What Are Your Salary Expectations?

When you are off to interview and answering smoothly to the questions related to the field then suddenly the interviewer asks for the question that what your salary expectations are. The question is sometimes very confusing and one may not answer appropriately. Thus, it sometimes becomes the reason for failure or one may get less salary. It is an uncomfortable interviewer question. It is recommended that one must be prepared for the right answer. 

The reason for answering in the right way is to get the salary that you really expect. Otherwise, two situations may occur. If you say some high number then it may have to leave the job opportunity as a company not willing to pay that handsome amount or by answering too low also be troublesome as you may get the job but the low salary may not meet your financial demand. Therefore, be careful and first prepare for the right answer so you can answer confidently when interviewers ask the question suddenly in the middle of the interview.

Now the question arises what methodology to apply to give the right answer? And what strategy one must adopt to get the expected salary after giving the right answer? If your interviewer asks an unexpected question from you then you should not be panic rather answer confidently. But how? Here is the complete guideline to get yourself prepared for this question and then amaze the interviewer and get the job with the salary that you deserve.

Why it is tricky to answer the salary expectation question?

Sometimes a question arises in mind the  big deal about the salary or money-related question. But it is quite tricky and often stumps the candidates who want badly that job. Even it not only confuses the candidate but also changes the environment of the interview room. Moreover, the few digit difference in thinking may cause the red hotenvironment to ice cold. Thus, may create a negative impression and the candidate may have to lose the opportunity or get a job at a very low salary.

Why Answer in the right way?

Now you may also be thinking why the interviewers ask this question? The main reason is that HR wants to know either they can afford the candidate or not. Either they should invest further time or resources in you or not? Or they have to call another candidate to whom they can give a salary that the company has listed in the budget.

Thus, the question is placed between interviews. Now how the different candidates respond to this question. Some candidates are bargain hunters means despite saying a general market value they say a low or high salary. 

The companies ask this question when they set certain positions other than the regular seats. For these, they have to pay a salary that can be low or high as compared to the regular salary they are paying to employees.

Moreover, they also want to check the value of the candidate and his work value. The question is asked to know candidate’s confidence to describe about the expected salary according to his experience and talent.

When do interviewers ask this question?

The interviewer asks the question in two ways.  What are you looking to make from this job or how much you are making now? Each question has its own answer demand and comes with multiple challenges. The interviewer can ask the question at the start of the screening process or maybe somewhere in between the question/answer session. The interviewer can ask after checking the behavioral, background, or skill question when he assumes that you can work with the company.

This is the plus point for the candidate when the interviewer asks between the sessions as it gives him hope and he gets confidence. Therefore it is essential to be prepared for such a question so you can give the appropriate answer and get the appointment. In contrast or the other side of the coin if you will not be prepared and get this question unexpectedly then you may get an unexpected reply. So it must be your mission to prepare it carefully and have proper plans to answer the question before you go to the interview.

Making a proper plan plays a significant role in helping a candidate to get the desired job. If you want to achieve your goals then do the proper homework. Do search and find the answer to convince and inspire with your salary expectation answer. If you make a proper strategy of answering and just like other answers you will able to convince the interviewer then there are 100% chances you will get the job in a relevant position with expected salary. 

What problems you may face with this question?

The question seems very simple but no it is not rather it may be problematic for those especially if asked at the start of the interview. Candidates may get confused and unable to focus on the right answer. Moreover, they get confused and fail to proceed with further interview steps.

What problems may face while answering the salary expectation question?

Although the questions are simple and innocent yet when the candidate starts answering he sometimes does some blunder that may create silence among the jury members. When the employers ask for the question the candidate may face problems like

First Problem

The candidate may think it’s too early to answer this question. You may think you have better leverage to negotiate with the employers so you may avoid about saying the number too early. Thus, it creates a problem for both the candidate and employer.

Second Problem

The second problem that may arise is the temptation to sell yourself short to move further in the interview process. Some businesses jump at the lowest offer they have a number of options of candidates. They can offer a lower salary to the candidate who demands more from them. If candidates demand a lower salary they respond positively and continue the process. In such a situation, the candidate gets confused a sometimes regret less demand for a salary. Moreover, it convinces them in thinking that the candidate has done the cheapest possible deal. Or he wants to work for the company that’s after the qualified candidate but offering fewer amounts. Thus, this problem causes issues in the future for the candidate as he is always in confusion that why he joined the company with less salary.

Third problem

The third problem arises when the candidate demands a very high price and the company was not expecting that. In such a case jury members may immediately say sorry as they can’t afford that employee even he is skillful and talented enough to help in achieving future goals. This demand removes from running of the position.

Fourth Problem

The last but not least problem that may occurs on that time when a candidate demands a too low salary. This happens when a candidate is hopeless and getting no response from other companies and he just wants to start the job to have something in his hand. But this low salary demand seems inappropriate for the employers as they feel that to allow the salary of the candidate will not make him satisfied and he may not be happy during work. They don’t understand the intention of the candidate and refuse the job.

These are a few problems that may arise on the wrong salary demand. Therefore, it is essential to do some homework. For this purpose, the candidate has to work and do research.

Research methodology to answer the question appropriately

The first important step to consider for doing homework to answer in the right way is to know the market value of each position. You have to search for the going rate for the jobs in your market. You can search for the rates from different sources. Ask any employee working in the company you are going to apply to, discuss with senior colleagues. If you are new and going for your first interview then ask about job salaries to your professor. Moreover, if no one is around you and you have to do research by yourself then you can take help from various websites. The glassdoor.com, salary.com, payscale.com are the few platforms from where you get information about the job description and salary system.

What to search for pay range?

Now you may be thinking about what information you will get there. Few things you will come to know by searching such site include market salary range for the particular position. Some companies pay very high while other is moderate payers.

The pay rate depends on the size of the company, its location, and your experience, maybe you get some conflicting information because of company location and value in the market.

How to search?

Basically, your aim must to search for a reasonable ongoing salary range. It will help you guessing your market value. In this way, if employers will ask you the question you can answer confidently and say an average number that is going in the market. Moreover, if he asks the second question of why you expect this number then you can answer about eth ongoing market value for the experienced person like you. So this will improve your chance to get an expected salary because you have confidently described the number based on position and real data.

Moreover, you can study the best case scenarios related to salaries. In this way, you can demand for a salary suitable for your position and help you to proceed for the next step in your favorite company for which you ever dreamt for.

What to do if you get confused

In case, if you are still confused, even you have worked a lot then you should use some tactics to answer suitably. According to experts, one must put off answering the salary questions as long a possible. You may be thinking how? You can delay answering for the salary expectation question in the following way.

When the employer asks for the question you can delay by saying that you are interested in finding the position that is according to my experience and skills as well as interest. You hope and confident that the company will offer a salary that’s competitive according to ongoing market value. In this way you will let them know about your confidence, abilities, and skills you have, thus, you will ensure about respect for yourself.

Moreover, you will give an employer opportunity to earn your respect by getting a fair offer from the company. Furthermore, the jury members will immediately know that you are not desperate to get this job rather expect to get compensation according to your talent, skill, and time.

To get the expected salary you have to play hardball on the salary issues. If you give a different answer instead of saying some number will let the company know that you are a tough negotiator and savvy if they will hire you. Thus, it is the best opportunity to get the best salary offer from the company.

Still, if some interviewer will ask for another number then you have to say something exceptional like you have research on job salaries and you expect that for your experience you should get 75 to 90k according to role and requirement. By saying some average number will let the employer know that you know your value as well as work demand. This will state that it is your understanding of the ongoing market competition and this is what you expect from the company.

The third question that the interviewer may ask after seeing that you are confident and still not saying a particular number, they may ask what you are earning now. To answer this question, you have to say a number according to the search. If you are a beginner and it’s your first job then say a number your friends are earning. Make some reasonable sentence like it’s your first experience but the market value says the salary must be 50k or something like that. Say a number that you have searched and say that this number is what you expect from the company. If you are already working and applying for a new job then it is good to say 15% higher than your current salary. Don’t say less number it will give the impression that you are leaving the previous company because of less pay.

Although the companies may not ask this question directly the reason for this is that candidates may get overpaid or underpaid for the current role. While others are changing their company or want to avail the attractive offer. 

Thus, to avoid any situation it is good to say the moderate number because demanding too much high may cause the interviewer to feel that the company cant afford you while too low also create a negative impact. Thus to expect a good response from the company try to avoid saying the number and use some tactics to express your interest in a good salary. 

Moreover, the employer asks for the expectation for the incentives other than salary like bonus/commission incentives, flexible working options, extra time pay, 

The jury after completing the interview says you some number and asks if you agree for the particular salary or not. In such a situation the candidate can negotiate especially if you think the interviewer is in the mood to listen to your request. In this way, you say him directly about negotiation for pay or use some strategy. Yes, you have to follow few tips to negotiate for pay to get the salary you really deserve.

Tips on negotiating for the salary include

The way of your response matters a lot. Don’t be spontaneous. When you hear about the pay, wait for a second, and then use the following guidelines to start the negotiation process.

Be positive even if the offer is quite less according to your expectations. You have to show gratitude for the offer and your potential as well as enthusiasm to work for the company. You have to say thank you nicely and then move towards the negotiation mode.

Now by using reasonable words express your request and say that you were expecting something more. You can ask that you have experience and the market value according to your role is that particular amount. Be humble in saying every word so the interviewer shows interest in your request. You can say the counteroffer by providing alary range and some examples to create a positive impression on the employer.

The third most important step is to describe your long-term goals and help them to know what you can do. Try to inspire by your talent and projects you have done in pats and wait for an answer. Don’t be desperate, wait for an answer, if the interviewer shows a positive response then move to the next step otherwise don’t take the opportunity as it will decrease your market value.

 Finally, keep in mind that some companies only offer limited salaries but give compensation through bonuses. If the interviewer briefs you about the awards and bonuses like performance, sighting, future pay, additional vacation, company stock, heath benefit or flexible work hour bonus, or another type of bonus then you can step forward. Otherwise, say thank you and look for some other opportunities.

Strategies for answering the question

Although we have discussed a variety of strategies you can use to convince the interviewer and keep on track yet following three main tips will help you a lot.

Describe Salary Ranges

If you have prepared for the interview and especially for this question then it will be helpful s you know the salary range. When the interviewer asks for a question, you can discuss the average salary package instead of saying a particular number. This will help to know the employer that you know the market value of the particular position. Thus, the interviewer can ask for your demand according to the average number you have described. So, you can say according to your experience, skills, and time this will help you to get the better option and salary that you want for the job.

Flip the Question

Another important strategy that you can apply is the flip the question if the interviewer asks you about what your salary expectation you should not answer directly you should ask that well you deserve what the company pays according to the role and what is your requirement and what you pay according to role and responsibilities of the employee. This will give a positive response and give a good initiative to proceed to the next step of the appointment.

Delay Your Answer

You can delay the response by saying that your job value is something high or according to your job skills. Don’t answer directly rather start defining your talent, project details or something likes that. Make sure you should be on track and positively delay the answer to avoid providing any negative impression.

Few things to remember

Don’t be confused when the interviewer asks this question. 

Don’t respond immediately rather take a moment and think before you speak

Be positive and the answer is suitable words

Don’t immediately say the number rather say the average pay range

If you stay humble and think before you answer then definitely you will able to say the right answers. Perhaps, your answer will be inspiring thus create a good impression and most probably you will get the job with the salary you expect from the company.

Final Verdict

During an interview getting the question about the salary expectation may become sometimes confusing. You are unable to answer appropriately. Therefore, to give a positive impression is prepared. It is important to do a search for this question as it will help in providing a positive impression and you will get a good reply. Most probably you will get the job with the salary you want to get from your favourite company.