Should you talk about the salary range until right before signing the contract?

[jjfz3000]

1. It won't jeopardize getting the job.

2. If you want a wage higher than specified then it's much easier to do so now since employer might not want to waste the time to fire you and hire someone else.

[Phlegmbot]

Salary negotiation is a normal part of the hiring process. Talking about it is not taboo or anything.

You obviously need to do it before signing anything - exactly how much before doesn't really matter, as long as the time is appropriate. You're allowed to ask for something at the high end of the range - if it's too much, they won't give it to you. They also won't fire you for asking for too much.

[o0aZuMi0o]

You should always talk about salary range before signing the contract. Once you've signed it, you can't really negotiate anymore since you signed on their terms of the contract.

[pitz]

Yeah, if you're not in the same ballpark, then, as an employee, you'll be dissappointed and harbour resentment if you accept something that's much lower than expectations. If the employer goes higher than their own range, then they'll have a big incentive to find someone else in the future.

[angekfire]

It would depend on my situation, when I'd decide to ask. If I already have a decent job, and I know I am good for what the other company is looking for, I am probably going to ask straight up, "What is the salary range." If I wait until they are ready to hire me and I have the contract in hand, and then I find out I am making more at my current job, I just wasted a ton of time on these interviews and such. But if I ask straight up, and they tell me it is less than I want, I can just say "Sorry, I don't want to waste your time or mine, I don't think I am a good fit for this position." and then I don't waste time going to all these interviews, and they don't waste time interviewing me.

On the other hand, if I didn't have a job and was going to accept just about anything anyway, beggers can't be choosers.

[kin0kin]

It would depend on my situation, when I'd decide to ask. If I already have a decent job, and I know I am good for what the other company is looking for, I am probably going to ask straight up, "What is the salary range." If I wait until they are ready to hire me and I have the contract in hand, and then I find out I am making more at my current job, I just wasted a ton of time on these interviews and such. But if I ask straight up, and they tell me it is less than I want, I can just say "Sorry, I don't want to waste your time or mine, I don't think I am a good fit for this position." and then I don't waste time going to all these interviews, and they don't waste time interviewing me.

On the other hand, if I didn't have a job and was going to accept just about anything anyway, beggers can't be choosers.

ditto. I usually ask during the first phone call. Usually after they asked if I'm still working. They are understandable and won't waste your time if it's not up to your expectation. (neither do they want to waste their time)