I don't know. I have limited experience (only 2 job interviews ever got to that stage with me). But, in academia, there is usually a pay scale for a particular job set by the institution that is really not very flexible. Is there more flexibility in the corporate world? I'm not talking executives, I'm talking about going out and hiring a "UNIX Systems Administrator Grade II"... is there really any flexibility in salary (except downward flexibility, of course)?

"All of it."

"All of it."

???????

I dunno. It seemed pithy at the time.

(if talking to HR) I am of the understanding that a fair market value for this position, with someone of my experience and quality, is $X (per year assumed). I base this on salary reviews I've read, and what salaries are advertised for similar positions. For example, I'm sure you're aware, your competitor just advertised for an X at $X a year.

(if talking to actual prospective boss) I just want fair market value for someone of my experience and calibre. I've been at jobs where I know I'm doing great things for the company, making the company a lot of money in turn, and they failed to reward that, it really bothered me.

Damn, Cyrano, maybe I should send you on my next interview!

"I know I'm doing great things for the company, making the company a lot of money in turn, and they failed to reward that, it really bothered me."

Hmmm... As a boss I 'd think how soon that person will start asking me about reward :)

And as an employee, that's exactly what I want you to always be thinking. Then you address it without me asking :)

"And as an employee, that's exactly what I want you to always be thinking"

Maybe, you're right. I'm so confused what to say and what not to say on interview.:(

I always just answer that it's negotiable, and make them make an offer first. If it's too low you can always balk and ask for a higher one, and at that point I think you have a better chance of getting it because they've already sort of mentally committed to hiring you.

But it's probably really just because I rarely have a good idea of what I'm worth.

TAKE A NOTE PAD WITH YOU.

write your questions down ahead of time

write down everything you can think of to ask for as compensation. not the $$ so much as the items....health care, 401, salary, dental, office space, sick/vacation time, etc.

when the topic of compensation comes up, ask them to tip their hand first. Ask what they plan to offer the best candidate. compare this to your list. when they tell you, be silent and count to 30 in your head. silence is the single most effective negotiating tool i know of. the interviewer might get uncomfortable, and bump himself up a bit.

let them know that you were thinking of a number more like 10% higher than they offer, even if the number sounds good to you, but, at the same time, let them know you can be flexible about that if everything else fits.

Ask to tour the office and meet some of the other employees. dont worry about meeting people, try to lok at the people at a distance as they work, and read body language. take note of how they react to the boss's prescence.

always alway always make good eye contact. firm handshake. smell good. light musk, or food based perfumes are best if seeing a man, flowery if a woman.

and good luck, case, i'm sure you'll do well. oh,and put your hair up if you want to look older.

These are some really good tips. Thank you.

As far as salary, here is how it has gone:

interviewer #1 asked me what I would like as far as salary and I gave her a range that I consider to be high for the position. But for a comparable position at my current company, it is about right (for external applicants.) She told me what the band was for the position and it was about 10k lower (but still higher than what I currently make.)

Interviewer #2 verified what I was asking for and told me the band was from a lower amount to a much higher amount than what interviewer #1 said. Basically, my asking salary was within this range. She also said that usually employees are offered up toward the high end. But she asked me if I was still interested if they couldn't offer what I asked for.

Both of these people are HR reps.

Here's my thought on this: The range the first person gave me is probably negotiable beyond what interviewer #1 stated. So, I would like to find a way to push that.

Also, my situation is as follows: At my current employer, I make much less than I am suppose to, even by their own standards. Because of pay freezes, job levelling and salary band widening, I never got brought to the level I am suppose to be. My colleagues make at least 16k more than me, because they were hired externally and I was promoted through the ranks, without pay increases. If there is discussion about pay, should I explain this? I worry that if I tell them what I currently make, they will think they can get me cheap.

Damn, LJ, you wanna be my agent?

Of course, I will be asking you to wear flowery perfume if my interviewer happens to be female. I'll just introduce you as Lumberjingles.

First rule of sales - know who's making the decision. Its been my experience that HR people have almost no involvement in the hiring decision. Also, in most cases, the salary comes out of the payroll budget for the department with which you are interviewing and, therefore, the manager makes the call. So, its the negotiation with #3 that counts. #s 1 and 2 were just practice.

If I make it past #3, there will probably be an interview #4. Let's hope that will be the last. I don't have that many suits.