How to Answer What Are Your Salary Expectations?

Sure, you could always just say any random number and cross your fingers. But that would be a pointless waste of an opportunity to increase your chances of receiving the job offer. Some entry-level jobs will require no experience, and the candidate will want a position no matter what the salary is.

• Instead, express your interest in discussing compensation once you know more about the position and the responsibilities it entails.
• Discussing salary is a normal and expected part of the hiring process.
• Before attending an interview, it’s essential to do your homework.
• If you undervalue your skillset, they’ll take advantage of that low number.
• For example, there’s a current tech skills gap that means certain skill sets are in high demand and may command higher salaries as companies search for new employees who can fill crucial needs.

OysterLink is a job platform for the restaurant and hospitality industry. We connect talented professionals with top employers in restaurants, hotels, and hospitality venues. Timing is crucial, but outright deflection might raise concerns. Instead, express your interest in discussing compensation once you know more about the position and the responsibilities it entails.

This shows you’re thoughtful and focused on finding the right fit, not just the highest paycheck. “Problem solving is my greatest strength. I love debugging and optimizing code. Recently, I refactored a payment module that reduced page load time by 60% and improved user satisfaction.” Keep it under 2 minutes and practise your answer in front of a mirror. It’s always possible, and equally important to plan for, getting rejected. If the answer is “maybe” or “not now,” be prepared to ask about the next steps and when a decision will be made. With over eight years of experience in the field, Mitko is a seasoned content specialist who has penned thousands of articles covering a wide array of topics.

She had a much richer experience than the candidates I normally interviewed. Know your worth through research, and don’t wing it — this question is almost guaranteed to come up. Hiring managers are gauging whether you understand the value of the role — and yourself. For example, if you want to receive somewhere between $80,000 and $95,000, you can give a range of $85,000 – $100,000. So that you’ll end up happy even if the hiring manager gives you an offer below your original range. You can then follow up with questions about the benefits that matter most to you like 401(k) matching or additional PTO.

For example, let’s say a company’s hiring range for a data scientist is $110,000 to $135,000. A candidate with less experience may get the low end of the salary range, while an incredibly experienced candidate may get the high end. The salary expectation questions during job interviews most likely can make the job candidates awkward and uncomfortable to give an answer.

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No rule says you how to answer what are your salary expectations cannot turn the question around on the prospective employer. You can use it to deflect from your answer and get an idea of what the company’s available salary range will be. Essentially, you deflect this salary question by giving them a vague response as a starting point that does not include a salary amount until later in the interview process.

• He uses his expertise in digital marketing to improve visibility and user engagement, helping job seekers make the most of Sensei AI’s real-time interview assistance.
• By giving such vague answers full of buzzwords that have little meaning, they’re putting all the power into the recruiter’s hands.
• If you haven’t fully understood the job scope or the company’s priorities, you might undersell yourself or misalign expectations.
• Unless you are okay with potentially taking a salary near that lower end, you may not want to use this approach.

Compare the Salary in Your Current/Previous Job With the New Salary you Want

One of the most nerve-wracking questions is, “What are your salary expectations? ” At some stage in the hiring process, 57% of employers question candidates about their salary expectations, according to PayScale. Experts have found ways that you can pitch the answer to boost your chances of landing the salary you’re looking for and deserve. Employers ask for your expected salary during a job interview to determine if your expectations align with their budget for the position.

Effective Ways To Answer Your Salary Expectations In Job Interviews

First, if their range is above your base salary, thank them for sharing the information then confirm that that’s also your rough expectation. If it’s less than your expectation, tell them that it’s lower but willing to talk further about this. At the end of the day, they will hire candidates who they can afford. For example, if there are five candidates with similar skill levels, the company will hire the candidate who offers lower pay.

Following these steps won’t only help you form a realistic idea of how much you can ask for, but also what salary you’re likely to be offered. Additionally, note what the organization may provide that could affect your budget, or would not be providing that could suddenly increase your expenses.

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. Ideally, you want to make sure your number is reasonable based on the role and your capabilities. That’s all important when dealing with salary expectations questions. 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.

Are you looking for some great example answers for salary expectations questions? Here are three sample responses that you can use frameworks when you create your own. 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. Check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics for more helpful salary data.

At times, the “What are your salary expectations” question also lets the hiring manager gauge your attitude. Depending on how you respond, they’ll learn a lot about your mindset. Also, it’s important to remember that this article is focused on how to answer the salary expectation interview question (usually asked at the beginning of the hiring process).

In your answer, “it’s usually worth pointing out that the salary is only one component of what you’re looking for, and that you are considering salary as part of an overall opportunity,” Fink says. You might also want to reiterate what you bring to the table for a prospective employer when formulating your answer to support the range that you’re giving, Crawford says. The company is getting something for their investment—a great employee. For example, you might decide tuition assistance or the ability to bring your dog to work is worth more to you than another $5K a year. On the flip side, major gaps in benefits—like the lack of an employee health insurance plan—might raise your salary requirements drastically.

By being aware of this question, you can learn how to answer the expected salary question in the most proper way that leads you to get hired eventually. Lowballing yourself because you have no experience has negative short-term and long-term earning implications. No experience doesn’t mean the work you’ll perform once trained doesn’t have market value; it just means you’ll require a larger investment and more time to train to get to a productive level. Communicating that you’re looking for an industry-standard salary when you have no experience is perfectly acceptable. Now, let’s break down what not to say when asked about salary expectations. Other people, especially recruiters or human resource managers, may disagree with my advice.