How to answer “What are your salary expectations?”
It’s the most dreaded question in any job interview: What are your salary expectations?
Unfortunately, before accepting a job offer, it can't be avoided, especially when online application systems make answering the question a requirement.
But keep in mind that the expected salary question is one you can prepare for. And by doing so, you'll come across as flexible and knowledgeable. Follow these five tips the next time you’re asked "What are your salary expectations?"
1. Do your research
To answer the crucial question, you need to know how valuable your skills are in today’s market. So take a look at the job market to see how it's performing, how saturated it is and where there’s demand.
If your area of focus is inundated with similar professionals, you may want to skew your salary expectations lower. Your assessment should also consider where a company is located, how many employees it has, and whether it is privately or publicly owned.
The ultimate goal of all this preparation, of course, is to find a job you enjoy that also pays a competitive salary. The last thing you want to do is spend several hours getting ready to make a good first impression only to be caught off guard by a salary-related question when you’re not expecting it.
2. Be confident
If the question “What are your salary expectations?” pops up in a face-to-face interview, don’t be evasive. It’s always better to put off a salary discussion until you’re well into the interview, after you’ve had the opportunity to explain what you can bring to the table and learn a little more about what’s expected of the job you’re interviewing for.
But if the interviewer insists, then give the salary range you’re comfortable with, based on what you discovered during your research.
3. Look at the bigger picture
When you work for a company, you’re not just receiving a salary. You’re also getting a full compensation package that includes vacation days and other benefits. If the salary is lower than you had hoped, you can ask for more benefits, from vacation time to flexible working arrangements to permission to occasionally work from home.
Once you’ve learned the possibilities — and if the company is the right cultural fit for you personally — then you can decide whether these extras make up for getting less money.
4. Make sure you're ok with the low end of your salary range
Whether the expected salary question appears in an in-person interview or an online application, it often asks you to provide a range. Before you answer, consider whether you'll be happy — or able to live on — the low end.
The chances are pretty good that the hiring manager will take you up on your lowest number. Don’t live to regret your answer.
5. Know when to walk
If your answer to “What are your salary expectations?” causes your interviewer’s eyes to widen, maybe it’s not the right job for you. You should know from your research, based on market trends and demand for your skills as well as the experience you bring to the table, what you should be getting paid.
When a company isn't willing or able to compensate you adequately, it’s probably not one where you’ll be happy in the long run.
“What are your salary expectations” can be tricky questionIf you go too high, you can take yourself out of the running. If the interviewer continues to push, don’t panic. This is where your research comes in handy. Cite a range so you don’t lock yourself into a concrete figure.
You want to leave some flexibility to negotiate if the employer’s offer is below your expectations. If you go too low, you may end up with a less-than-appealing offer.
Feeling good about your compensation package is as essential to your overall career satisfaction as starting each day with a desire to do the best job possible. And once the initial thrill of the new job has worn off, it’s hard to have one without the other.
By preparing for this question ahead of time, you just might land the job of your dreams, with a salary to match.
The article originally appeared as How to Answer 'What's Your Expected Salary?' on the Accountemps blog.
Unfortunately, before accepting a job offer, it can't be avoided, especially when online application systems make answering the question a requirement.
But keep in mind that the expected salary question is one you can prepare for. And by doing so, you'll come across as flexible and knowledgeable. Follow these five tips the next time you’re asked "What are your salary expectations?"
1. Do your research
To answer the crucial question, you need to know how valuable your skills are in today’s market. So take a look at the job market to see how it's performing, how saturated it is and where there’s demand.
If your area of focus is inundated with similar professionals, you may want to skew your salary expectations lower. Your assessment should also consider where a company is located, how many employees it has, and whether it is privately or publicly owned.
The ultimate goal of all this preparation, of course, is to find a job you enjoy that also pays a competitive salary. The last thing you want to do is spend several hours getting ready to make a good first impression only to be caught off guard by a salary-related question when you’re not expecting it.
2. Be confident
If the question “What are your salary expectations?” pops up in a face-to-face interview, don’t be evasive. It’s always better to put off a salary discussion until you’re well into the interview, after you’ve had the opportunity to explain what you can bring to the table and learn a little more about what’s expected of the job you’re interviewing for.
But if the interviewer insists, then give the salary range you’re comfortable with, based on what you discovered during your research.
3. Look at the bigger picture
When you work for a company, you’re not just receiving a salary. You’re also getting a full compensation package that includes vacation days and other benefits. If the salary is lower than you had hoped, you can ask for more benefits, from vacation time to flexible working arrangements to permission to occasionally work from home.
Once you’ve learned the possibilities — and if the company is the right cultural fit for you personally — then you can decide whether these extras make up for getting less money.
4. Make sure you're ok with the low end of your salary range
Whether the expected salary question appears in an in-person interview or an online application, it often asks you to provide a range. Before you answer, consider whether you'll be happy — or able to live on — the low end.
The chances are pretty good that the hiring manager will take you up on your lowest number. Don’t live to regret your answer.
5. Know when to walk
If your answer to “What are your salary expectations?” causes your interviewer’s eyes to widen, maybe it’s not the right job for you. You should know from your research, based on market trends and demand for your skills as well as the experience you bring to the table, what you should be getting paid.
When a company isn't willing or able to compensate you adequately, it’s probably not one where you’ll be happy in the long run.
“What are your salary expectations” can be tricky questionIf you go too high, you can take yourself out of the running. If the interviewer continues to push, don’t panic. This is where your research comes in handy. Cite a range so you don’t lock yourself into a concrete figure.
You want to leave some flexibility to negotiate if the employer’s offer is below your expectations. If you go too low, you may end up with a less-than-appealing offer.
Feeling good about your compensation package is as essential to your overall career satisfaction as starting each day with a desire to do the best job possible. And once the initial thrill of the new job has worn off, it’s hard to have one without the other.
By preparing for this question ahead of time, you just might land the job of your dreams, with a salary to match.
The article originally appeared as How to Answer 'What's Your Expected Salary?' on the Accountemps blog.
Strategies for defeating cyber-risk
- Recent trends in IT security are seeing both businesses and cyber-criminals becoming more advanced.
- One major internal threat is when organisations have a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy that allows their employees to use their own devices at work.
- In response, businesses must design data security strategies which consider the probability of future threats, instead of focusing on current operations.
- Because cybercrime trends are often similar across the same industry, sharing information can allow a more effective response.
Key elements of an effective IT security program checklist
- Ensure effective governance is in place, which is aligned with the entire organisation and is reviewed and updated for best practices.
- Take a risk-based approach to cover the enterprise's operations and supply chain security, rather than simply relying on the vendor's word.
- Endorse the support of senior management to ensure the company's security best practices are followed consistently.
- Create employee awareness of potential security threats through regular training.
Building a better workforce, one job at a time
Workplace happiness is really all about the right fit: finding a job with just the right balance of challenge and reward, and building a team of employees who are engaged and productive. Watch our video below to see for yourself. At Equal Oceaina, we have worked tirelessly to help companies build happier, and more productive teams. From our years of experience, we can consistently conclude that employee engagement and organisational success are closely connected.