Company Size: 10-49 (United States)

I have been a dental hygienist for nearly 20 years but moved to a new area recently. I was subing in an office near my new home and the boss told me there was one day a week open and offered it to me. Yeah, I thought. The doctors like me, the patients are all requesting to see me again and the office staff really get along with. Then out of the blue (2 months into my job) he tells me he has a friend that he wants to help out and that she has been given my job??!!?? Sometimes these dentists just do things we can't understand. But I am still a little bitter about how he gets to play puppetmaster because he said I would still get to sub when their in a bind!!!!

I do not think the 1st interview is the right time to give up your ace. You may want to counter by asking the interviewer what they are looking to pay for the position.

He who "gives it up" 1st loses!

You should answer quite quickly and confidently that it depends on several factors:

1. What is expected of the person you are considering to hire?

2. What are the benefits that the company is offering you

3. What is the procedure for family, personal or office/bldg area emergencies?

4. When and how am I paid?

5. What is your bonus potential for going up the ladder of career advancement?

I do well now and I am the primary bread winner of the household. I need to gross between 4 and 5 thousand to make sure the bills are paid.

I have to say that the interview is a good place to start discussing pay scale. You need to know what is being offered and they need to know what you believe you are worth to their business. I have always been told to start high and sell yourself. I feel that I usually undersell myself and that is hard to judge. Look into what the pay scale is in that area and use that as a guideline. Otherwise you are going in blind.

I think letting them know what your previous compensation package was is ok

The interview is not the time to discuss salary. Let the prospective employer bring the topic up. If the employer requests a desired salary amount you can state that you are open to discuss what range they have budgeted for the position once you know the requirements. It's important to let them provide the initial figure but if it comes down to them pressing you for an amount, give them a range that you'd be comfortable with given the position particulars. You can also state that you take into account the entire compensation and benefit package to determine what your budget and experience can live with.

If they ask..let them know your requirements