good candidate and hard to fill post.

I’d tell them ahead of time. But it’s got to be more than just letting them know you won’t move for less than the top. You should start building the case that you deserve top pay.

For example: “Thank you for your offer to interview. I’m really interested in learning more about … and showing you how my … experience is going to help you do … job requirement. I am aware that the job listing stated a salary range of A-B. I wanted to call attention to my qualification …, proven ability to …, … years of experience in …. Because of this I would be looking for a salary above X. Can you confirm that you would be willing to conduct the interview on this basis?”

Yes, I was wondering about the payrises. I applied early Oct and the closing date was mid Oct, then nothing.

I wonder if they didn't get a stong pool or maybe had so many applicants it's taken this long to shortlist! AFAIK they've never readvertised.

It's a new post so maybe they just weren't in a rush, but now they want to interview the day before Christmas Eve!

Yes! Was going to live vicariously through the OP.

That was supposed to be a response to @TurboMam

Personally, I'd wait until the interview. They are more likely to respond positively if you've just impressed them! It would also depend on closely your experience co-relates - they are more likely to pay more for matching skills (ie using same software, processes, area of work) than they are for transferable skills (high level functioning with different software, processes, etc).

Personally I'd wait until job offer because that way they've already identified you have all the skills they're looking for and you are best candidate.
But if you want to mention it sooner then I agree with PPs to bring it up at interview. When they ask at end if you have any questions you could ask a couple of questions relevant to the job and then bring up the pay scale, point out what you are currently earning and that you certainly wouldn't be able to afford to take a pay cut in current climate if you were successful.

My LA offers bottom if they can but budget for mid. A fair few get recruits on top so it's possible if you are an exceptional candidate 😁