Comments on: PHP Interview Questions And Answers

By: Alexandr

Alexandr — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 03:08:02 +0000

Brandon, I didn’t understood why you think that salary range need to be one number?

More I have write in my resume two numbers
- what salary I agree to have
- what salary I want to have
and be sure that I want is reasonable for me, and it isn’t for boss. Someone who don’t want to know what I want and isn’t ready to help me in this – can not be my boss.

By: Hari K T

Hari K T — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:00:50 +0000

Yes I too agree with @andriesss about the current salary . I don’t know why people are asking the current CTC .
They want to compare the range we are asking and they don’t love to give us what we ask .
Good post Brandon .

By: Michael Kimsal

Michael Kimsal — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:38:27 +0000

I’ve gone back to someone after giving a range upped it, and it worked. If you’re someone they’re interested in, they’ll work with you. Not everyone will, but some will. In my case, I would have been moving out of town for them, and said that after discussing things with my wife, I’d realized the range I’d given was not quite where we needed to be. They accepted that. The range was only about $8k higher – it wasn’t *outrageous*. To that end, I understand Brandon’s point about locking yourself in ‘too low’.

I find that it’s courteous to give people an idea of what range I’m looking for early on, even before a ‘formal’ interview. Done properly, it’s courteous and respectful of the time of both parties, and I can often refer them to someone else who might be a better fit based on skills, money range, location, etc.

I get recruiter calls probably 3-4 times per month, which I realize isn’t the same as applying to a company directly, but it’s so much easier to get money/ranges out of the way up front.

If someone’s only capable of paying $15/hour and you’re looking for $90/hour, there’s very little point in wasting anyone’s time. If they’re thinking 40 and you’re thinking 45, that can be the time to be a bit cagey, and knowing how to recognize those situations (imo) mostly comes from experience.

By: Brandon Savage

Brandon Savage — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:53:12 +0000

If you want to give a range, that’s fine. But I have personally experienced the cost of doing so: an employer would have offered me $10,000 more if I had not given a salary range. Instead, my highest number became the highest number I could ever negotiate. Don’t do that to yourself.

By: Andries Seutens

Andries Seutens — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:22:52 +0000

I mostly agree with what Rick says. I find it ok to give a salary range. If the range is too high for the company it simply won’t work anyway. You should know what you are worth, and need to live comfortably.

Some companies are rude and even ask about your current salary at your current employer. You should avoid telling them that in any way possible. They have no business in asking, and it’s completely irrelevant.

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:04:09 +0000

I also disagree on the salary question. An interview is not the same thing as a salary negotiation. I answer this question with a range and leave the details about compensation to later on in the process.

By: Jon Whitcraft

Jon Whitcraft — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:04:14 +0000

Brandon,

Thanks for posting these good tips. I’m going through the exact same thing right now and I’ve got two phones interviews lined up today.

I’m defiantly now more prepared for them!

By: John Mertic

John Mertic — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:29:11 +0000

I agree with Brandon here; let your prospective employer throw out a figure before you do. And try to make salary negotiations the last part of the interviewing process; by that time both sides will have a better understanding of each other so the number given will be more realistic.

By: Brandon Savage

Brandon Savage — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:55:02 +0000

I’ve found in negotiating that the number you give them will never get any larger (or smaller if you’re negotiating a price). Best not to give them a reason not to pay you what they think you’re worth.

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:35:06 +0000

I disagree a bit about the salary stuff, I think that depends on personal circumstances. I know exactly what I’m worth in terms of market value, and I know what I need to live comfortably. In my experience, most companies tend offer a salary higher than the number I suggest, because they feel the competition will do the same (which is usually true).

If the number I give them is too high, it’s simply not a match. Unless it’s a start-up with limited funds, I don’t trust an employer that would skimp on developer salaries. Or they may not trust me to deliver but are desperate enough to offer me a contract anyway. Also something I really want to avoid.