What are your salary expectations? I’m sure anyone who has done a job interview is familiar with this tricky question. If you haven’t, chances are you will face it very soon.
This question is asked by the employer to eliminate anyone who may potentially be out of the salary range they are prepared to offer. Knowing how to answer it can bring you massive benefits. But if you don’t, it can disadvantage you massively.
So how can you answer this question without hurting your chances of a job and a good salary?
Here are 6 Ways to Deal With This Question Effectively
1. Do a salary research
If you are considering to look for a job, I suggest you do market research and check out the salary range of the position you want, before applying for it. The internet provides multiple sources of information that can help your research.
Start with the salary comparison websites in your region. And ensure the information you gather is true and specific to your region or local area.
Look at other sources and determine an average figure that you can reasonably expect. You don’t want to rely on one source which can hurt your chances of getting a job offer or a good salary. As it may not be in line with what the market is paying.
The hiring process normally starts with the Recruiter, and then Human resources before you meet the Hiring manager. It is important you are prepared because recruiters will require certain information from candidates very early in the hiring process.
Also read: Essential Tips Every First-Time New Manager Needs To Know
2. Hold on to your answer
If you are asked what are your salary expectations? First, remember that this question is intended to find out whether you fall outside their salary range.
Don’t give a figure straight away. Instead of bouncing the question back to the person by asking; what is the salary on offer for this position?
Even if you are put under immense pressure to give an answer. Just resist, hold your ground and say something like I am not motivated by money. And that the priority at this stage is to be given an opportunity to prove my worth in your company.
You can add that I’m confident your salary offer will be within what the industry is paying.
Avoid giving out any information which could jeopardise your chances of getting a job offer. So keep resisting as much as you can.
3. When you couldn’t resist
If you find yourself in a situation where you couldn’t resist, then you will have to give out an answer. At this stage, you know the salary range from your research – the lower end number and the higher end number.
Your lower end is the minimum number you are willing to take in case they don’t offer you the high-end number. Ensure that the difference between the lower and high-end number is very small.
So when you are forced to give an answer, just say around this number – which is the high-end number. Remember the same question will be asked again as you go through the interview process.
4. Dealing with the Hiring manager
If all goes well, the last person you are going to meet is the Hiring manager. He or she is going to be your direct line manager.
So, it is important when you meet the Hiring Manager to be confident and polite. In case the Hiring manager asks about your salary expectations, don’t panic and become afraid of giving a figure.
But before you disclose your salary expectations, say to the Hiring manager that you were unsure about the salary package for this role. So, you have done some industry research before coming here for the interview.
And you have learned that people of the same experience in the industry are paid around this number. Make sure that you only give a number. That high-end number – which is your ideal number.
5. Pushing back
If the Hiring manager tells the amount that is lower than your ideal number and asks if it is okay for you – just respond politely that I would be happy to be offered a salary that seems like the industry standards.
You are not being greedy. That is what the industry standard based on your research.
Remember, whatever is offered to you never accept the very first time it comes up. You can always ask for time to think it over even if you want the job very badly.
6. Avoid this mistake
People make a very big mistake when they give a salary range instead of one firm number. Always the Hiring manager will make every effort to hire you at the lowest possible amount you will accept.
So, your mistake makes it easier for the Hiring Manager to outmanoeuvre you and offer a lower-end number than what is really available for the position.
It is your job to ensure that you get the very highest amount the employer is prepared to pay. And that means you have to ask for an amount at the top of the salary range in the Hiring managers mind.
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