What if they find out my current earnings are low?

2008-11-14 by

They know you had low prior earnings? It could cost you the job or leave you open for a lowball offer. Your strategy to neutralize this is: early in the interview, say, “It’s too early for substantive talk about salary, but I think you’ll agree that I’m lower than other candidates, right? Well, I know I’m underpaid. That’s one of the biggest reasons I’m looking – to get my earnings more in line with what the actual salary averages are. I presume you’re most interested in how well the candidate can do the job more than picking the least expensive candidate, is that a fair statement? [Yes, of course.] Okay then I’m sure we’ll have no problem getting something competitive when the time comes.” Then switch the topic of conversation. “I know that top performance is what counts, in the end. What’s the biggest problem you have related to this position?”

Jack Chapman
Salary Negotiations

You’ll find Jack Chapman at TheLadders –
where you can Search 1,272 new $100k+ Jobs This Week!

Ask TaxMama
Where taxes are fun and answers are free
www.TaxQuips.com
The number ONE free tax podcast online
Job Advice of the Week
Courtesy of TheLadders.com
TaxMama's Career Bank
Find the best employees in the financial industries - tax, accounting, insurance...
TheLadders.com
Jobs paying $100,000 and up - Are YOU earning over $100K? WHY NOT?
TaxMama's EA Exam Review Course
A recession-proof career. And no degree required

# | Posted in AskTaxMama | Job Advice of the Week | Comments » (1)



All Comments RSS

  1. Rita Ashley Says:
    November 14th, 2008 at 10:56 am

    Another approach is, once you are asked about your salary, to give the number, mention the stock options or other $$ perks and acknowledge while it is a bit low for industry standard, the trade off is the large sphere of influence and [insert other benefit here]. Keep in mind, when they ask, it is NOT the begining of the negotiation.

Google Custom Search