first interview: to salary or not to salary

[WhoseHouse]

I always thought it was a universal rule- do not discuss salary during a first interview unless the interviewer brings it up first. So yesterday I have an interview and at the end I realize that it's the ONLY interview (I was under the impression that there would be at least two) and salary was never discussed. Afterwards, a couple of the people I talked to said they thought I should have brought it up because the interviewers were likely waiting for me to say something about it. I was really surprised at this. What's the general rule here? (If there is one)

 

[Stuck_At_Work]

You did the right thing not bringing it up. You always have time to discuss/negotiate salary once they offer.

 

[Fried JJ Pickles]

You are in a better salary negotiation position now. They've already selected you.

By not discussing salary beforehand, you don't have to worry about not being selected because your asking price was too high or someone low-balled.

 

[CaptainEd]

i think it really depends on the industry. compensation has come up in the first interview in every sales opportunity i've chased. of course it has always stayed vauge, i.e., if it's a 50/50 base/variable split i'm looking for $XXXk on target earnings and upside of $XXXk.

i think that's fine as i don't want to waste any time on something that will pay half of what i'm looking for or is weighted too heavily toward base or variable pay.

of course, conveniently enough, i've never been the one to start this line of questioning in a first interview.

 

[McLovin]

Usually - no. Certainly not for a professional position, although the sales field may be a different animal since territories, commissions et al are so relevant.

 

[The Dog]

lots of software related interviews now ask about money up front because they want to get the cheapest person possible.

 

[TheFied]

I have interviewed a couple of times and never brought up salary during the interviews. Only the hiring manager really knows numbers as it is. I always found out the salary in the offer and the 1st time I was happy to get an offer. The 2nd time I negotiated and didn't get them to budge on salary but did on bonus. Mind you these offers usually came ~1 week after the interview.

 

[DCLonghorn8]

It depends on the industry. I work in an area that if the entry level interviewee doesn't ask about salary, they become unpaid interns. But this is not common out in the real world.

 

[sawbonz]

Always ask up front about salary. And about how many days off you get.

 

[EuroHorn]

Wait for the formal offer. Then you can negotiate.

 

[ElJefe]

In reply to:

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[William Cannon]

What field are you in? It really depends on the field.

In most cases, you don't ask. Wait for the offer letter and negotiate from there.