Did I screw up these two interview questions? (employment, apply, jobs)

[540_804]

I submitted a resume to a headhunter agency two days ago (at the recommendation of all of you wonderful people who replied to my other thread: Advice for a jobless*, frustrated, desperate recent grad...) and a recruiter with the company called back yesterday.

I was surprised at how quickly she called back! I actually missed the call but I responded about 2 hours later. Because it was so soon after submitting the resume, I assumed the recruiter called just to verify information and let me know how the process worked.

Surprisingly, it was actually a full-fledged interview! Fortunately I was on my computer working on a resume edit at the time so I had that to refer to during the conversation.

The interview actually went really well except for two questions that kind of threw me off a bit:

1) What are your salary expectations?

This caught me off guard because I didn't actually know what position I was interviewing for. She told me she had a few open positions that I might be a good fit for but not any specifics. I answered that I wasn't too sure and not even really concerned about my compensation at the moment and was more interested in the opportunity to gain experience in the industry. Was that an OK answer?

2) Have you recently interviewed for other positions?

This really caught me off guard because I had never been asked that before in other interviews.

I told her that I had interview for a few positions right out of college but took a few months out of the job search to focus on my current job.

This question really concerned me because after I answered I could almost feel the mood/tone of the conversation change a bit. After that question the interview seemed a bit rushed or hurried. Then again it was one of the last questions and it was close to 5pm so maybe the recruiter just wanted to go home for the weekend.

Should I have lied and suggested that I was actively interviewing with other positions?

What do you guys/gals think? How bad did I screw up?

[roadwarrior101]

For your first question, I don't think you necessarily screwed up, but its tricky to answer, regardless. If you don't give them a number, they may think you're evasive. If you give them a number too high, that may turn them off. If you give them a number too low, they'll either try to low-ball you or will think you're underqualified. I suppose that is a fair answer that you gave and doesn't sound like it should be a deal breaker. If it becomes one, you probably wouldn't want to work somewhere that uptight anyway.

Regarding other interviews, I actually think its good to say you are interviewing elsewhere. That'll show that your skills are in demand. You may also want to preface that by saying that this place you're interviewing at is at the top of your list, so that you convey your interest in that company.

[Hemlock140]

On the first question, recruiters don't want to waste the client's time if the salary requirewment is not in the ballpark. On the second, someone who says they have interviewed a lot will be suspect, because if no one else wanted them it's a bad sign. I would prefer to hear that someone has just started to apply and has a few other interviews lined up. That makes it look like others are showing interest in you.

Remember this is just a recruiter anyway, not someone who can offer you a job.

[manderly6]

Was the conversation with a recruiter or a company? If it was a recruiter I wouldn't worry about it. I wouldn't consider that an actual interview.

[joe from dayton]

If you have flex, I'd leave the salary part open ended by saying tht you don't have a set figure in your head, but that you would consider all reasonable offers based on your education and experience.

[sware2cod]

Any time I deal with a recruiter, the first thing that ask is my expected salary or hourly rate. This is something you need to have handy when dealing with them. Have a range if needed. I had a range that was higher for longer commutes, and much lower for telecommute and local work.

they are searching online for jobs that match your skills, and they only want to find those that are acceptable to you as far as salary and skills/experience/education.

IMO, both your answers were fine.

Sending well wishes your way.