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.
What are the best questions to ask during an interview?
We think answering interview questions is enough pressure without having to think of any of your own, so we’ve done the hard work for you. Here’s our essential list of the best questions to ask during an interview. WHY ARE YOU HIRING FOR THIS POSITION? This key question is so often overlooked.
What benefits should I ask for?
I remember reading something that said I should begin the “paperwork ... but the Social Security benefits you earned from a lifetime of working are there for you. Here’s what you need ...
Should I ask about the salary before accepting an interview?
To sum up, here’s what you need to remember when talking about salary in an interview:
- Know your worth and the forms of compensation that matter most to you.
- Use salary resources like Indeed Salaries to study the current trends and learn about the range for this job in your city.
- Give a range, not a specific number. ...
- Don’t try to negotiate until you have a formal job offer.
What should you do before an interview?
The week before the interview:
- Do your homework. Research the company and its background beforehand. ...
- Prepare your questions. When asked by the interviewer if you have any questions, have a few ideas up your sleeve. ...
- Practice your interview technique. Think beforehand about how you can best demonstrate your skills and experiences in an interview. ...
- Plan your journey. ...
- Stay focused. ...
Is it bad to ask about benefits in interview?
Anything Related to Salary or Benefits It's best to avoid any question that sounds like you assume you already have the position—unless, of course, your interviewer brings it up first.
Is it OK to talk about benefits in an interview?
Don't ever ask about salary or benefits during an interview Instead, use your interview to show the interviewer why you're the best candidate for the position, and why you deserve the highest possible salary. At this point, talking about salary and benefits is a waste of your time and theirs.
Is it OK to ask about health insurance in an interview?
If you are a full-time employee, your company will most likely provide you with some kind of health insurance. In some cases, while working contract positions for a staffing agency such as iMPact, you may also qualify for health insurance. Ask about how much is covered and about the employee premium accounts.
Can you ask about benefits before an interview?
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.
What are 5 things you should never say in a job interview?
You'll make sure that your awesome abilities and accomplishments—not a totally avoidable faux pas—will be what your interviewer remembers.“So, Tell Me What You Do Around Here” ... “Ugh, My Last Company…” ... “I Didn't Get Along With My Boss” ... 4. “ ... “I'll Do Whatever” ... “I Know I Don't Have Much Experience, But...”More items...
What should you not ask in an interview?
Questions to avoid in an interview: Never ask about pay, time off, benefits, etc. (Wait until later in the process to inquire about these things.) Never ask “What does your company do?” • Never ask “If I'm hired, when can I start applying for other positions in the company?” • Never ask how quickly you can be promoted.
When should you talk about benefits in an interview?
Wait until you have a job offer to discuss employee benefits, either with human resources or the person who is offering you the job. Next, take some time to review the benefit plans so you can make an educated decision based on the benefits information provided by your prospective employer.
When should you ask about salary and benefits in an interview?
By the second interview, it's usually acceptable to ask about compensation, but tact is key. Express your interest in the job and the strengths you would bring to it before asking for the salary range. Make the employer feel confident you're there for more than just the paycheck.
How do you ask about health insurance in an interview?
New job? 9 questions to ask your employer about health insuranceWhen does my healthcare coverage begin? ... Will there be a cost to me or does my new employer cover 100% of my health insurance premium? ... Will your current doctors/healthcare providers accept your new insurance?More items...•
What questions should I ask an employer about 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 OK to ask for salary range before interview?
If you plan to take the job no matter what, wait until they bring up salary. If you are only willing to take the job if it meets specific salary requirements, ask for the salary information up front. The way you ask about the salary can make a big difference to the way the company perceives your question, however.
Can I ask about benefits before accepting a job offer?
When you are considering a new job, you may have several questions about the compensation and benefits the position offers. It is usually best to reserve these questions until after you receive a job offer instead of asking them during an interview.
What is it like to bring up salary and/or health care benefits during a primary interview?
Bringing up salary and/or health care benefits (or benefits of any kind) during a primary interview is like going for a good night kiss at the beginning of a first date; most people generally aren’t receptive to it. “The biggest blunder made by job applicants is the tendency to jump to the issue of compensation too quickly,” says Deb Koen, vice president of a nonprofit group called Career Development Services. So keep those questions to yourself for the time being—you don’t want to look like you’re interested in only one thing.
Do companies offer compensation other than salary?
