4 Interview Questions to Ask When at the Negotiation Table

If you’ve found your way to this article, then most likely you’ve got a big interview coming up. Whether it’s an interview for a new job or negotiations for getting yourself a higher salary, it’s important to have a game plan before heading in. Work/life etiquette varies from job to job. A construction job will most likely not have the same type of attitude that an administrative office position will have. Once you get to that negotiation table though, the rules become a bit more universal. You have to keep in mind that you are the only person who can advocate for yourself. It’ll be important to bring a few key questions to the table with your goal of moving forward set in your mind. Remember, you deserve this. Just like you deserve to have these great interview questions in your back pocket for when the moment arises.

The Salary

It’s true what people say. “Money isn’t everything.” While there certainly is more to life than just money, it helps to have a better income as the years go by. That’s the whole point of this interview after all. The first question is going to focus on the overall salary that you can walk out of the interview with. The format of this question will change depending on what kind of interview you are going into. 

Let’s take the initial job interview for example. Not all companies are out to set you at the lowest pay, but most companies are going to have a baseline pay rate for each of their positions. Depending on your background and experience, you are going to want to lead the conversation to start you out with a higher rate. A good way to phrase this would be, “What’s the range of salary for this position?” Getting this information will give you an idea of how high to aim for. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for a Raise

Sometimes the negotiation will be your chance to ask for a raise. This can be a scary task for some, but don’t worry. There is no harm in pushing for more. The question for this time will be a little different from the one above. Anyone already working for a company will have an idea of the range of salaries that they can shoot for. 

The question will be changed to, “Can I negotiate this offer?” This indicates that you are aware of what is available and shows to the interview that you want to push for more. Remember that confidence is key with these negotiations, and showing initiative like this will stick with the interviewer. Leaving a lasting impression can be just as profitable.

Other Important Interview Questions

A few more things to consider with these negotiations are benefits and metrics. Asking “What kind of benefits can come with a raise?” is an important one. Insurance and retirement plans are other key aspects of life outside of a base income, so it’s good to make sure you are getting all that you can as early as possible. 

Another great question to ask is “What metrics do you use to evaluate the success of your employees?” This one might be a bit of a mouthful, but it will show your investment for doing the best job that you can do. 

Asking for Help

Going into that big interview can seem daunting at first. It never hurts to get a little assistance and advice before the moment comes. At The American Society of Administrative Professionals, we offer excellent resources on how to bring your A-game to that big interview. Take a stop by and keep your wits sharp. We know you can do it.