What-Benefits.com

how to ask about salary and benefits

by Destin Kris IV Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Method 1.

  • 1. Begin your email with a greeting and end with your signature. You should always treat emails about work the way you would letters. In your ...
  • 2. Be polite but direct in asking about the starting salary. Show enthusiasm for the position. If the company has asked whether you're interested in ...
  • 3. Don't feel obliged to reveal your current salary. The company recruiter or hiring manager may ask what salary you're making at your job now rather ...
  • 4. Determine your personal salary range. It is important to know both what your ideal target salary is and what your minimum acceptable salary is ...

If you're asking about salary, use the word “compensation” rather than “money and ask for a range rather than a specific number. Likewise, if you want to find out about work-life balance, it may be more useful to approach the topic in terms of “office culture.”

Full Answer

How to know what salary you should ask for?

You want to get clear on what you need in order to say yes:

  • How long do I plan to be with the company if I accept the offer?
  • How much risk am I willing to take on?
  • What do the company’s exit prospects look like?
  • What kind of equity/salary ratio works for me?

How do I know how much salary to ask for?

  • Knowing how much money to ask for in a salary negotiation is crucial for any job seeker.
  • Asking for 10% to 20% more than what you're currently making isn't a bad idea.
  • But you're going to have to put in some research before you just go with that formula.

When asked what is your desired salary?

What Is a “Desired Salary”? A desired salary is the compensation that you would like to receive for a new job. Technically, anything you want is your “desired salary.” However, it’s important to be more reasonable and calculating with your answer. Remember, everyone would love to have a million dollars an hour, but that’s not exactly realistic.

What to say when asked for salary requirements?

Tips for Communicating Your Salary Requirements

  • Do your research. Learn as much as you can about the position and compare salaries with other companies and similar job titles.
  • Give a range. After researching reasonable salaries, consider giving a salary range rather than a specific number.
  • Aim high. ...
  • Leave it negotiable. ...

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How do you politely ask about salary?

Be polite but direct in asking about the starting salary. Show enthusiasm for the position. If the company has asked whether you're interested in the job, you should thank them for their message, state that the position does sound interesting, and then write "May I ask what the salary range is?"

Should you ask about salary and benefits in an interview?

Always let the interviewer bring up the discussion first As hard as it is for most job seekers to do, the only appropriate time to ask about salary and benefits is at the offer stage of the interview. Always let the interviewer bring up the discussion first, so you know that you are at that stage.

How do you answer salary expectations and benefits?

Say you're flexible. You can try to skirt the question with a broad answer, such as, “My salary expectations are in line with my experience and qualifications.” Or, “If this is the right job for me, I'm sure we can come to an agreement on salary.” This will show that you're willing to negotiate. Offer a range.

How do I ask about employee benefits?

Questions to Ask About Employee BenefitsDoes the company offer health insurance?Will it cover members or my family as well as myself? ... How much of the premium costs do I have to pay for myself? ... Can I choose different levels of coverage? ... What kind of coverage is there for dental, vision and disability insurance?More items...

Is it rude to ask how much a job pays?

1. "How much does the job pay?" It's not that you can never, ever ask how much a job pays, it's just that it's considered a no-no in the initial interview phase. It's sort of like when you have a first date and you ask how much the other person earns as soon as she or he says hello.

What salary should I ask for?

Ask for 10% to 20% more than what you're currently making "If you get an offer for 20% over your current salary, you can still negotiate for more — ask for an additional 5% — but know that you're already in good stead." Asking for 10% to 20% more is also a good option if you're looking for a raise from your employer.

How do I tell my salary expectations?

Possible Answer #1 “Before answering this question, I would like to understand this job position and the expected responsibilities better. I would also like to know what is expected from me while I work here. As I have been working in a similar position for the past few months, I can gauge what my worth is.

How do you answer salary question?

By aiming higher, you can make sure that, even if they offer the lowest number, you'll still be making your target number. For example, if you want to make $45,000, don't say you're looking for a salary between $40,000 and $50,000. Instead, give a range of $45,000 to $50,000.

How to ask about salary range?

1. Ask about salary as soon as possible so you don't waste your time. Ask about the salary range of a job either when you first talk to a recruiter or during your first interview. If you don't bring up the issue of salary early in the process, you may not find out what the job pays until you're offered the position.

What to do if one company won't give you a higher salary?

If one company won't offer you a higher salary, you can always choose the competing offer. If you don't have a competing offer from another company, you can refer to publicly available information to negotiate a better offer. ...

What to do after negotiating a salary?

After negotiating a salary, it's important to be polite and thank the employer irrespective of the negotiation's outcome. If you're not able to get the salary you want but decide to work for the employer anyway, being polite will help maintain a positive relationship.

Why is it important to negotiate salary and benefits?

Negotiating salary and benefits is just as important as customizing your professional resume for the role and properly preparing for the interview. Your negotiating style tells an employer what kind of team member you are. And while it is important to impress your new boss, it's just as important to ensure that your new job offer will pay ...

What is the difference between base pay and total compensation?

You can impress the "numbers" people on the hiring committee by asking about base pay versus total compensation. Total compensation means the deal on the table is all-inclusive, while base pay is the basic salary plus any benefits and compensation.

What to say when hiring manager says he can't make any changes?

If the hiring manager says that he can't make any changes, say that it's not an issue, but ask if there is an option to revisit the compensation in the near future. Should the answer be no, it may be a good idea to explore other job opportunities.

What to do if no team member is present?

If none is presented, start questioning the professionalism of the company and its management. Most companies will not hire a new team member unless he or she signs a benefits agreement. This not only protects the new hire, but the company, as well.

Can you turn a blind eye to career advancement?

