DON’T be afraid to bring up the subject of salary during the interview process.

Fifty-six per cent of executives – according to a survey by Accountemps, a staffing service that questioned 150 executives – said they are OK with job-seekers asking about salaries during the first or second interview. And 17 per cent of managers think the phone interview is an appropriate time to discuss compensation.

Only 10 per cent of respondents said the candidate should wait until the third interview or afterward, while 12 per cent think it is more acceptable once the job offer has been made.

“While employers and job applicants don’t have to agree on a final figure right away, general salary requirements should be discussed early in the hiring process to avoid surprises later on,” said Max Messmer, chairman. “When inquiring about salary for the first time, job-seekers should be prepared to hear a broad range – employers want to get a sense of their qualifications and fit for the position before extending a formal offer.”

Accountemps offers tips to help job candidates discuss salaries during interviews:

. Be prepared. Look up salary sources online or talk to professionals in the same industry.

. View the current job market. Your experience and skills should also be taken into account when trying to create a reasonable compensation amount.

. Maintain flexibility. You may have to be willing to compromise on certain areas.

. Put it in writing. Make sure the employer creates a letter of agreement that discusses the details of the offer, such as job duties and payment.