Jeff Moden (11/25/2010)
I agree... I usually don't even entertain the idea of an interview unless I already know the salary range. I don't want to waste their time or my time.There are exceptions, of course. I may interview for a job that is particullary interesting to me or it's super close to home without knowing the salary ahead of time. I also say that after what you think is a killer interview would be the time to negotiate salary while your performance during the interview is fresh on their minds. You might be able to get more than advertised if you made a really, really good impression.
Agreed - I always like to know it's within the range. There have been times where you HAVE to have the discussion: because the range is so incredibly wide, because the job requirements end up not matching the title being advertised. Bottom line is - if you're comfortable with the entire range that could be offereed, then having the discussion is important: otherwise, it's produent to have the discussion. Interviews aren't a "comfortable" time, so just get all of the painful aspects over with in one shot. No sense in waiting to gripe about it later when the offer shows up with an insulting number.
The big trick is to know whether the person you're interviewing with actually has the aility to affect that. The technical interview in my shop tends to be by people who can okay the candidate, but don't get to influence salary.
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Your lack of planning does not constitute an emergency on my part...unless you're my manager...or a director and above...or a really loud-spoken end-user..All right - what was my emergency again?