obiwan

hi everyone,

assuming you are at the interview and the interviewer asks the standard question, "So what kind of salary did you have in mind"?

being a new migrant and not really knowing what the exact salaries are for the dozens of jobs (entry level/assistant manager) I am applying for.

tried searching the jobs sites but the ranges vary....

what would a safe answer be? assuming I just want them to pay a fair salary?

I am not sure if "I would just like to be given a fair salary" or my true sentiment of "I will take anything" sounds good to the interviewer...

thanks!

Sleeping Beauty

i would be interested to hear the answer on this one as well, as my answers have been something like "well, i am a little unsure on the rates of pay for this post over here, so whatever that is". obviously not using those words

steve99

I would say something along the lines of "Salary isnt my prime motivator, I realise im new to the country and dont have that local knowledge yet, at present my aim is to really find the right opportunity, which I now think i've done having heard you describe the position, so I wouldnt be expecting anything beyond what you'd normally pay as market rate"
If that doesnt prompt them than maybe follow up with "to be honest im really looking for a bit of guidance from you, although I have x experience back in the UK im not sure I can realisticaqlly expect a like for like salary can I?, this is what I was earning in the UK how would that compare to what you would be offering?"

Good luck
Steve

k76

I think this is a question you want to avoid anyway(new to country or not). They may offer more than you think(has happened to me in the past). For once you can learn something from politicians, try to dance around it! So using the fact that you are new to the country is a viable excuse. You can also say something like this: At this stage I would like to see if I am the right person for the job. If I am, I'm sure you will offer me a competitive package.

obiwan

Thanks for the advice Steve99 and K76!

tonik25

Have a look at this link:

http://www.hays.com.au/salary/default.aspx

It has a list of salary ranges that cover most industries in each of the states. I found it an excellent guide when going to interviews just to give me a ball park figure.

obiwan

Thanks for the link! its really good! now i am not in the dark anymore

cheers

GaryKristensen

Yep - do your research prior to going into the interview. If you can find someone in the same sort of job in the same sort of company then you are off to a good start. Know as much as you can about the company, sector, job specification, industry, historical and present market for product and company, other staff positions and roles (ambition to fulfil one of these eventually if asked where you see yourself in 5 years time).

Never undersell yourself as employers will take it as a negative personality trait. You also have to be careful not to ask for too much. A tricky balancing act!

Good employers will realise the value of good staff, so make sure you can achieve that criteria first, as that will come across in an interview far better than anything else.

You'll generally always be asked what salary you think you are worth, or what salary you have in mind, so you have to learn to deal with it positively and with knowledge to back up your predicted worth to the company in the long term.

Good luck with it anyway.

BadgeIsBack

I reckon this would be the way to go, anything more might just make you look tricky. I asked for slightly less, (even after making enquiries) in my first permy job, and the manager told me I was selling myself short and increased it.

GaryKristensen

Or tell them that the way you work and your attitude (which will more than make up for your lack of local knowledge) makes you worth the market rate, which you know to be around the $XX K figure, so you'll be happy to be getting within 5% of that and to review it after a period based on performance. Gives both you and them an incentive!

obiwan

Thanks for the advice guys!