HR People!! HELP!

[Pin Wizard]

Can someone clue me in here please! What is with all the companies asking for your references when just completing an application form? <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_2_210.gif' alt='No' border=0></a> I sure don't want them contacting my references before I even know a salary range for a position! Does anyone remember years ago when they actually had a salary range in newspaper ads? WHAT'S UP? One reference in particular is selective in referring due to the nature of their job. To put them down just because they want the info doesn't fly. Any way around this? I'm even looking to call HR and ask what the range is, but I can't find a phone number for them. Just a general 800 number for the company. It's completely unfair that they ask for the salary I'm looking to make, but they don't tell me a range. I can save myself a couple hours work getting things together, postage, etc. if they tell me what it is! If it's too low, I'm NOT interested...save me the time and work. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Thanks!

<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_29_112.gif' alt='Stop The Madness' border=0></a>

 

[Pin Wizard]

Bump!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I agree with you, Sandy. It doesn't seem right.

That's been a peeve of mine too. There should be a range given. But IMO it's advantageous to a business not to post a range. They could get a potential employee for less if someone is willing to undercut themselves. Easy to do without a range. In the past, I would always ask for it prior to giving my salary requirements. It's a shame you are having problems contacting the HR dept..

And I also agree with the references. There should be a way to word your reply to the effect that it will be given after the interview process and/or upon a job offer.

Frustrating situation!

 

[Pugdog007]

I don't divulge salary unless I'm making an offer, and I must check references before an offer can be made. You should never come out and ask about salary during the interview... it doesn't come across well. If you were asked for a salary range in an ad or on a qualifying call and you provided this to them, they won't contact you unless the job they're considering for you meets your criteria.

I would absolutely not contact their HR Dept.

If you have references you do not want contacted, I wouldn't list them.

 

[Pin Wizard]

OceanAnnie...Actually, I did send an e-mail to the HR dept. They got back to me within 10 minutes with the salary range! Now I'm holding off on applying for now. The low end is less than I got when I started working at a hospital 10 YEARS AGO!! The cap is lower than I was making when I left my last job, but it's probably bearable. But we know employers don't like to give you the high end. I will probably pass on this one...even though it's sitting here in an envelope just waiting to be mailed. Next time, perhaps I should ask before completing the application form.

I wouldn't mind giving them references at an interview. If I don't get an interview with them at all, they have no business having my references.

Pugdog...I'd never ask about salary during an interview. I suppose them asking for a salary is good in light of being eliminated for the lower paying jobs. But still...knowing a range right off the bat would save ME a lot of time and postage! Of course, companies don't care about that. I think they should all take a turn at being unemployed. Then they might care about it.

 

[Cyndiu]

Personally, I rarely list the salary range when I place an ad. The reason is: I get flooded with unqualified resumes from people who want a salary higher than theirs. I know that sounds arrogant, but it is really the truth.

Having said that, when I recruit for a position, I have a preset salary range and do not pay beneath that range once established. Naturally, I want to pay a competitive wage for a qualified person, but I certainly don't want a disgruntled employee once they're on board and find out what the range for their salary grade is.

Finally, I ask for a range because I don't want to waste their time or mine if the applicant is seeking significantly more than I can pay AND if all applicants are asking for the same money and its more than I thought I'd have to pay, it helps to possibly re-evaluate what the range is for the job.

(sorry so long)

 

[Pugdog007]

So you're saying they requested references in the ad? I thought you meant at the interview. They wouldn't contact any of them until after the interview surely... I wouldn't anyway.

Just for the record, I always list a very broad salary range (30-50) in ads for sales reps (commissions can really vary). Then I do a phone qualifier and I ask them what their salary requirements really are before ever doing an interview.

 

[Pugdog007]

Originally posted by Cyndiu
I have a preset salary range and do not pay beneath that range once established.

Same here, if that makes you feel any better Pin.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Cyndiu...Interesting! I suppose a good number of people might be looking to take a leap in salary.

Prime example here...I guess about 5 years ago or so, I applied for a job and interviewed for an Admin Asst with an insurance company. As we were talking, the guy looked at my application and noticed what salary I was looking for. What they were willing to pay was $10,000 less! Had I known that, I wouldn't have wasted my time. But there was a silver lining. He said that if they found the same with others they were interviewing, they would do a salary survey and revise their pay scale. I did get a call from him saying that the salary I was looking for was fine.

Pugdog...Actually, it was right on the application! They wanted three references. Couldn't be former employers, and something else they listed. That stinks too! LOL! I remember my former boss saying that even if a company were to try and contact her directly, they would get HR who would just verify dates of employment and nothing else. She also said I could use her as a personal reference in that case, and she would give a good reference for me. Sheesh! The ins and outs of it. LOL! So in this case, I couldn't put down my boss of 8 years because she was my former "employer" so to speak. Well, if I worked for her 8 years, I would think she was happy with my work or I wouldn't have been there that long. But they'll never know that, and there's my best reference out the window.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I'm glad you got the information you wanted, Sandy.

I can see both POV. Still it's a waste of time for qualified people to go to the trouble of applying for a position and find out after the whole deal that the range is too low. It's a lot of time and effort. (For both parties.)

 

[Pin Wizard]

Thanks, OceanAnnie. I really wasn't expecting them to answer at all. It surprised me. That's right...it is a lot of time and effort for both.

P.S. I do tend to apply for more Federal, state, and city jobs because they DO give the exact range or salary they will pay! Much, much easier. The trick is to get in there!! LOL!