It’s the last thing to remember and it’s as simple as it sounds, some companies simply will not offer compensation other than salary. However, if you know what you’re worth and you know what you require, you will eventually find an employer that offers the benefits that are right for you.
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.
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.
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 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, ...
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.
Do employers cover dental insurance?
Inquiring about health insurance costs is one of the most important things to do during the offer process. Some employers fully cover medical and dental insurance costs for their employees, while others may choose to deduct partial premium payments from your paycheck.
When to ask about benefits?
A good rule of thumb is to wait to ask questions about benefits until you know you’re a serious candidate for the position, such as during the second or third round of interviews. Likewise, if the potential employer introduces the topic of benefits, that’s a good indication that it’s appropriate to ask clarifying questions to get more information ...
How long do you have to wait to enroll in a new health insurance plan?
A company may have a specific enrollment period or need criteria to determine when you are eligible. Some plans have a 30-day or 90-day waiting period .
How many employees are required to have health insurance?
If the employer has 50 or more employees, they are required to offer health care plans, but more than 75% of companies offer more than what is just required by law. Depending on the company, these benefits may include dental insurance, vision care and life insurance. Make sure to ask what exactly is offered and who can be covered under your plan.
When is the right time to ask about benefits?
The right time is generally after you’ve captured the interviewer’s interest by showing them you are a good fit for the job. Focus first on selling yourself and wait for the right opportunity to ask about benefits. Look for strong signs of interest from the interviewer before broaching the topic of salary.
What to use when asking about salary?
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.”.
Why do employers hire?
Employers hire because they have problems and as a potential employee, you should focus on how you can solve these problems. At the same time, figuring out if an employer can meet your personal standards and needs for salary and benefits are a key determinant of whether a job is a good fit for you. So how can you ask about salary ...
How to phrase a question?
There’s always more than one way to phrase a question. Style and approach help you get the information you want. Choose your words and phrasing carefully when asking about what an employer will do for you. Let’s dig into this. Sometimes using specific words can make all the difference.
Can you march into an interview and ask for vacation time?
You can’t simply march into the interview and demand to know how much money and vacation time you’ll get. Instead, you need to approach these topics with diplomacy and finesse. Here are few things for you to do to set up tactful, effective questions about salary or benefits:
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 ...
When to ask about salary in an interview?
Of course, each job interview and situation will be unique, so when you ask about salary — if you ask about it at all — keep in mind that it is going to depend on a few factors. As a general rule of thumb, it's best to wait until the hiring manager brings up the topic.
What happens if you bring up salary too soon?
Salary can certainly be a touchy topic, one that needs to be handled with care. If you bring it up too soon, you'll seem greedy or money-motivated. If you wait too long, you risk wasting a whole lot of time and effort.
What to do if your salary is too high?
If your desired salary is too high, the company can go ahead and let you know you're not the best fit. Now, if salary hasn't been mentioned and you've completed your first interview, you can start thinking about bringing up the subject, especially if some sort of travel or big time commitment is involved.
Can you report salary before applying?
However, you'll notice many companies won't report salary, ...
Is it important to discuss salary?
Yes, discussing salary can be touchy, and you don't want a company to assume money is your main motivator, but there's no denying its importance in your job search. As a general rule of thumb, follow the employer's lead. It'll come up at some point in the interview process, or at the very least when discussing a job offer.
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.
What does it mean when a hiring manager asks about your salary?
When a hiring manager asks about your salary expectations that's a "buy" signal. It means they're interested in you and want to make sure you're in their price range. That's why it's so important to do your homework prior to the interview and respond to their question with a salary range. The range should be your walk-away rate (a/k/a lowest amount you could accept without feeling like you would need to keep looking for a better job). Followed up by your ideal rate. This range will likely be very broad, but that's okay. You just say,
What happens when you decide you're the person you want to hire?
They don't want their second pick, they want their first. Which means, it's your turn to layout what you need to accept the job.
Do you have to know your worth?
You have to know your worth and stand up for it. Yes, you may risk not getting the job. But, taking a job where you feel severely underpaid never works out either. You'll resent the employer from day one and eventually leave - usually, on bad terms. Conversely, I've seen lots of employers circle back after they interviewed other candidates and say, "We've seen what's out there and we're ready to pay the extra to get you." I've even seen situations where the employer comes back when a more senior role opens up that meets the salary requirement. Knowing your worth and focusing on opportunities that will let you feel like it's a win-win partnership is vital to building a satisfying career. They key is to respect the interview process and know when and how to discuss pay rates!
