What do you do if you're asked about your salary expectations in an interview?

I had an employer once approach me after being hired, asking me to take on more of a leadership role at my business location. This employer was wanting me to essentially become the site manager instead of their hired manager. There was no offer for additional pay, decrease of other day-to-day responsibilities, or improved benefits to compensate for this. I would suggest countering the question about salary expectation, by asking them to clarify job expectations and responsibilities. Is my job responsibility clearly defined, or are there vague statements implying unstated duties? What happens if I am asked to take on additional responsibilities beyond what is clearly listed? Will my salary be adjusted for the increased workload?

When asked about compensation expectations during an interview, undertake market research to establish a competitive range for the position. Consider your experience, abilities, and credentials. Provide a compensation range, emphasising flexibility and willingness to negotiate. Express your excitement for the role and highlight the value you can offer to the organisation. If you're unsure, ask about the wage range that the employer has in mind. You may successfully navigate the debate and exhibit your value if you tackle the matter with preparedness and professionalism.

It's important to go into the interview already being familiar with the general range for the role, and then be prepared to discuss the value you bring to the table that warrants being on the higher end of that range. If a hiring manager will default to the lowest option but is authorized to reach the highest, then your "expectations" should be communicated as a CONCLUSION, based on research, evidence, value adds, and confidence in your abilities.

You can say “I’d love to understand more about the role, responsibilities, and growth opportunities before discussing compensation. Could you share the budgeted range for this position?”

1. Before the interview research what's the salary range for a similar position & industry. 2. Provide a range and not a specific number. Lowest range to be more than/equal to your current salary, unless there is a potential for salary increase in the short term. 3. Consider the overall picture and conditions, not just the salary. Factors like flexibility to work from home, travel time to the office, opportunities for growth etc are also very important factors.

Tell them you want to be compensated based on your performance, not your title—then stay silent. When they respond with XXX, ask, "Is that what the top performer gets paid?"

Don’t say: “I’m flexible, whatever works.” Do say: “I value this opportunity and want to ensure the compensation reflects my experience and market standards.” :)

Salary is just one part of the equation. You can ask about: ✔ Performance bonuses ✔ Stock options/equity ