Tough Interview Question #21: Would You Take Less (Less than What You Were Earning or Looking for)?

The answers to this question is simple:

Yes. (Why) The position affords me an opportunity to do some things I'm really interested in doing.

No (Why) I want to join an organization that properly values staff to the market. Looking at some of the online research available, this position could pay anywhere between x and y (quote their own salary range from their job description or the salary range from a number of similar positions you've seen online).

I have been earning at midpoint of the range for more than a year; I don't believe it is worthwhile to bring me in at less than midpoint. I think it sends a bad message to members of staff . Frankly, you would be saving z dollars per week and leaving me tempted.


Jeff Altman 
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us

JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us

© 2007 all rights reserved.

Tough Interview Question #20: So Why Aren't You Making More Money at this Stage in Your Career?

There are a few ways to answer this question.

There is the nice innocuous answer:

In my career, I have found that money isn't everything; it's important but not the most important motivator in my thinking. What has been more important to me has been:

Security (if you have worked at one company for a long time)
Interesting work (if you have not worked at one place for a long time.

If your answer was security, one of the prices of security is the 3-5% salary increase that came with staying at my firm for a long time.

If your answer was interesting work, I thought the project I was working on was sensational and would afford me an opportunity to do some great work with _______.

I am now hoping to leverage my experience and join your staff and continue doing interesting work.

Version 2 is specifically for the senior professional and is an honest statement of what your circumstances were and why you took a lesser position.

There was a time in my career when I was Director of ______ (or Manager of _______) with responsibility for ____; when the layoffs occurred and the economy slowed there wasn't a role I could step in like my previous one within my available window so I took a lesser position.

And you know, I like it! I like being a number 2 supporting a Director. Less stress. I se mids (whatever it is). For me the layoff turned out as a blessing.

Jeff Altman 
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us

JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us

© 2007 all rights reserved.