Even if you decide to accept the position and the benefits accompanying it, never turn a blind eye to other opportunities for career advancement. Some may present themselves within the organization while others may be found outside the office during a professional networking event.

What to do if starting salary does not meet minimum?

If the starting salary does not meet this minimum standard, you should probably not continue with the interview process for this particular job. You might be asked what your target salary is before the starting salary is disclosed, which is another good reason to have your salary range in mind already.

Is it illegal to ask about past earnings?

It is unethical and in some cases illegal for a company to ask about candidates' confidential information like current salary. This is a privacy violation. The State of Massachusetts made it illegal starting in 2018 for an employer to ask about past earnings. New York City and Philadelphia have passed similar laws.

Can I go on one interview before deciding what my salary is?

You can go on one interview first if you want. However, don't accept a second interview before determining what the starting salary is.

Why do employers ask about salary history?

First, keep in mind that the reason that employers ask about salary history is to determine your potential market value and to make sure that your salary expectations are in line with the budget for the role.

What to do if you feel uncomfortable sharing your salary history?

If you feel uncomfortable sharing your salary history or would like to avoid the discussion until the negotiation phase, you may politely decline by explaining that you would rather learn more about the role and its responsibilities before moving to a discussion of salary expectations.

What happens when you get a job offer?

When you receive a job offer, the employer will present you with a compensation package that includes a base salary and potentially other benefits. You may choose to negotiate for a better compensation package if you believe that the offer is not in line with your skillset, education, career level or other strengths.

What are the benefits of total compensation?

Types of benefits companies offer in standard compensation packages include health insurance, performance-based bonuses and retirement plans.

What should I include in my salary history?

This should include amounts for bonuses and commissions that you receive regularly. If the sum is uneven, you can provide an average. For example, you might say that “In my current role, I earn a base salary of $65,000, in addition to an average annual bonus of $5,000.”

What is compensation package?

A compensation package is your base pay plus other benefits. When considering a job offer or a raise, it is critical to take into account not just the base salary, but the entire compensation package that is offered. There is a wide variety of potential benefits packages that employers can offer. Benefits can be provided at ...

Why are salaries higher in some regions?

In addition to your skills and qualifications, other factors can shape your base salary. Specifically, some regions are more expensive to live in than others. Salaries are often higher in more expensive locations so that employees can cover the higher cost of living.

Why do employers ask this question?

In most cases, the company has budgeted a pay range for the role. They want to be sure that your expectations are consistent with that budget before moving forward.

What to do if you have delayed answering a question?

If you’ve delayed answering the question and the interviewer asks you again, it’s time to respond. Avoid giving a specific number. Instead, you can provide a range. Cite your research and frame the conversation as being about what is fair rather than what you want. Here are some examples of how to answer:

Do you have to answer salary questions right away?

You don’t have to answer salary questions right away. The requirements of a job as well as the other kinds of compensation an employer offers, like benefits, equity and bonuses, are important to take into consideration.

How long can you have health insurance after leaving a job?

Employer-provided insurance plans can have waiting periods of up to 90 days. 4  So, if you're leaving one job for another, you may need interim coverage. If you’re leaving a covered employer, you can opt to continue your health care coverage through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).

Is a salary enough to pay for an employee benefit plan?

A great salary isn't always going to be enough to compensate for an employee benefit plan that doesn't offer what you need. In general, there are employee benefits questions you should ask about to ensure that your overall compensation plan is right for you and for your family. Also, ask specific questions based on your needs and on ...

What are the benefits of a job?

Some commonly offered job benefits include: Insurance coverage for medical and dental care. Life insurance policies. Disability insurance.

What are the most important factors to consider when choosing a new career?

Employee benefits are one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a new career. The type of insurance, paid time off and retirement benefits you're offered during the hiring process can greatly influence how satisfied you'll be in your new position. In order to make the most informed decision possible, ...

What are some examples of employer sponsored benefits?

For example, if you have a child, spouse or another dependent, you'll want to pay attention to what benefits your potential employer might offer them as a part of your package.

What does it mean to get paid holidays?

Getting paid holidays means you can save your PTO for when you really want to use it rather than saving it for holiday breaks, like the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. Since policies about paid holidays differ from company to company, it's important to inquire about your potential employer's practices.

How long do you have to wait to get unemployment benefits?

Typically, the maximum waiting period is 90 days , meaning you might have to wait a full three months on the job before you're able to access your benefits. Comparatively, some employers have established shorter waiting periods, and others may not require a waiting period at all.

Is an employer's salary considered an employee benefit?

Therefore, anything your employer offers you besides your salary or regular pay is considered an employee benefit. Since employer-sponsored benefits can improve an employee's quality of life and level of job satisfaction, they're an important part of the offer and negotiation process. Not only do great benefits often draw in competitive candidates, ...

Do employers have a waiting period for health insurance?

Many employers have established waiting periods for employees before they can start to receive benefits. These policies help employers offer health insurance coverage to new employees regularly without having to wait for yearly enrollment dates.

When to Ask About Benefits During the Hiring Process

When you’re considering a job, there are many different factors in play. Most people think of the salary first and foremost, but benefits can be equally important. What can be challenging is knowing when to bring them up in the process. Asking about vacation days in your first interview is a definite mistake.

Timing is Everything

Early on in the process, a good rule is to not bring up benefits unless the company does first. For example, many recruiters will ask about specifics, knowing what the company offers and trying to pair it up with a candidate looking for the same thing. Some companies won’t discuss benefits at all.

Negotiation & Questions

If you’re unhappy with what is offered, or feel like you may be able to gain more, you could negotiate. Some companies may be firm on their salary offering, but willing to give you more days off.

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