Was this salary reasonable?

[rose45]

I recently had an interview for a job that I really want. (HR Assistant)

 

On the phone they asked my salary and i said it's negotiable to show it's more about the role itself that is important to me.

 

They asked again during the interview and i felt sort of stuck at that point..i have read you shouldn't give a range and i said 40k. I added that i said its negotiable because the role itself and level of responsibility to me is more important. She still introduced me to someone else afterwards so i guess it is still within their range? Is this too much money for an hr assistant? i have a degree and more than 6 years of experience with admin type work but not hr. I feel i should be making more but with this job it's more about the opportunity that is important to me, not the money.

 

I just hope this isn't out of their budget..the requirements does mention a diploma or degree with or experience.

 

So i am worried they will offer it to someone else at a lower salary..i mentioned negotiable again just in case--maybe they can still offer it to me and see what i think atleast.

[ShortyJones]

What's your reasoning for requesting 40 a year? I ask because where I live, 40 would have knocked you out. I do believe that an HR generalist position is around $14-$15 an hour. Depends on the market and the economy and your resume, skill set and of course how awesome you are, depends on what they offer.

 

They will probably counter offer if they really like you, expect lower though if so.

[carhill]

I don't interview for jobs but have sat in as a consultant on interviews and IMO it's a good idea to understand both the job and benefits before naming your price. Crunch your numbers beforehand, qualify the local marketplace (do research) and go into the interview asking clear questions, qualifying the employer and name your requested compensation with confidence.

 

Largely, this is the same way I bid jobs (my version of an employment interview).

[Eddie Edirol]

For that position, the most they want to give you is between 28k and 34k. So 40 would put you out of the running.

[carhill]

IME, salaries vary by geography as well as by business demographic. What might be considered a killer salary where I live could be a subsistence salary in San Francisco or Los Angeles, hence the need for local research. Same with a similar position at a blue collar employer versus a technology company, etc, etc.

[Tayla]

HR carries a vast variety of knowledge in the current employment regulations.

Benefits/health/safety , reportings are just some of the duties required to maintain this position. A career counselor in our area makes a great suggestion, Since once you are hired they are not at liberty to give a pay raise, adjust your negotiated salary by 10%. This aides if they do hire and you need to project your home budget. I learned that once I signed the salary page, all bets were off for an increase or future benefits. 40k seems reasonable with a college degree and experience.

[carhill]

Yes, that makes sense, especially in this economy where companies, if anything, are trimming benefits and tightening bonus/incentive packages.

 

IMO, this is where knowledge of local demographics and practices is important. As a HR specialist, using this knowledge in an interview to 'sell' one's number could also be a great way to impress the potential employer regarding knowledge of their job function and the local employment market.

[sm1tten]

You definitely shouldn't just throw numbers out there, but it may not be all lost. I interviewed for a job where they wanted my salary history. Turns out they were paying less than I was currently making but other items in the incentive package could make up for it. I ended up not getting the job anyway (and in no way did the package actually make up for what I was losing) but if they really want you they'll try to sweeten the pot.

 

That said, you should never throw a range or a number out there if you don't know what the going rate is - which is something you should research before the first in-person interview if not prior to the phone interview. Google searching tells me that HR assistants in my area make between 32 and 50 a year in Chicago so your lack of experience would make your figure quite high for this area.

[Tayla]

Actually as a person who has sat in on interviews for job positions, we applaud someone who is forthright in what they would like to earn. No harm no foul in putting it on the table. It gives the interviewer an opportunity to gauge the experience and how the person may fit into the dynamics of that position. Its a number until then, so might as well start high then negotiate out then aim low and realize you could have gotten more. Its all in how its managed during negotiating.