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How to Ask “What Does This Job Pay?” Tactfully and Gracefully

Abstract art of a job interview scene showing two figures at a desk. The figure on the left, representing a candidate, has a contemplative expression with visual symbols of money like coins and dollar signs floating around them, suggesting thoughts about financial gains. On the right, the interviewer is depicted with a neutral face, surrounded by question marks and speech bubbles with ellipses, indicating a deliberate avoidance of discussing money. The scene is set in a vibrant, stylized office environment.
DALL-E – stoakley-stewart consultants

Sure, the opportunity itself is important. But you can’t pay bills or feed yourself with ‘promise’. And in the business world, we all know one universal thing to be true: “money talks and…other stuff…walks“.

So no candidate can be faulted for wanting to know what a position pays. After all, nobody, not the interviewer nor the candidate, want to go through the entire interviewing process only to find out neither party is on the same page compensation-wise. Yet, there is often a game of chess at play when it comes to the money-talk. If pay for a position isn’t transparent from the get-go, that conversation can get…awkward.

Are you interviewing for a position, keenly interested, have the right stuff but simply NEED to know what the opportunity pays but don’t wish to come across as if “it’s all about the money” for you? We hear you and we’re here for you. Here are some different approaches, tactful and strategic ways to ask The Big Question, plus a hypothetical employer response, PLUS one more kick at that can when you just need to know!


Direct but Tactful Approaches

After Discussion of the Role

  • Candidate: “I appreciate the detailed overview of the responsibilities associated with this role. Given the scope and the expectations, could you provide some insight into the compensation package that aligns with this position?”
  • Employer: “Certainly. For this position, we offer a competitive base salary, which we benchmark against industry standards, plus a range of benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, and performance-related bonuses.”
  • Candidate: “Thank you for sharing that. It helps to understand how comprehensive the package is. Could you specify the salary range that is considered competitive for this role, so I can align it with my current career expectations?”

 

Linking to Career Goals

  • Candidate: “I’m really looking to align my career objectives with a company where I can grow long-term. Could we discuss the overall compensation package, including growth opportunities and benefits?”
  • Employer: “Of course! We believe in rewarding our employees for their contributions. Apart from a base salary, we offer annual bonuses based on company and individual performance, and there are clear paths for advancement, which come with salary increments and additional benefits.”
  • Candidate: “I appreciate your commitment to employee growth and reward. For me to fully understand how this role fits with my professional goals, could you share the starting salary range and typical bonus percentages at this level?”

 

Post-Interview Process Inquiry

  • Candidate: “Now that we’ve discussed the role extensively, could you outline what the total compensation package looks like for this position, including any performance-related bonuses or benefits?”
  • Employer: “Absolutely. The total package includes a competitive salary, health benefits, RRSP/401k matching, and performance bonuses. We also offer flexible working arrangements and professional development opportunities.”
  • Candidate: “Thank you for that detailed explanation. To help me make a well-informed decision, could you please provide the salary range this role falls into? It would also be useful to know how the performance bonuses are structured.”

 

Indirect and Subtle Approaches

Inquiring About Company Norms

  • Candidate: “How does the company approach compensation and benefits in alignment with industry standards?”
  • Employer: “We regularly review our compensation packages to ensure they’re competitive within our industry. This includes not just salaries but also comprehensive benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and career development programs.”
  • Candidate: “That’s reassuring to hear. Could you share what the typical salary range would be for someone with my background in this position? It would help me gauge how competitive the offer is likely to be.”

 

Focusing on Company Benefits

  • Candidate: “Could you tell me more about the benefits the company offers? I am keen to learn how you support your employees’ professional growth and personal well-being.”
  • Employer: “We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support our team members. These include educational assistance programs, wellness programs, and competitive health and life insurance packages. We also have a robust support system for mental health.”
  • Candidate: “It sounds like you have a holistic approach to employee benefits, which is great. Could you also inform me about the salary range for this position? Understanding the entire package will assist me in considering the overall value.”

 

Discussing Role Evolution

  • Candidate: “What does a typical career path look like for someone in this role? And how is the progression supported by training, benefits, and compensation?”
  • Employer: “Individuals in this role typically advance to senior positions within 2-3 years, depending on performance. We support this progression with targeted training programs, mentorship, and, of course, salary adjustments and bonuses as milestones are reached.”
  • Candidate: “I’m glad to hear there’s a clear path for progression. To better understand my starting point in this career path, could you share the initial salary range for this role and how increments are typically handled?”

 

Roundabout Ways

Employee Satisfaction Inquiry

  • Candidate: “In your experience, what do employees value most about working here?”
  • Employer: “Our team really values the holistic approach we take to compensation and benefits. We provide excellent medical benefits, flexible working conditions, and competitive salaries. We’ve found these factors significantly boost employee satisfaction.”
  • Candidate: “That’s encouraging to know. To further understand what ‘competitive salary’ entails in this context, could you specify the salary range for this role?”

 

Long-term Investment Question

  • Candidate: “I’m looking for a position where I can contribute significantly and grow over the long term. How does the company invest in the development and satisfaction of its employees?”
  • Employer: “We invest heavily in our employees’ development through continuous learning opportunities, competitive compensation packages that grow with your role in the company, and recognition programs that reward outstanding performance.”
  • Candidate: “With the emphasis on growth and competitive packages, can you provide some clarity on what the starting salary range would be? This information will help me align my long-term career plans with what the company offers.”

 

Performance Metrics Discussion

  • Candidate: “How are success and performance typically measured here? And how does that relate to compensation and career advancement opportunities?”
  • Employer: “We measure performance through a combination of qualitative assessments and quantitative metrics. High performers can expect promotions and salary increases based on their achievements, which are reviewed annually.”
  • Candidate: “Understanding how performance impacts compensation is critical for me. Could you tell me what the salary range for this position is and how often performance reviews could lead to salary adjustments?”

 

Suffice it to say, pay transparency laws are already in place, are being tabled, or just a matter of time. While divulging compensation forthright, whether in job postings, emails, phone conversations or even in interviews can come with complication(s), nuance and company politics…at some point or another a candidate simply deserves to know. And in the interests of time, energy, efficiency, and basic human decency…the sooner in the process the better!

Job Candidates: we hope some of these scenarios + questions and answers help you in your next job interview, answered job hunting email, and overall career journey!

 


 

P.S. Maybe you’re exploring your options? Or simply curious what’s out there? Have a peruse of our lucrative, important and exciting job opportunities with industry-leaders:

  1. Search via LinkedIn
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P.P.S. We’d be remiss if we didn’t ask…are you an EMPLOYER looking for talent but finding it a bit challenging in this market? We hear you. And we CAN help! Please share your most important and/or pressing hiring needs with us today for a zero pressure conversation about your organization.