Job Seekers Beware: The High Costs of Hidden Salaries

A while back, a recruiter reached out to me about a job opportunity and wanted to know if I’d be interested in coming in for an interview.

Honestly, I love working remotely. If I'm going to return to daily commutes, figuring out what to eat for lunch, and general office shenanigans, it's got to be worth it.

But before deciding, I asked a few questions about the job description, company hiring, and location. You know, the usual.

When I got around to asking about their budget for the salary, my palms started to sweat. Suddenly, my tongue felt too big for my mouth. My fingers were having trouble typing the right letters. 

The Fear of Asking About Salary

I didn't feel comfortable asking about money.

Also, I was worried the recruiter would think that's all I was interested in.

Full disclosure, I almost gave into my fear and didn't ask.

But before I could, the introverted side of my common sense, luckily, came to my rescue and said "You are not about to get dressed, leave this house, and sit in traffic to attend an interview only to find out that their budget is too low."

I also remembered the story of a woman I once read about in a similar situation. She didn't feel comfortable asking about the salary, either. In her case, she went for the interview.

Even did three rounds of interviews...on separate days. Meaning she was coming and going, taking days off from her current job to attend.

Only to find out when they presented her with the offer that the salary was less than what she was already earning. In fact, it was FAR less.

I quickly got over my discomfort, put on my professional mask, and asked.

But instead of answering my direct question, the recruiter asked me what my budget was.

Having worked in HR for years, I knew this was a glaring red flag with the trumpet section on full blast.

Since I wasn't interested in having a back-and-forth discussion where we'd both pretend and circle the subject, I cut to the chase. I let her know I was not the candidate she was looking for.

By simply asking, I saved my time and the recruiter's time.

The Importance of Salary Transparency

Salaries shouldn't be a secret.

And, according to a survey by job search engine, Adzuna in 2022, 33% of job seekers agree. These respondents said they "would not attend a job interview before knowing the salary the employer is willing to offer."

If the salary is a "secret" and you decide to go for the interview anyway...well, let your red flag radar be on high alert. You're about to go for a bumpy ride.

In that same survey, 54% also mentioned that they've "straight-out declined a job offer" after they found out the salary.

Think of all the wasted time and effort that went into that. You endure stress, answer a plethora of questions, wait for feedback, and prepare for the interview.

Only to get to the end of the entire process to find out the company can't meet your expectations.

That's sure to leave a bad taste in your mouth.

The Benefits of Open Discussions

The thing is, when there are open discussions about salary, no one is wasting time conducting/attending interviews that lead nowhere.

As the candidate, you have the information you need to make an informed career decision and secure a job that aligns with your financial goals.

Employers who are transparent about salaries also benefit. Honesty about pay helps foster trust. It sets the stage for a positive employee experience. Also, candidates are less likely to walk away during the later stages of the recruitment process.

You save valuable resources and have a more efficient and cost-effective recruitment process.

No wonder companies that are open about their salaries are more likely to attract high-performance talent who are genuinely interested and already aligned.

Let’s get comfortable talking about money.

Time is an asset we can’t get back. Your time is valuable, whether you’re an applicant or the hiring company. Don’t waste it.

Talk about pay. Then decide if this opportunity is worth it BEFORE you head out for the interview.