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Salary requirements prereq to interview?

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by basilisk

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Recently, I left college with a Master's in Computer Science, and have been looking for a position as a technical writer in the Central Iowa area. (I know, I know, not a hotbed of IT activity, but I have other reasons to stay.)
I sent out resumes (both to companies advertising for tech writers and to companies that might need tech writers) and have received several first interviews, either by phone or in person.
Invariably, the interview _starts_ with "What salary do you expect?" Common job hunting wisdoms says not to discuss salary until the job offer is in hand, so I have been using standard responses to try to steer away from the salary question. No luck.
Me: My salary requirements are reasonable and I'm sure we can come to an agreement when you offer me the job. Would you like to hear more about my qualifications? Them: What salary do you consider reasonable? --or--
Me: The salary I would expect would depend on the responsibilities of the job. Perhaps we could talk more about the position and what I could offer your company. Them: (reads classified ad to me again) That's what the job entails, so what salary do you expect? --or--
Me: The salary range I am looking for is typical for technical writers here in Iowa.Them: And what range would that be? We don't know anything about what to pay technical writers. --or--

3 replies

by avachon

Hi, most likely companies are looking at the master's degree and trying to figure out if they can afford you. If they don't think they can, they don't want to put any effort into interviewing you further. If you do want to give them a dollar range, try telling them that you realize they may think you have high expectations based on your training. However, you are interested in determing "fit," both for you and for them. Salaries are negotiable on a number of fronts: benefits, flex hours, telecommuting, bonuses, stock options, etc. You might tell them you are flexible and would work with them to acieve a reasonable package that is not limited to base salary. If people still hedge, you'll have to lay out a range, but be fair to yourself; employers will be looking at that lower amount. You then could say, well, salaries in this area average X. I would consider a range from y to z. However, I'm willing to work with you in creating a package that works for us both. Good luck.

by basilisk

Other people had already brought up these points in part two, but thanks for answering so I could close the question.

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