Urgent: How can I make this interview answer better?

[underemployed2015]

Ok, I took out the salary reason completely and updated the answer to fit my situation using some of the content from fishbrains where I can. Any tips on how it can be improved or did I make it worse? Is it convincing enough? I know that the answer to this question will be critical for this interview.

This is an interview with HR so my answer to the question is:
"I spoke with (Name of Hiring Manager) about this opening in the past and this position at (Name of Company) was my first choice job all along. It is the perfect fit with my industry background aligned to the team focus on X and my other work experience. However, I took my current job due to time constraints as I graduated. The current company is great and I’ve learned a great amount in my time here but the position at (Name of Company) is more aligned with my industry experience and the right level for me. The second reason is the location itself. I highly prefer the Chicago area and have a great network of friends and colleagues from my time in graduate school. I am a big city guy and Cleveland is not really the right fit for me."

[joe from dayton]

Remove this: "Also, my current position did not give much credit to my previous work experience at all and I don't think that my salary is competitive enough as a result even for a lower cost of living city."

[fishbrains]

Originally Posted by joe from dayton

Remove this: "Also, my current position did not give much credit to my previous work experience at all and I don't think that my salary is competitive enough as a result even for a lower cost of living city."

Agreed. Don't talk salary or compensation at this stage. Get them to buy into you as their preferred candidate, then talk about compensation.

If you broach the subject too early, you will be tempted to lowball your salary, or give a stupid range (never give a range!) in an effort to stay competitive. Once they determine you are the person, they are going to want to give you more just to avoid going to the #2 candidate, who they don't like as much.

Job interviews are like first dates. Don't air dirty laundry about your ex, and don't tell your date you pick your nose in the shower, until after you have slept together. (Maybe not even then, but you get the idea). Except for job interviews you don't talk badly about previous employers, and you don't talk about money until they make you an offer.

[jman07]

Originally Posted by fishbrains

Agreed. Don't talk salary or compensation at this stage. Get them to buy into you as their preferred candidate, then talk about compensation.

If you broach the subject too early, you will be tempted to lowball your salary, or give a stupid range (never give a range!) in an effort to stay competitive. Once they determine you are the person, they are going to want to give you more just to avoid going to the #2 candidate, who they don't like as much.

Job interviews are like first dates. Don't air dirty laundry about your ex, and don't tell your date you pick your nose in the shower, until after you have slept together. (Maybe not even then, but you get the idea). Except for job interviews you don't talk badly about previous employers, and you don't talk about money until they make you an offer.

This.