How do you handle the "what's your salary expectation" question during interviews?

8 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 6,2021 at 1:51PM UTC

   You never offer a definitive number. You do your research and offer a range based on the industry, market value and your skills and experience.

2. AnonymousOctober 6,2021 at 2:09PM UTC

   I try to ask them what their range is. If they tell me, I let them know if that works for me or not. If they press, I give a huge range.

3. Lisa Taj McCellonOctober 6,2021 at 2:32PM UTC

   Glassdoor tends to offer decent salary range estimates. If you can't find them here, use those, modified as you need for your own area. The US Department of Labor also has detailed salary info that often includes regional comparisons. Be prepared to name a range based on ones of these sources and modified to ensure your actual minimum comfortable budget is covered.

4. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterOctober 6,2021 at 2:40PM UTC

   As a salary negotiation coach, my answer to this question depends on when it is asked. If it is early in the process, it's too soon for 1) you to fully know what the job entails, and 2) them to know what you bring to the table (whether you're worth it). My formula in this situation is: Deflect - Deflect - Deflect - Be Vague. In other words, keep trying to return to a discussion of your qualifications and their requirements.

   If it is later in the process, here's where your research comes into play. If you are forced to throw out the first pitch, what does the research tell you about market value in that geographic location for the work - and where do you believe you should fall within that range based on your experience, education, and other factors (such as certifications)? You always want this discussion to center around the facts and your qualifications, rather than what you, personally, need or want.

   Here's an episode of The Exclusive Career Coach podcast where I talk about the three numbers you need to know going into a salary negotiation:

   https://www.exclusivecareercoaching.com/posts/2020-10-14-149-salary-negotiations-3-important-numbers/

   Hope this helps!

5. LaurenOctober 6,2021 at 3:43PM UTC

   Generally, as you mentioned, the company has a set budget for the role. If they are unwilling to share that range, I'd take that as a red flag and move on to another company. In Colorado the comp range must be disclosed in the job description and more states will be doing that.

6. AnonymousOctober 7,2021 at 2:16PM UTC

   I recently saw a great tweet:
   If the salary is so competitive, why won't you share it with me?
   So true. SO ANNOYING.

7. Lorna Rose, J.D., M.S.October 6,2021 at 4:18PM UTC

   I handle it by relying on this mindset: I'm here to make a living. They're here to make a profit. If I can't make a living here, then I can't afford to help them make a profit.

   There's no reason to play mind games over salary during the hiring process anymore. Know your hard minimum: what do you absolutely HAVE to make in order to keep all bills paid, the gas tank full, the lights on, the fridge stocked? Add 20-30% to that for incidental/discretionary spending. This is the bottom range for your salary expectation.

   I agree with others that you should do a little research on salary data for the position, industry, region, etc. so you can set your salary expectations according to the average, with the hard minimum you calculated above as the lowest possible amount you'll accept (but don't lowball yourself - if your hard minimum is lower than the salary average, ask first for the salary average!)

   "My salary expectation for this role is within the range of $XX - $XX." Short, sweet, to the point. If it's not consistent with what they're offering, you can say something like that "I am open to negotiate the compensation package, however I cannot accept a position for any less than $MyHardMinimum. Is this amount consistent with the budget for this position?"

8. Coach Nancie Kay ShumanOctober 7,2021 at 12:13AM UTC

   I m not a good example. When people ask me, what kind of salary are you looking for? I answer, well, I think I am worth $2,000,000 a year, plus perks. *dead beat* I then say, according to the latest research, comparable positions pay about X. Is that within your range?

   Yes, this has worked. But I am also known for being a bit. . .quirky.