Interview Etiquette-Benefits?

[emilymad]

I was reading the thread about when to mention vacation time during the interview process. It made me think that maybe I am unclear on interviewing etiquette. I am interviewing for a new job since I am being laid off. I went to an interview a few weeks ago. It went well and I liked the company. We talked about when I could start and I told them I couldn't leave until a certain date. They kept trying to push for earlier but I told them no. It somewhat concerned me that they were being so pushy. They called me in for a second interview. I was only there for a few minutes when they offered me the job. I was pretty surprised that they did it on the spot. The money was ok but not great so I said I would think about until the following day. I realized when I left the interview that I hadn't asked about benefits. I immediately emailed the person that I interviewed with about this when I got home. In the end the benefits were horrible so I declined the job. I always thought that benefits shouldn't be discussed until the job was offered. Would it have been ok to ask about this during the first interview? I went through a lot of grief and some unpleasantness with this company. I am not upset about turning down the job since if this the way they treated me I certainly didn't want to work there. I would like to know what is the proper thing for the future since I will hopefully be going on a lot more interviews. Thanks!!!

 

[offwegotoneverland]

Benefits are a part of the whole compensation thing. (along with vacation time etc) I would think they should be discussed only when salary would be as well.

For instance you could ask about ben. in a n interview in general find out they are so-so but the salary is fantastic...but you don't know that about the salary yet.

Or so so salary with amazing ben. and vacation policies.

Always be prepared with a list of questions like these for the second interview as by then they are normally pretty serious.

 

[EthansMom]

I've been to several interviews where the benefits information was given to you at the interview (to be looked at later), but most places only give the detailed benefits information when they're extending a job offer.

IMO, it's good to ask about benefits during an initial interview, but I would do so later in the interview after you've discussed the job responsibilities and your abilities. Usually, a good interviewer will ask, "Do you have any questions for me?" and that's a good time to ask about benefits. But, expect the answer to be general, for instance, "We offer a 401k with a company match and health insurance." Don't expect the interviewer to tell you what investment company handles the 401k or what different health insurance options are available.

For DH's last job, the benefits were terrible. He added the amount of money he'd need to pay for his own benefits into his salary requirements. The company wasn't happy about it, but that was what it took to get DH on board.

 

[ducklite]

I don't see a problem with asking a very basic question about what types of benefits are offered towards the end of a first interview. It's better than wasting a companies time with a second interview. I interviewed for a job a year ago that I asked, and found out they give no sick/personal, and only five vacation days a year. When they called me back for a second, I politely declined, that was just unacceptable to me and I didn't want to waste anyone's time.

Anne

 

[emilymad]

ducklite,
The problem with this job was only 5 days off a year. I thought that was so ridiculous. I can't believe there are other companies out there offering the same thing. There wasn't a salary that would have made up for that. I did give them the opportunity to increase their offer but they refused.

Thanks to everyone for your help!

 

[m&m's mom]

ducklite,
The problem with this job was only 5 days off a year. I thought that was so ridiculous. I can't believe there are other companies out there offering the same thing. There wasn't a salary that would have made up for that. I did give them the opportunity to increase their offer but they refused.

Thanks to everyone for your help!

I work in this area and I can tell you not only is that unusual - it is unheard of (at least for a "professional" job).
Our company starts at 2 weeks vacation and a week of float UPON HIRE! It is, of course, prorated if you start during the year.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

Benefits shouldn't be discussed until a job offer is made or at least until the second interview when the employer may bring them up. You wouldn't ask the salary in your initial interview, and benefits are a part of your compensation and shouldn't be asked about either. Of course, there are companies that will give you a brief overview of the total package, which should be sufficient until an offer is made.

In the end, most all is negociable in a professional - non government - environment. Salary, vacation, incentives can vary depending on market conditions.

 

[Tazicket]

Just subscribing- this is really helpful, since I'll be interviewing for a new job soon and DH and I already have vacation reservations for December.

 

[Hedy]

FWIW, I asked about benefits in an interview (health insurance) and got the job, so...