Salary Range Expectations

A hiring company might play games with a position's salary range.

Just as you don't want to price yourself out of the market; hiring companies don't want to lose out on a great talent find by low balling the position's pay range. At the same time the company wants to keep pay rates within established parameters to maximize profits.

Being able to determine the hiring range of a position will allow you to approach opportunities with realistic expectations.

Realistic Expectations

Position Hiring Range vs. Position Pay Range

Many times when a pay range is advertised it's the position Pay Range meaning: It's the lowest amount and highest amount a person in that position could ever earn.

This is not the same thing as the position Hiring Range. The hiring range is the salary range within which the company expects to hire someone new to the position. It's usually in the lower one third to one half of the position pay range. That's a big difference.

Smart companies will never hire someone at the top end of a position pay range. They will, however, hire an exceptional someone at the top end of a hiring range.

To manage your expectations you must determine whether you're looking at a position pay range or a hiring range. Determining the hiring range and positioning your candidacy go hand-in-glove during a pre-screening or telephone interview.

If your salary needs fall within the hiring range continue to pursue the opportunity. If they don't meet your needs seriously reconsider your interest in the position.

It's not realistic to expect to influence the hiring manager to pay you more than the hiring range. Even if she's in a position to restructure the position just for you; your chances of influencing her to that extent are small.