Transcription
00:00:06 Introduction
Welcome. You're listening to Links at Bain and Gray, a catalogue of podcasts centred on all things business support in the workplace. Our aim is to bring you interesting and relevant content that will keep you up-to-date and thriving in your role.
00:00:22 Tray
Welcome to Links Bitesize. Today I am talking with -
00:00:25 Emily
Emily Bain.
00:00:26 Tray
I'm your host, Tray Durrant. Today we're talking about salary questions, how to handle those questions in a job interview.
00:00:34 Emily
Mm, great topic. This is one that comes up quite a lot actually. People ask us, people hate talking about money in any, in any set of circumstances, and I think more so in an interview.
00:00:45 Tray
And it comes up quite late in the process, I think. Sometimes it's not and it should really be tackled probably a little bit earlier on wouldn’t you agree?
00:00:50 Emily
Yes, yes. And I think it needs full transparency.
I think, a large reason that people change roles, apart from obviously personal growth and career opportunities, but it is money, you know it is one of the very few ways that you can get a substantial pay rise for a similar role, and I think I mean there's obviously other influencing factors, but the most common motivator is pay.
And I think if you're working with an agent or a recruitment consultant, they would of course be representing you and be really transparent with salary and bonus etcetera. But I do think in any event, yeah, you should be fully prepared for this subject being raised by the interviewer.
00:01:28 Tray
Yeah because like you say it's usually a primary driver for looking. But I do think it's one of those things when you're in an organisation, a creep only of salary is often how it comes, even if responsibilities have been added and added, isn't it? It's just a fact. So whilst you might be looking for chunkier responsibilities that that one would hope that comes with a chunkier salary and you get that step up rather than that curve up, I think it's right, isn't it?
00:01:56 Emily
Exactly. Yeah. And I think when you're in an interview, you know, you may be asked questions about your expectations financially and whether you're willing to negotiate or compromise. And it's a really daunting conversation because an interview is generally positive and you know you're you're on a level with somebody you don't want to start sort of negotiating in a hardball way, when you're building a rapport or a relationship with somebody. So again, we don't actually like talking about money. So I think sort of first and foremost, it's important to be confident and well researched -
00:02:33 Tray
That’s crucial.
00:02:34 Emily
- without coming across as arrogant. I suggest sort of a diplomatic approach with sort of open friendly communication style. And I think there's some really important tips to help you to support your salary discussion. So my first one would be -
00:02:44 Tray
Hmm. Before you launch into that, so I think that's absolutely right, what you’ve just said and I think it's often of course you've got to get that across that, you know, knowing your market worth and all of those sorts of good things, it's often just how you do that, isn't it? So that's the the crucial bit of it. So sorry, go on.
00:02:57 Emily
Yeah, yeah. So I think do your homework. I think the more prep that you did in advance, obviously the better equipped you're gonna be. Obviously try and find out the salary brackets for the roles that you're applying for. I mean it's so frustrating when people say it's competitive. You know, that doesn't really help anybody. But I think if you do your sort of due diligence and take into account the sector, the location.
So for example, an EA who works in Finance in London is likely to attract a different salary for an EA in Southampton who works in Media, so you've got to be so realistic. There's lots and lots of online, and like I said, good agencies provide salary surveys that you can find quite easily.
So I think do your homework. Make sure you know a) what's the sort of going on in the market b) what your sort of value is as well.
00:03:42 Tray
That's definitely your starting baseline, isn't it? Know the parameters of the job itself.
00:03:44 Emily
Definitely. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I think secondly, you've got to really demonstrate the values that you bring and don't be frightened to bring those to the table. So achievements, qualifications, skills and experience, you know, really think deeply about the value that they bring to the role that you're applying for.
00:04:04 Tray
See, that's the big bucket item I think, isn't it, you know?
00:04:07 Emily
Yeah.
00:04:08 Tray
And I think if you if you've got something unique that's a bit more unique than your peer group might have that 35 to 45,000 salary banding might get you towards the top end I guess mighten it? Yeah.
00:04:18 Emily
Exactly. Yeah. And don't be frightened to really sort of showcase that. And I think don't forget softer skills, personal attributes as well.
00:04:26 Tray
Mm. Definitely.
00:04:28 Emily
So really try and articulate articulate those clearly during the interview, so the interviewer has had a good insight into you.
00:04:34 Tray
I think that I think that's true. I think it's well with those softer skills and and anything that's more unique, it's just giving examples of that during the interview process because that's what will stick in the interviewer’s mind and and hopefully yeah, in a salary discussion when you're offered the job will, will be what nails it.
00:04:48 Emily
And I think be realistic. You know, if you've got slightly less relevant experience as someone who has got more, then focus on your other skills and a proven track record in the in in the same industry sector or something you know, try and find something positive sort of to go from there.
00:05:00 Tray
Absolutely, yeah.
00:05:02 Emily
And I think the obvious thing is articulate this well, you know, don't don't be frightened to practise your negotiation skills in front of the mirror or role-playing with somebody. The most comfortable you are the more confident you will become. And I think salary again the whole money conversation, but these discussions should be handled calmly, respectfully and professionally.
00:05:21 Tray
Mmm.
00:05:22 Emily
And I think most important thing is never give away too much, you know? Try and talk about a range.
00:05:30 Tray
It's like a game of poker.
00:05:31 Emily
It is a little bit.
00:05:33 Tray
Not that we advocate gambling in any way!
00:05:35 Emily
But you know be try and put it back on them as well.
00:05:38 Tray
Yeah, I think that's crucial when it comes down to the absolute exchange of dialogue, if you can sort of skirt around it with some banding sort of suggestions, yeah, to let them reveal their hand first so much the better. Yeah.
00:05:47 Emily
Yep, exactly. Well, flip it. You know. What are they looking for? What's their salary -
00:05:52 Tray
Exactly.
00:05:52 Emily
- sort of parameters that they've got as well? But I think be bold, be well researched and really do sell yourself.
00:06:01 Tray
Brilliant advice. Thank you, Emily.
00:06:02 Emily
Thank you, Tray.
