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This is an incredibly nearsighted approach for reasons other responses partially point out. First you have confused uncertainty with a bad scenario. For all yo

This is an incredibly nearsighted approach for reasons other responses partially point out. First you have confused uncertainty with a bad scenario. For all you know the offer from the first company would end up much higher than from the second but you won't know. Second, and this is probably a bigger deal - lack of exact range often indicates flexibility in seniority, skillset and scope. So in your case, your only good scenario is if you match exactly the picture of an employee company 2 has in mind for the role/comp. If you are just a little under, you won't make the cut. If you are any over, they will underpay you. Comoany 2 gave themselves more flexibility with hiring and paying you. Eg if you aren't quite on the level they thought, they could level you down as a say in, which you would appreciate. Similarly if you are beyond what they expected they may offer you more than you'd think, and more than company 2. Mainly, you have cut yourself off from valuable information and potentially leverageable competing offers because you couldn't hang with a bit of uncertainty.

benlivengood 5y ago
> Second, and this is probably a bigger deal - lack of exact range often indicates flexibility in seniority, skillset and scope. The flexibility should be reflected in the job title or level; salary bands are vital to ensure that people at the same level are being compensated equitably and know what they're interviewing for up front. It's totally fine to tell candidates they're going to aim for a L4 position with the possibility of L5 (or higher) depending on interviews.
- xyzelement 5y ago
  Jobs are less cookie cutter than your post implies though, especially at the higher levels. Personal example - my last job (hedge fund) really wanted me. It took them forever to find someone of my profile - a mix of background, technical skills, domain knowledge, and personality so they wanted to have me. The way they set my salary was like this: they looked at what I was making and added enough on top that I couldn't refuse. The first and last conversation we had about money was at the end of the interview process when they made me a really good offer. I didn't bother negotiating. If I asked them during the 1st call what the salary was, they wouldn't be able to say because the salary was based on how much they wanted me and my circumstances. You can think that's inequitable and that's valid, but from a persona standpoint I'd be a fool if I had ended the conversation at that time.
  - wuschel 5y ago
    > a mix of background, technical skills, domain knowledge, and personality What kind of position did you get hired for? An IT related role, or something more exotic? If it is the latter, I would be delighted to have a chat if you would be interested. See my contact details for my profile.
    - xyzelement 5y ago
      I am in product but my background is in engineering management.

benlivengood 5y ago

> Second, and this is probably a bigger deal - lack of exact range often indicates flexibility in seniority, skillset and scope. The flexibility should be reflected in the job title or level; salary bands are vital to ensure that people at the same level are being compensated equitably and know what they're interviewing for up front. It's totally fine to tell candidates they're going to aim for a L4 position with the possibility of L5 (or higher) depending on interviews.

xyzelement 5y ago
Jobs are less cookie cutter than your post implies though, especially at the higher levels. Personal example - my last job (hedge fund) really wanted me. It took them forever to find someone of my profile - a mix of background, technical skills, domain knowledge, and personality so they wanted to have me. The way they set my salary was like this: they looked at what I was making and added enough on top that I couldn't refuse. The first and last conversation we had about money was at the end of the interview process when they made me a really good offer. I didn't bother negotiating. If I asked them during the 1st call what the salary was, they wouldn't be able to say because the salary was based on how much they wanted me and my circumstances. You can think that's inequitable and that's valid, but from a persona standpoint I'd be a fool if I had ended the conversation at that time.
- wuschel 5y ago
  > a mix of background, technical skills, domain knowledge, and personality What kind of position did you get hired for? An IT related role, or something more exotic? If it is the latter, I would be delighted to have a chat if you would be interested. See my contact details for my profile.
  - xyzelement 5y ago
    I am in product but my background is in engineering management.