How to Answer The Interview Question, “What Are Your Salary Expectations”

Salary negotiation is one of the most crucial yet difficult topics to tackle in an interview. When asked about their salary expectations, the candidate’s answers carry such weight that they can easily determine the result of the interview. In this article, you will find out the best tips for answering interview questions about salary expectations.

Whether the questions about your salary expectations come up in the initial screening or in the face-to-face interview, the interviewer usually uses them to evaluate the following:

❗️ Budget Evaluation

The main reason why hiring managers ask salary expectation questions is to evaluate whether the company’s budget for the role is in line with the service that you would provide and if that budget needs further adjustment.

❗️ Self-Assessment 

Candidates’ assessment of their professionalism reflects greatly their experiences and understanding of the industry standard, which are important factors hiring managers often take into consideration when they ask candidates salary expectation questions.

❗️ Seniority Check ­

A candidate’s salary expectation serves as an indicator of their seniority. A compensation expectation that is too low, might suggest that your experience is under the required standard, while an expectation that is too high suggests otherwise.

The most obvious factor is the fact that the candidate’s answer will directly affect either their compensation or their chance of moving on to the next stage of the interview. If the expectation is too low, your financial needs might not be met, while a pricey expectation might cost you potential employment. Therefore, strategies are necessary to tackle these questions.

1. Research the Role and the Market

Before the submission of your application, make sure to research the average salary of the position and the skills that the position entails. Using these references, you will be able to find reasonable compensation expectations.

2. Calculate Your Expenses 

After studying the market standard, it is time to put yourself in the calculation of your salary expectation. Factors, such as relocation costs or other expenses incurred in the acceptance of the job, are parameters that you should consider in the calculation of your salary expectation.

3. Determine a Salary Range 

Instead of giving several set numbers of your compensation expectations, set a tight range where your ideal salary sits in the middle. If you expect to receive 70,000 in your compensation, then your range can be around 68,000 to 75,000.

4. Be Open to Other Kinds of Compensation 

Some positions might fail to meet your salary expectations, but it can turn out to be a better deal for you if you consider other compensation details than just the paycheck. Other benefits, like health care and equity options, should be taken into consideration as well.

5. Explain Your Reasoning 

In addition to your expectation range, back up that number with convincing reasons. By delineating how each of your skills and experience translates to your salary expectation, you show that you are well-informed of the responsibilities required and your expectation can seem more justified.

6. Be Honest

The salary expectation questions usually come with other questions that have to do with your experience and even your previous compensations. Always be truthful in answering these questions, as fabricated responses are extremely detrimental to your own professional career.

7. State That You Are Flexible

Let the hiring manager know that you are flexible on your terms, where such flexibility might save you from pricing yourself out from the initial interview.

Candidates might be required to answer the salary expectation question upon the submission of their application. Although candidates can sometimes choose to leave out the answer and delay the discussion to the interview, there are scenarios where it is mandatory to provide such information as it might be part of the standard procedure. 

Therefore, we have included two example answers to help you answer this type of question on your job application. The first answer deflects the question for a later discussion in the interview, while the second salary expectation example answer is more straightforward.

You might also be asked about your compensation expectations in emails by the HR or hiring manager. In this scenario, a straightforward response would be the best strategy to adapt.

The following email is an example answer which candidates can use as a reference when they find themselves in a situation where they need to write an email response to answer the salary expectation questions.

✉️ Salary Expectations Answer (Email Example)

Despite being one of the most common questions asked in an interview, salary expectation questions might be tricky if the candidates come underprepared. To ensure a successful interview, pre-interview research and preparation should always be done specifically for any potential interview. The following three examples should give you some ideas to work with.

🗣️ Salary Expectations Answer 1

🗣️ Salary Expectations Answer 2

🗣️ Salary Expectations Answer 3

--- Originally written by Jim Mao ---