Is this a trick question??!

[chilistrucker]

Help!!!
For various reasons you may or may not know, I can't currently do the job I really, really love. The current job I'm in, is in my opinion very underpaid for what I do and the effort I put in, but hey ho, that's my current circumstances.
I've been looking for the past few weeks at a change, and am trying to get into becoming a chauffeur as a long time career, as it's something I really fancy, and like to think I'd excel at. Had an interview last week, and am quite hopeful, but can't say anymore than that for now for reasons that would make sense, but I can't currently explain those, sorry!!!
Today I got an email from a job I applied for a couple of weeks ago, stating they liked my letter and CV and would like to arrange an interview.
Now, the trick??? question. What do you currently earn, (peanuts) and what would you expect to earn with us?
Beings I'm not used to being on the job hunt, is this a common question a perspective employer asks?
I don't want to sell myself short, but also don't want to overprice myself out of the market.
The first job I vaguely mentioned would be my ideal choice, but until I know if I've got it or not surely I'd be mad not to pursue the latest offer further?
Sorry for the long post.

[condor]

No problem - what salary do you want? then say that

Previous salary...approx amount , taking into account bonuses and commissions...equates to what salary that you want them to pay you.

It's not a trick question.

[bearman68]

The usual answer is that it's not worth talking about until you have an offer on the table. Of course you are not driven completely by money, but you would expect to paid a suitable amount for your skills and experience, but until you are talking seriously about the position its of less concern than making sure the job is the correct position,and that you are going to be able to make a suitable contribution to the business.
You know the type of thing - blah blah blah, I'm not going to tell you until you make an offer.
Once they have made an offer, then it's up to you to ask at the top end of the salary range - the company is in a less strong position at that stage after making the emotional commitment to hire you.

I've used the this is what I want, and been sold short, so the latter is a better approach generally. IMO

[bigandclever]

condor said:

Previous salary...approx amount , taking into account bonuses and commissions...equates to what salary that you want them to pay you.

But don't lie ... your new employer will see from your P45 what you were on anyway.

[Jasandjules]

You would like to earn sufficient monies commensurate with your age/experience.

But that is when you are at the offer stage is it not?

[chilistrucker]

bearman68 said:

The usual answer is that it's not worth talking about until you have an offer on the table. Of course you are not driven completely by money, but you would expect to paid a suitable amount for your skills and experience, but until you are talking seriously about the position its of less concern than making sure the job is the correct position,and that you are going to be able to make a suitable contribution to the business.
You know the type of thing - blah blah blah, I'm not going to tell you until you make an offer.
Once they have made an offer, then it's up to you to ask at the top end of the salary range - the company is in a less strong position at that stage after making the emotional commitment to hire you.

I've used the this is what I want, and been sold short, so the latter is a better approach generally. IMO

Thanks all for the replies!
The above is very much what I was thinking, but at 44 years old and new to the job hunt/career change thing, their question really threw me!
It felt like I was being spoke to by an insurance company at renewal time!
I know I'm good at what I do, and can be an asset wherever I work, (blimey that sounds like corporate bullst) I just want a fair wage for the job I'd do and the commitment I'd put in.

As mentioned though, the new potential employer though has only got to look at my p45 to see what I'd currently work for. This though is definitely not by choice, current circumstances kind of forced it.

I guess I have to hope that the new potential employer likes what it saw in my covering letter and CV enough to ask me to go for an interview.

[DCS01]

I've had this question come up, from time to time. As others have said, don't sell yourself short, I don't know what your looking for. But remember the living wage is supposed to be £18,500 and the national average is £26,500.

[chilistrucker]

DCS01 said:

I've had this question come up, from time to time. As others have said, don't sell yourself short, I don't know what your looking for. But remember the living wage is supposed to be £18,500 and the national average is £26,500.

Cheers!
To be totally honest, the job I loved was well payed I think at current lorry driver rates. I cleared £900 per week and wasn't busting my balls, but was away from home for very long periods! A year on, post accident, I do bust my balls every single day, but am home nearly every night.
I now clear on a basic week, £300!
This for me is a very bitter pill to swallow, but it's all out of my hands due to the DVLAs medical board rulings. I have no control over current circumstances, so just trying to make the best of the situation.
Want to move forward, but at the same time don't want to continually get mugged off.

[Countdown]

chilistrucker said:

Now, the trick??? question. What do you currently earn, (peanuts) and what would you expect to earn with us?
Beings I'm not used to being on the job hunt, is this a common question a perspective employer asks?

OP - in my view it is a unprofessional question. The prospective employer wants to know how much you currently earn and how much you expect in order to determine how little they need to pay you f they want to appoint you.

If you ask for too little it's to their advantage. If you ask for too much it's irrelevant, they'll still only offer you what the market rate is.

A professional company would know the fair rate / market rate and put that in the job advert.

[chilistrucker]

Countdown, this was pretty much my thinking. I have replied to them, and answered their question, with a question
I'll see what happens and would happily go for an interview to get the full ins and outs of it all.
To be honest, the other job is the one I'd really like.

[RizzoTheRat]

When I left the civil service for the private sector some years ago I had the question of how much money I was looking for, I added a sensible chunk to my previous salary and asked for that...they made me an offer for £1k more than I asked for as that was the bottom of thier pay scales

The moral of this is don't sell yourself short, try and get an idea of what the salaries are like in you chosen industry (I'd have thought there must be a few chauffeurs on PH who may be able to help), and don't be afraid to point out that one reason you're looking to change jobs is that you want more money.