Personal Brands: Craziest Advice Ever

Why do job coaches tell you to EVADE a straightforward answer when a recruiter asks you this simple question?

“What do you expect to earn in terms of salary and related compensation, given the role and responsibilities associated with this position in our company?”

1. Job coaches earn money for coaching you to get a job, but lose their income stream if you actually land a job.
2. It’s been a long time since job coaches have succeeded in a job interview, much less held a job, so they are giving you advice from the 1980’s.
3. You appear to be a turnip living off nutrients from the soil, rather than a person seeking employment.

Would anybody who cared about you tell you to wear a funny hat to an interview?

Go naked?

Eat a Philly cheese steak during the interview?

Make sure to bring up your thoughts on Warren Beatty’s daughter getting a sex change (unless you are applying for a medical job, in which case they counsel you to talk about the need to re-cane all the broken chairs you are hoarding in your parents’ garage)?

Or tell you to do everything you can to avoid answering a simple question, which would show you:

1. Came prepared to land the job
2. Have done research on the company and compensation for the job in its sector
3. Understand your value and the value of your skill set

Clearly, I am puzzled by the rash of sort of angry diatribes from coaches who last week responded to my post by defending why they counsel you to think of money as a roadside bomb.

Here’s the truth

Employers are actively seeking employees who can help move their companies in a direction of growth (or stability).  They want sincere, straightforward communicators with integrity. They want to avoid hiring people who are:

1. Crazy
2. Liars
3. Difficult to get along with

They want people who are:

1. Honest
2. Team players
3. Good at what they do

In my post last week, I recommended you come prepared to answer the compensation question. Maybe that’s why CNBC called me their top job coach. Jeri Hird Dutcher agrees, and she is a super career coach with great strategies to help you get ahead.

On the other hand, among the comments from my post last week, I am glad to have drawn fire from other coaches whom you may hire if you want to dance like a gargoyle in your next interview.

Benefits from avoidance

It seems that if you are seeking an employer who likes obfuscation, frustration, and irrational chatter about simple things, there is a preponderance of coaches who can help you engage in the kind of dialogue that starts you off on the left foot, on the wrong beat.

Alternatively, when you want a great job with a great employer and a great start on a great relationship that will lead to great opportunities for greater challenges and greater income, then just answer the question when it’s asked.

“What do you expect to earn in terms of salary and related compensation, given the role and responsibilities associated with this position in our company?”

I urge you:

1. Do your research so you know the company and compensation range
2. Know what you are worth and the best way to articulate that
3. Come prepared to be hired!

Angry, defensive, and personal attacks should follow in the comment section below.