[freepinglurker]

I have been looking for a better job and recently posted about how I was asked to take a personality test for a job offer--I declined. It is incredible the things that are being asked by these ridiculous human resources types before you even know if the company is one you want to work for..

What are your salary requirements? In response to a resume I sent to the company for a sales position. I inquired if we were talking about straight salary, commission, bonuses, benefits etc... She said that would be discussed later. Then she asked about my salary requirements again. How do you answer this question when you don't know all the factors?

During my recent job search I have been baffled as to why a signed application is needed to be filled out before the interview process even starts. Of course they ALWAYS demand your SSN and DL number. I think a resume should be all that is necessary at this point. I do not like this type of personal information laying around and at this point I am not even sure if it is the company I want to work for. It happens on online applications as well. Shouldn't this information be provided AFTER an offer is extended based on background and drug tests and not before?

If your age and gender is supposed to be private--they already have everything they need to know from this application. It makes me furious.

[Red Badger]

Perfect answer:

Enough to keep my wife from kicking me out the house.......

[W04Man]

"Start me out at a reasonable salary, but give me rooom to grow"

[eastforker]

They want to check your background before they expend the time and money on an interview, thats also the reason they ask for a signature and I would wager if you read the small print it would say so. As far as salary requirements, I would just tell them something about commensurate with the industry standard.

[MotleyGirl70]

I have been looking for a better job and recently posted about how I was asked to take a personality test for a job offer--I declined.

I've never been asked to take one, but I would also decline. If a potential employer is that dense that they can't get a feel for my personality in an interview then forget it.

[Mr. Jeeves]

The problem is, you are talking to the wrong people. Never talk to Human Resources first. It's harder, but you have to seek jobs by getting to know hiring managers through professional associations and networks. Once they know who you are, you will be in a position to have jobs created for you at the appropriate salary level and be brought on board before ever talking to HR...which can then fulfill it's true function and have you fill out the relevant paperwork. ;)

The salary requirements question is simply designed to screen applicants out and there is no right answer. If your requirements are too high, your resume gets filed - if they are too low, HR assumes you are not qualified...and your resume gets filed. If you guess right, your resume goes into a pile of potential interviewees - and gets filed anyway when the hiring manager decides to bring on a friend of someone he met at the last conference because he "knows the guy" and its easier than interviewing strangers who might have personality defects. Either way, the hiring manager is unlikely to even learn of your existence when your first contact is HR.

[WhiteGuy]

For a sales position, if your answer is too low, they might speculate that your motivation to over-achieve might be limited.

In sales, shoot for the moon with this answer, they will perceive you as being driven.

[BallandPowder]

powder..patch..ball Fire!

I would expect with my experience and track record that I should be in the upper percentile for employees with the job description we are discussing.

[Dog Gone]

Do some investigation as to what is the current pay being offered for similar positions at other companies. Then say, "Probably no less than $XXX, but I'm going to consider all offers before accepting the best one."

[Yo-Yo]

If your age and gender is supposed to be private

HR types always got around the age thing by looking at the dates you graduated HS and College.

[pgkdan]

Tell them what you expect. Why waste your time and theirs if you need more than they're willing to pay? Don't play games and dance around the subject. And as for the personality testing...if you're looking to work for a middle sized to a large company you're going to be tested, especially if you're applying for a sales position. And as to filling out the application before the interview...before I invite anyone for an interview I've read their resume and have had at least 1 preliminary phone interview, if you're sitting in my conference room filling out an application you're probably someone I'm already interested in hiring.

[mnehring]

Find out what the 'average' salary is for the position you are applying for and state the high end of that average but include a statement on the lines that 'you are flexible commensurate to other benefits or growth opportunities.'

If it is a commissioned based position, always shoot high. You don't want to give the impression you will settle for just getting by, you want to show you have high goals.

[oldsalt]

I was always taught that the first person to give a number in salary negotiations or price negotiations is the "loser". So I think a good answer would be,"I'm flexible." Another ,somewhat pushier answer might be,"How much are you budgeted for?"

Of course it's easy for me to say that since I've already retired three times!

[NeoCaveman]

If your age and gender is supposed to be private

If I can't tell your gender by looking at you I'm not hiring you. Sorry, but all those "it's Pat" jokes can tear an office apart...

[avacado]

When asked what are your salary requirements it is best to have researched a answer before hand. That's called being prepared. Employers like people who are prepared and know what they are talking about. When asked, tell them without hesitation what you are expecting.

I am a software engineer in the oil & gas industry and I have worked contract and salary and have no problem telling a prospective employer what salary or hourly wage I expect. I know my value and I know my industry.

[ex-Texan]

The employment process is ripe for exploitation. Most employers ask all sorts of rude and impermissible questions in written applications. E.g. They find devious ways to ask about your age, race, ethnicity, and religion. Then they ask for your signature to give them access to normally confidential information. Catch 22: If you sign you may open up embarrassing issues to scrutiny. If your refuse to sign the application they may lawfully refuse to interview you. I suggest signing with a fake signature (If your real name is Malcome D. Owens, sign "M.D. Owens" in an unreadable scrawl). Then if they violate your legal rights, you may properly sue the b@stards. Good lawyers may drive a truck through waivers of liability obtained in employment applications.

[subterfuge]

My Answer:

"Anything in the low to mid six figures would be sufficient"

[Deguello]

Back in the 80's I had made contact with a oil company headquartered in Dallas. The guy asked for me to call his secretary and set up an appointment for a interview.

I went through the channels and had a date/time set for the interview. I dressed sharp and carried my resume and references and proceeded to his office on the 20 something floor of a downtown Dallas building...the interview turned out to be for Amway.

I was pissed and told him so.

[DungeonMaster]

There is a job in town that I would really like. I'd be willing to take a pay cut to get it due to the type of work and my lack of experience but it would be worth it. If I ever got an interview, I'd have to know the answer to that question based on my calculations of how much I and my wife and 6 kids still living at home could do without. It's a perfectly fair question.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Reasonable answer: Always ask for more than you making, you can say you are flexible if the position sounds interesting. Don't make it a show stopper unless that's your sole reason for looking.

"Do what you love, the money will follow."

[RockinRight]

As much as possible!

;-)