Tips for HR part of interview process.
So a great hospital is about to offer me a position in the micro department as a CLS level II. I want to make sure I’m getting the best pay + PTO + benefits. I’m really excited about this position. Please ANY AND ALL ADVICE IS WELCOME!
Posted Jul 26, 2022, 8:43 PM UTC
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Ask for their benefits handbook in advance. They should be able to email it. The last time I switched jobs, that was one of my first questions for the recruiter. You are generally not going to negotiate any changes to benefits or PTO, but you should compare it to your current or past jobs, or any other places you have applied.
Benefits packages sometimes look the same on the surface, but there can be a wide variety of things underneath that make a big difference. My current employer has both a pension plan and they pay the premiums for one of the health plans. Those were two big factors in my decision to go there.
Pay is another story. In the last 10 years, HR compensation offers have been like trading in a used car. You very often get a lowball first offer, they aren't always straight up honest with you, and you almost have to be willing to walk away if you don't get what you want.
You ideally want to find out their current pay range ahead of time, and then be prepared to ask for something commensurate with your experience. In this job market, I would ask on the high side. If they ask you what you expect to make, it's good to have an idea of their pay range. You don't want to just guess a number, or take something because it's higher than your last job.
Sometimes they will make the first offer. If they do that, it is almost always going to be on the lower end of what they are willing to pay. Now it's your turn. Don't be embarrassed. They offer low so that you will feel bad about asking for too much. They want you to ask for an extra dollar and feel good about it while they still underpay you. Counter with your realistic expectation. If you go too high, they will come back with something in the middle. If you go too low, they will agree right away. So know what you want, and then err on the high side.
Wow thank you. So nice of you to write all this out!
You're welcome. Good luck with your new job.
How do you check the pay range of the company you are applying for?
By law here, they have to list the hiring range with a job posting, so for example it will say something like $29.47-$45.24. Makes it really easy to know what you should be asking for. Some states have a similar law but you have to ask the employer for the range, which is not quite as easy. Posting the range is great for transparency, so ideally more states will go down that road.
In the past, (or if there is no state law), it was harder. You might have to ask the hiring manager or use online salary survey sites, job site reviews or even forums like we do here. Sometimes you had to ask around to people you knew in the field. It's hard right out of school, but if you've worked a few years, you usually will know somebody who knows somebody if you are moving to a new job locally.