Salary

Hey y’all. Apologies for not being around for a while but am BACK!

First of all, I’m not clear why people get overly excited about a new year. I mean we get the same January we had the previous year, same number of days and yet, people are so excited like it’s something new. It isn’t, am I missing something here. I personally feel sorry for these people. They get broke in January and ask why. Mind you it’s a pattern and happens every year; now that’s my definition of insanity. Doing something over and over and expecting different results.

Another thing, does one have to have most things new as a new year comes by. I mean from clothes, to partners to jobs to salary upgrades. Can’t one get all of this within the year or January just has this promise that it seems to somehow evade fulfilling it. This brings me to my topic of today and that is salaries.

These are helpful particularly for those attending interviews or are poached from their jobs by competitors. There are just pointers to guide you on how to answer that question; what salary range are you looking for?

Basically, this question is to gauge whether a firm can afford you and what value you place on yourself. For first timers in a job interview, they tend to overlook the actual question and undervalue their worth so as to get a job. If you go too low, you might not get the job and same goes for over valuing self.

You need to be within the company salary range for that position. I know what you’re asking; how the hell am I supposed to know their salary range? Well, there is no short cut to this one. You have to do research. Call the company/ visit the company and ask. It should be part of your research about the company before the interview. You need to be thorough. Get as much information as possible. The highest paid and the lowest paid in that position or department.

Interview question about salary come in various forms.

 RULE TO NOTE: NEVER BE THE FIRST TO GIVE A FIGURE.

Here are some examples of how you go about it;

1.     Qn. What salary range are you looking for?

Good Answer. Let’s talk about the job requirements and its expectations first so as I can get a sense of what you need? (Shut up, and listen without interrupting.)

2.     Qn. What did you make in your last job?

Bad Answer; KES 45,000. Don’t be tricked to proudly announcing your salary, instead, try this

Good Answer. This job is not exactly the same as my last job. So let’s discuss what my responsibilities would be here and then determine a fair salary for this job.

3.     Qn. What are you expecting to make in terms of salary?

Bad Answer: USD/KES/ EURO 100,000 p.a/ p.m.

Good answer. I am interested in finding a job that is a fit for me. I’m sure whatever salary you’re paying is consistent with the rest of the market.

4.     Trick Qn. I need to know what salary you want in order to make you an offer. Can you tell me a range?

Bad Ans. Yes. My range is between X and Y.

Good Answer. I’d appreciate it if you could make me an offer based on your budget for this position and then we can go from there.

By this time, the interviewer will try and give you enough rope for you to hang yourself by simply asking;

5.      Qn. Why don’t you want to give your salary requirement/ range?

Ans.  I know you have a good idea of what this position is worth to your company and that is important information for me to know.

GOLDEN RULE: HOLD YOUR POSITION AND YOU’LL WIN.

 

They might quote a figure way above your expectations or way below. Emphasis on your job description and use it as a basis of valuing yourself in regard to that position.