The KILLER Question! What do you make?
As you may be aware, in Texas (and other states) this question is still asked. What you may not be aware of is that you're probably answering the question wrong and I’m going to tell you why.
Most often people think only of their salary. There is so much more to what you make than your salary and changing jobs for only a larger base salary may not always be the best idea.
I’m going to give you some things to think about so that if you get this question during the actual interview or at any other time during the process you have an idea of an alternative route other than spitting out a paycheck amount.
What you make includes:
1.??????Base salary
a.??????This is what you get paid for showing up and doing the bare minimum (which should never be your goal)
2.??????Incentives, bonuses, commissions
a.??????This is what you get when you bring in revenue, do a great job that is over and above, work on a base + commission
3.??????Benefits
a.??????This includes healthcare (medical, dental, vision), 401K, life insurance policy
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4.??????PTO
a.??????Earned personal time off (or vacation depending upon how the company structures things), paid holidays (how many do you get and how many do they offer)
5.??????Ability to work remotely or in a hybrid situation
a.??????A balanced schedule allowing a better quality of life
6.??????Any memberships of associations that fall under your function (memberships can be expensive and that may be covered by your employer which you should also count as part of your package)
a.??????AMA, PRSA, IABC, ANA, HIMA, NBDA – each has a membership fee as well as fees to attend the events
There is a monetary value to each of these items. These are items you should first focus on when looking at changing jobs or careers. Add it up! And then consider what is the best way to answer the question because it may be to not actually answer the question but rather to turn it around and ask the hiring company: “does ABC COMPANY include ______, _______, _______, and _______?â€
When you get the answers, you can simply say that this information helps to align with what you are seeking to move from your current position or company. You can state that while you are giving up the internal networks you’ve built and taking a risk, you are open to the risk because you know what you’re capable of doing.
There are ways to navigate (I have been using that word longer than Kelly Clarkson has been alive) these conversations! Make sure you are getting expert advise before diving into these conversations and practice your truthful answers.
Seasoned Business Development pro, helping companies in a variety of industries to effectively recover outstanding debt to improve cash flow and boost client relations.
3 å¹´Oh, and don't forget other incidentals like a company car, phone, computer, etc.
Seasoned Business Development pro, helping companies in a variety of industries to effectively recover outstanding debt to improve cash flow and boost client relations.
3 å¹´Great advice, Trish! As you know, we had a candidate leave a lot of money on the table recently because when asked that question, they blurted out an answer without taking everything into account or what the proposed starting salary was. You never want to undersell yourself. Just because your current employer only pays you X, doesn't mean that DEF company won't pay you X+xxx because they want you and appreciate what you can bring to them.