Should I ask about salary at the interview

One of the questions people most often ask is whether they should raise the question of salary at the interview.

And the short answer is no! Especially not at the first meeting.

Why not?

1. For graduates, there is usually not much room for negotiation as graduate salaries have been set within a fairly narrow band and there is not much flexibility.
2. If you ask about salary too soon, it makes you look as though you are only ‘in it for the money’, which of course you are not.
3. Until the organisation has decided that they want to hire you, salary is a moot point. It is your job to demonstrate in your resume and throughout the selection process, how you will bring value to the organisation, your enthusiasm for the role, and how it meets your career objectives.
4. You should research the market for similar positions and have a realistic understanding of the salaries on offer, and what starting salary you will be happy with, taking into your account your degree, your experience, the organisation and the position. If you do happen to be asked in the interview what salary you would be looking for, you will be able to answer the question in a way which is based on independent data.
5. If you are asked the salary question early on or at any stage of the selection process, you should always emphasise that you are flexible around salary and your goal is to secure the right role in the right organisation so as not to overprice or undervalue yourself.