Interview Question

they already know how much you make, since they interview many people who are just like you and probably work for the same (or very similar) firms. you bet they know all the market salary figures. they just want to test you to see how honest you are, or to see if you're one of the "hard to work with" troublemakers who refuse to tell them.

Ok, then why change jobs for $1,000 to $4,000 per year?. Actually according to Salaray.com, my range is $30,000 to $58,000. That's quite a spread. Let's just say I am closer to $30k than $58K.

As to whether or not I am difficult to work with, I have a written reference from my previous employer.

Let me tell you what happened to a friend of mine: He changed jobs for about $3,500 per year, but he is supposed to work 45 hours per week. His old job, the salary was based on 40 hours per week. He now makes less per hour. I contend he told them he made and they added $3,500 per year to his offer. I contend if they really wanted a quality employee, they should make a generous offer.

"Dean" wrote

Are you implying that your friend would do higher quality work if he only had a higher salary?

D> When job interviewing, I find many employers will ask what you D> currently make. The tend to offer 3,000 - $4,000 per year more in D> annual salary. In fact, I one employer who offered $1,000 more per D> year.

D> So, is it inappropriate to refuse to tell a potential employer what D> you D> currently make?

One of the techniques I learned early on was to make them give you a number first. That puts the ball in your court to add on since it is common for the first offer to be a little low. When asked about my current salary, I try and give them the "big picture" number. Something that includes my salary, health benefits, vacation, etc. The point is to give them an idea of what you make, but also let them know that you consider other things besides cash. But if you need to focus solely on the bottom line, get them to start throwing around numbers.

a) They have the power and knowledge. Why should they be stupid enough to give you a number first?

b) Why do accountants always talk so much about "salary", much more so than any other group of white collar workers? Do you guys enjoy your job?

Salary comes up for me because I have access to payroll records. I see what others make. So I guess it seems unfair at times that certain individuals just end up making more for simular jobs and responsibilities.

I am implying the company came out ahead because of the negotiation tactics used. That lead me to the real question here: Should current pay be a discussion point during the interview?

Also, it seems to be more trouble for a company with a hight turnover.

for a group of people who don't make much -- compared to lawyers, doctors, businessmen, bankers, actors, and even waiters -- CPAs are certainly obsessed with counting the pennies on their meager salary!

For a loudmouth with no proof of your self proclaimed 'hotshot' status, you sure do run your mouth like a 3 year old.

So, do you parents know you're up this late?

you sound jealous. you should be.

Probably you haven't ever had a job interview other than your local McDonald's. But if you go to college and get a degree, and are interviewing for a professional job, then you have the "power". They are interviewing you because they need your skills. They want to sell you on their company. This becomes more true as you gain seniority, assuming you're also getting better at your job.

Again, if you ever actually engage in a professional job search, you'll know that salary negotiating is part of it, and that the difference between a 3% raise and a 2% raise at annual review time is a big deal.

Also, you're crossposting in sci.math, which as far as I know does not have many (any?) accountants.

- Randy

There was another guy here in sci.math a couple of months ago who claimed to be an investor and would talk about all the math PhDs he hired. He never denied my accusations that he was a

16-year-old with delusions of grandeur. I think this may be the same guy.

- Randy

jj> For a loudmouth with no proof of your self proclaimed 'hotshot' jj> status, jj> you sure do run your mouth like a 3 year old.

jj> So, do you parents know you're up this late?

If he has this much time to troll around, it is obvious it has no real job. Remember, the monkey makes a lot of noise and show to hide his own cowardice.

job, then you have the "power". They are interviewing you because they need your skills.

buddy, if you have an unusual talent, like barry bonds, nicole kidman, or a brain surgeon, then you are in high demand. there must be

1,000,000 accountants in the USA, with hundreds of thousands of them having CPAs. There are more accountants than auto workers. I would not be surprised if there are more accountants than Macdonald employees!

As a cpa, you are easily REPLACEABLE. In the eyes of any big firm, you are more easily replaceable than a good janitor. If you've ever worked in a big firm, you know they turn over manpower all the time. Power?? hahahahahaha...

professional job, then you have the "power". They are interviewing you because they need your skills.

I repeat: if you ever earn a professional degree and go on a professional interview, you will learn that the interview process is two-way. The interviewer is selling his/her company to you.

I'm not a CPA.

- Randy

That's a free market / free agent system.

This is true, because they want to sucker youngster in, work them hard at low wages, and then REPLACE them after a few years with NEW, young eager beavers.

If the job is such a "buy", the interviewer wouldn't have to SELL it to you like a shiny red car. There is no free lunch.

Let me repeat: you have virtually no negotiation power as an entry level peon. Sure, maybe you push them to give you an extra $1K. But next year, they just cut back on your raise or your bonus, and you're back to where you started from. So, why bother?