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'What’s Your Expected Salary?’ - 5 Solid Examples of How to Answer This Common Interview Question

When asked about your expected salary during an interview, what should you say? We worry that saying the wrong thing will get the job offer thrown out of the window. Below is a guide of what to say when asked this interview question so you get fairly compensated for your value.

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When asked about your expected salary during an interview, what should you say? We worry that saying the wrong thing will get the job offer thrown out of the window. Below is a guide of what to say when asked this interview question so you get fairly compensated for your value.

Photo credit: master1305

At one or several points in your career, you will talk about salary with an employer. Whether you are negotiating for a salary raise from your current employer or discussing a job offer at a new organization.

When you receive a new job offer, your mind might start racing with all the possibilities the new position will bring and all the ways your life will change. The expected salary interview question will follow soon after and depending on what you say, things may or may not go in your favor.

When the recruiter asks, “What is your expected salary?” you need to be armed with research, facts, and figures so you don’t end up shortchanging yourself. It may be a straightforward interview question but knowing what to say can be challenging. 

You may be afraid to state a number that is too high, so the recruiter does not judge you harshly and you end up pricing yourself out of the role. On the other hand, saying a number that’s too low could also restrict your earning potential in the role. The key is to find a sweet spot that works for both you and the employer. 

The interview question about your salary expectations tends to be tricky because if your target salary amount is too low, this gives the employer room to offer you a lower amount. Of course, if the compensation is not enough for you, there’s a chance you’ll eventually feel miserable about it. 

It is also harder to know how much salary you want to be paid without knowing the scope of the role you’ve been offered. When you’re asked to disclose your salary requirements on job applications, this might put you at a disadvantage especially since you probably haven’t had a chance to learn more about the role. 

Talking about money is potentially stressful for most people. The best way to deal with this is to prepare for the salary-related interview question by doing your research beforehand, having some answers ready, and knowing your minimum “walk-away” figure. 

When researching, look into the average compensation for that role or similar roles based on your level of experience. The salary conversation with a potential employer doesn’t have to be scary but it can be informative and productive. After all, they offered you the job, so you actually have the upper hand here. 

 

So why do employers have to ask this nerve-racking question?

 

  • They want to see if you have the relevant experience level for the role.  Applicants who ask for a much higher amount compared to other candidates might be considered too experienced for the position. On the other hand, if your answer is too low, it could mean you probably don’t have enough experience for the role. 

  • They want to see if you know your value. A good candidate is confident in the value of their skill set in the market. To gauge your market value, you will have to consider your career achievements, years of experience, and your current level career-wise. 

  • They already have a specific budget for the role. Employers also ask this question to determine if your salary expectations are in line with the amount they have set aside for the position. If they see that most candidates are asking for more than they had expected, this might mean asking for a bigger budget for the job. 

Disclosing salary information to an interviewer can be uncomfortable, especially if it is your first time talking about your ideal compensation or you are not used to being asked that question. Here are some tips to help you gauge and communicate your salary expectations.

Be confident: Certain employers will be interested in your delivery as well as your answer. When you are sure of yourself and show confidence, it is an indication that you know your value. It also shows that you are not going to take anything less than what you know you deserve regardless of how flexible you are. You may end up making too little if you sell yourself short just to get the job. As today’s generation so fondly puts it, remember that you are the prize. 

Aim high: After you’ve determined the average salary range for that position, think about having a bit of wiggle room around it. Most of the time employers will offer you the lower end of the range you give. Aiming higher ensures that you still get your target figure even if the employer offers you the lowest number. 

Explain your logic: Even though you don’t have to go into details when explaining how you determined your salary expectations, it can help your case. You can justify your expected salary by highlighting your educational level and experience.

 

Below is a cheat sheet of 5 bulletproof ways to answer when asked about your salary expectation for a role:

1. Give a salary range

Always provide a range you’re comfortable with instead of a baseline figure when asked about salary expectations. This makes it easier for both parties to find a sweet spot that works for everyone and it shows that you are willing to be flexible. When giving a range, make sure the lowest amount falls within your target amount so that in the worst-case scenario you still get what you wanted. Here is an example of a response utilizing this strategy. 

“The average salary for this position in this area for a professional with my level of experience is between amount X and amount Y, so that would be my salary expectation for this role.”

2. Deflect the question

You can use this strategy if you are early in the hiring process and you want to know more about the expectations and responsibilities of the role. However, you will still have to give the employee a figure eventually. So even if you’re still taking in extra information, have a number in mind.  The example below should help you incorporate this tactic when answering the question. 

“Right now, finding the right position for me is more important than salary. I’d love to learn more about the job, the company, and the entire benefits package before we talk about numbers.”

3. Throw in some negotiation options

There might be other valuable perks or benefits in addition to your salary so you can also include them as negotiation options. The employer might be willing to provide these added benefits if their salary budget doesn’t fall within your ideal range. This could help make the entire compensation package more enticing to you. Here’s how you could respond in such a scenario. 

“I was hoping for something more in the X-Y range, but I’m definitely open to negotiating based on the entire compensation package.”

4. Ask about the budget for the role

Every company typically has a set budget for every open position they’re hiring for. Their budget will vary depending on various factors like the company’s success, size, and values. 

You can politely ask about the budget range they have set for the position to gain a better understanding of the situation and adjust your response accordingly. This also tells the recruiter that you are a good interviewer. This response is straightforward and you can tweak it but remember to keep it polite and respectful. 

“That's a great question—it would be helpful if you could share what the budget range is for this role.”

5. State that you’re flexible

This strategy gets the job done without necessarily ruffling any feathers because it will help you emphasize your value for the role. It also indicates that you are willing to discuss a reasonable salary for the position. Again, keep in mind that you will still have to tell the employer a number even if you sing about your flexibility till the cows come home. 

“My salary range is flexible. I would, of course, like to be compensated fairly for my experience and skill-set. However, I'm open to discussing specific numbers once we've discussed the details of the position.”

 

Answering this interview question simply sparks the salary negotiation process so ensure your response is researched, data-backed, and well-formulated so you don’t go over the market value or undercut yourself. Providing an informed and honest answer helps the interviewer understand what kind of salary is good enough to get you on their team.

Written by

Sandra Musonge

Sandra Musonge is a part-time writer at Fuzu with over five years of experience under her belt, helping numerous B2B and B2C clients with their content needs. She writes to inspire and not just to inform. Her educational background in Biochemistry has given her a broad base from which to approach many topics. You can find her enjoying nature or trying out new recipes when she isn't writing.


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