Remember, first you have to get the offer. Then, you can negotiate the terms. Never ask about salary and perks in the initial interview. Set aside those questions for later... much later.
You're interviewing because you want a higher salary, a company car, or three weeks of vacation. But don't start off by asking about a new set of wheels or taking August off. Set aside those questions for later ... much later.
Remember, first you have to get the offer. Then, you can negotiate the terms. In the first interview rounds, you're being judged on your experience and abilities. If you make it clear you're mainly focused on money and perks, the interviewer's perception of your priorities will suffer.
After you get the offer, you'll have a better idea of where you stand, and more power to negotiate since you already know the job is yours.
We interviewed a candidate once (and we emphasize the once!) who, within moments of sitting down in our conference room, shared her long list of compensation requirements. She also asked to see in which office she'd reside and then told us that the desk would need to be moved because she couldn't "possibly sit facing in that direction." The interview was so derailed by her list of demands, we showed her the door!
I was interviewing a candidate for a senior engineering position back in 2000. He was at a public company and his options were worth about $50K for each month he stayed at his job.
My company was about a month away from an IPO, so shares were tough to come by. When we started talking about acceptable offers, he said he was looking for "10's of thousands" of shares.
My first thought was, "does your wife know you are thinking about walking away from $50K/month for an unknown?" My next thought was "what are you, nuts?" Needless to say, we didn't make him an offer.
Last I heard, as his company stock went from $65 to $2, he was still there. I hope he cashed out some of the shares before they went negative on him.
Sigh ...
