Salary

Question

Hello! How do you answer “what is your salary expectation” during a phone interview? It’s always so awkward. Thanks in advance

Sweet Caroline · Answer

I have gotten to the point where I just say “Are you able to share the salary range for this role”.  Let’s not waste anyone’s time, I have a range in mind and the company has a budget.  The whole cloak and dagger way we approach salary is ridiculous, these are jobs not dates, your doing it to get paid.  In my state, MA, it is illegal for them to ask your current salary and I refuse to give.  If pushed I offer that my total compensation package is more than a salary, I have generous benefits including  well subsidized healthcare, ample time off and other soft benefits.  I don’t give a range.

Rebeca Evantash · Answer

I've often asked what is the range? Usually from research I have somewhat of an idea, but it never hurts to ask.

Corina · Answer

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Barb Hansen · Answer

I say this:

My experience and value that I will bring to your company puts me in the $XXX to $XXX range inclusive of salary, stocks, bonuses and benefits.  If my salary needs meet the pay scale for this position, let's keep talking.

FYI - I already know the salary range for a position I'm applying for and most of the time, my range is within that range. If you don't know the salary range for a job you are applying for, then do your research first (as mentioned above)

And remember, the person asking you that question is not embarrassed to ask you that question, it's just another data point for them. Do not be embarrassed, although your salary range is super important to you, it's just another data point for the company that is hiring you.

Gwyn Gaubatz · Answer

As a couple people has mentioned, it's critical to do your homework first - both re: expectations for the salary bands within the company you are interviewing for, and what YOU are worth based on your experience, skills, etc. - in addition to Glassdoor and LinkedIn, I've found Payscale a useful resource for understanding what comp bands I could expect at different stages in my career.   It's also been incredibly useful to talk to people in my network - if you have connections you are comfortable asking, they may be able to share what they were offered when they started similar roles and/or what they are currently earning.  It can be very uncomfortable discussing your salary socially, but if you have people close to you in your network, it may well be that they are invested in seeing you succeed, and willing to share.

Regarding the awkwardness of the interaction itself, I don't think it needs to be. I totally understand the tension between not wanting to undercut your own earning potential by stating a number that is too low, or exclude yourself from consideration by quoting too high, which is why research is key. If you feel well-informed about fair compensation, and confident in what you want, it shouldn't be awkward to state that clearly. If you don't want to pin yourself to a single number, you can also state a salary band - whatever your minimal acceptable comp is on the low end (and it should be something you WOULD be happy to accept!) and your aspirational comp at the high end. And if you want to signal flexibility, it's very easy to discuss, as mentioned above, that salary is not the only aspect of an offer you will be considering; you can throw out that bonus/equity/benefits/how the role fits into your personal passions and career goals will also be material to your assessment of any offer you may receive.

Irina · Answer

If you want to feelgood about an eventual offer you can just say what you expect. Every time you say less you regret it and if you say more you feel too small for those shoes. They need to know anyway. Maybe there are more elegant ways to put it, but the message needs to go across. 
You can always put it in the context of your skills, experience and the value you will be bringing to the position so they understand it is not something you wish for it, it is value you are giving them and they need to compensate you for.

Mindy Claggett · Answer

If you can get them to identify their hiring range, that helps a great deal. It's irritating that companies won't even give up a range, when you KNOW they have a budget in mind. It's obvious when a company is trying to hire talent as cheaply as possible.

You can do all the research you want, but every company has different pay rates, even for the same job titles. When I was looking for work at the end of last year, I found a huge discrepancy in what some companies would pay for similar roles. I also discovered that our local job market, as a whole, was paying significantly  less than when I previously had been job hunting only 5 years ago. It's quite frustrating, but if you need a job, you deal with it.

Cara Meiselman · Answer

I try to be as honest as possible and give real concrete numbers. I'm sure you've done your research for what roles at this level should be compensated at and you likely have real minimums to maintain your standard of living. While I don't love the idea of adding a qualifier or talking yourself down, I will sometimes say 'however, I don't want salary to be a roadblock in moving forward as I am very interested in the role' so that way they know you are willing to negotiate.

Lauren Rios · Answer

Someone mentioned to me to ask what the have budgeted for the role -- then maybe work around those numbers.

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