10 Best Answers to “What Are Your Salary Expectations”

If you can’t sidestep the salary expectations question or flip the script, a research-focused approach can be a great alternative. It lets the hiring manager know that your figure isn’t arbitrary. Alright, as we mentioned above, the hiring manager asks salary expectations questions to determine what you’re looking for financially. It’s a way for them to gauge if you both agree about compensation, as well as whether the company could actually afford you at all.

So, although you do not want to seem desperate, you can still provide a vague answer to this common interview question. Comparing salaries with people in your network who have the job you want is another way to gain insight, Fink says. “Ideally, employers and recruiters would be upfront with salary information and volunteer it first, but that’s not often the case,” Fink adds. If you’re filling out a paper job application with questions about your current, previous, or expected salary, just leave those questions blank. Either the recruiter will just let it go, or they’ll verbally ask you for those numbers, and you can fall back on the scripts we covered earlier. Now it’s time for them to decide whether to extend a job offer.

Why Do Companies Ask: “What Are Your Salary Expectations?”

You’ll know exactly what to improve to turn your next interview into a job. Ideally, you don’t just want to give these resources a quick glance. Instead, learn the figures and make note of where you found the information.

sample answers to “What are your salary expectations” interview question

It’s more and more common to see salary questions on job applications—both paper and online. So let’s talk about how to use this strategy when confronted with the salary expectations questions on an application. So let’s say that you’re playing how to answer what are your salary expectations a game, and your goal is to get past the salary expectations without sharing your salary requirements. This is Level 1, and the script I just gave you will usually win the game.

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• Unfortunately, not every employer has a culture of transparency surrounding pay, Fink says, so you might not encounter this hurdle until you apply or interview.
• They want to fill the position just as badly as you want the job.
• They may even claim the interview process cannot continue if you don’t share your salary expectations.
• At every stage of the interview process, your primary goal is to tell a story about how their company will be better with you on their team.
• Nobody likes wasting time, and you especially don’t want to waste someone’s time when they might be the gatekeeper for a great job opportunity, right?
• Make use of websites like Glassdoor, Payscale, and Indeed to get an idea of the salary range.
• For example, you might tell them your expected salary is $65,000, but the minimum they pay for that job is $70,000.

If you’re unsure, give a range that reflects your worth and leave room for negotiation. This will help you tailor your response based on a more comprehensive understanding of the job requirements, company culture and the overall compensation package. Revealing your current salary can make the employer base their offer on your current pay, which might not reflect your true market worth or the value of the new job. In general, giving a thoughtful answer to the salary expectations query can improve your chances in the interview. It shows you’re professional, ready, and a good fit for the job, which can impress the interviewer and boost your chances of getting hired. Giving a good answer to the compensation expectations question can make the interview process smoother.

I am looking for a salary that reflects my value to the organization and offers opportunities for professional growth. This answer demonstrates your understanding of leadership compensation. It also opens the door for discussing additional incentives. Lying can harm your chances if the employer verifies this information. If you must provide a number, share your researched range.

“What is your salary expectation?” Sample answers for no experience

Money is not the only consideration for many employees in today’s industries. Other compensations methods, including benefits, can come into play. As much as you possibly can, try to avoid having to provide an answer over email or in an application. Instead, Eonnet says, suggest hopping on a quick phone call, and summarize your agreement afterwards if need be in writing. But I still get some pushback, and it’s almost always from recruiters. They’re not going to stop interviewing you just because you don’t make it easier for them to get a good deal on you.

And you don’t want to be a passive participant in the negotiation process. You still have a steady income coming in, but you want to reach the highest salary potential possible. To do this, reiterate the value you bring to the table (based on the research you did in the previous step) and say what your salary range is. Our interview prep tool will guide you through all the questions you can expect, let you record and analyze your answers, and provide instant AI feedback.

Be mindful of the appropriate timing for discussing salary expectations. The early stages of the hiring process, which include application forms and initial interviews, typically focus on the company’s needs and your qualifications. Steer the conversation toward your skills and experiences without delving into specific numbers. Career experts recommend that job candidates anticipate, prepare and strategize for potential questions. One of the most nerve-wracking questions is, “What are your salary expectations?

• Employers ask about salary to discover how much of a match exists between the money they’ll be offering and a candidate’s compensation expectations.
• Giving a good answer to the compensation expectations question can make the interview process smoother.
• It’s true that they may do some digging and put together a good educated guess as to what you’re making anyway, but maybe they won’t.
• This strategy will leave the salary expectations question open longer, allowing you to impress them more so you have more leverage during your salary negotiation.
• Alright, as we mentioned above, the hiring manager asks salary expectations questions to determine what you’re looking for financially.
• Instead, focus on your skill and experience and the value you bring to the role.
• So unlike many other common interview questions, your response to “What is your desired salary?

“What Are Your Salary Requirements?”: 10 Smart Answers

While they expected to make $103,880 right after getting that diploma, the reality is that the average starting salary is between $55,000 and $58,000. While salary is important, my priority for now is finding a role where I can use my skills and experience effectively. With my background in relevant experience and proficiency in key skills, I believe I can contribute meaningfully.

Instead, you can try to flip the script, increasing the odds that the first number entering the discussion comes from the hiring manager. With this response, you’re creating an opportunity to learn more about the position while coming across as cooperative without underselling yourself. Its tone is confident but prevents you from having to give a hard number, and that can work to potentially delay the salary negotiation part of the equation. If you only do one thing to get ready for the “What are your salary expectations? Head to salary-tracking websites like Salary.com, Payscale, and Glassdoor to find out what the going rate for that job is in your area.