The most awkward interview question

What is the most awkward question you have to answer during a job interview? I will tell you about the question I am uncomfortable answering:  “What is your expected salary?” I always push this conversation until the last phase of every interview until I have shown my skills, worth, and accomplishments. I always answer honestly, based on my skills and the value I would bring to the role. Still, it makes me uncomfortable. Because if things go sideways, it will cost me a good job offer.

I will tell you why the question is awkward and how I reply if I have to answer this question. Before that, let me explain why the question is awkward and tricky.

If I lowball the figure to get a job, I will leave well-deserved cash on the table. If I give a high number, the employer will not consider me. 

Even if I learn all the market and salary trends, the employer will have a budget in mind, and hence, all my research findings will be of no use because I will get the job only if my expectation aligns with the budget set for the position. If I try giving a salary range, most employers insist I give a definite answer. So, that option also goes out of the window.

Why do I have to answer the question? If the employer intends to find out if I know my worth well, it is a lose-lose situation - I know my worth, but what good does that do to the employer or me if there is a budget already set for the position? And if the effort is to gauge my professionalism, I believe there are better ways of doing it than asking about the expected salary. 

So, I kept thinking about the possible ways to reply without hurting my chances of landing the right job. I found a reply. Do you know what it is? Just flip the question! I subtly turn the question around and ask the employer about the salary range set for the position. I reply politely and deftly and let the employer divulge the salary range. This method may not work in all instances - it is not a sure-shot way. For me, it works in most instances, and when it does, I always thank the employer for disclosing the salary range. And if the budget is is a little less than my expectation, I evaluate all the non-salary benefits before arriving at a decision. 

I will tell you about the non-salary benefits I look at while considering a job offer. They include a healthy working ambiance, career progression, job security, flexibility, insurance, and health and well-being programs. If the non-salary benefits are worth losing a little money from the CTC, the job opportunity is worth considering. Do you agree? 

Workplace cliques - What I know and how I do not let them affect me and my work

I know that teamwork is integral to the success of every organization. I understand the need for employees to get along. I also know that we tend to gravitate towards people who understand and appreciate us. It's not bad at all. So why am I against cliques or groups at workplaces? Some workplace cliques cause excessive togetherness and make those outside feel less important and worthy. These groups cause exclusivity because they are like secret societies, and having such groups at workplaces can be very toxic. 

Let me give you an example. I am a non-Tamilian living in Chennai. My first workplace in Chennai had many cliques - created by natives. During the initial days, I tried my best to connect with them. But I couldn't. I was always an "outsider" for them. I sat alone most of the time and tried hard to shrug off the negativity of being left out. I can speak Tamil, but not fluently, yet they didn't add me to any clique or make me feel welcomed.

Here is another negative impact of cliques - imagine you get invited for lunch, dinner, night out, or social activity by a group that dominates your workplace. If you politely say "No" due to a personal reason, the group will ignore, snub, exclude you more to ensure the incident affects your mental health and work well-being. 

Some clique members even make snarky remarks about you - they make fun of your attire, language, and even your food habits. I still get many of those. Some of them include my inability to speak certain words in Tamil, the use of coconut oil in my food, and my inability to backbite. 

If cliques or groups impact your work and self-esteem, you don't have to be a part of those groups to excel in your career. Trust me, I have survived more than a decade, and you too can. Keep your conversations at the workplace friendly yet professional, and that healthy barrier will keep you calm and positive all the time. If situations go out of hand, you can always approach your HR or manager, but I don't feel comfortable doing so. Hence, I keep my workplace conversations minimal and professional without giving others the leeway to sneak into my personal life or make me feel left out and excluded. I am better off without being part of cliques. 

After years of hard work, now I know how to live amidst workplace cliques. I don't expect people to include me in their groups now. Yes, I am not part of any workplace clique, and I am okay with it. It's hard but very much possible. When I see toxic groups at the workplace and hear them making snarky remarks about me - Mock me all you want. If my work speaks volumes about who I am, that's all I need.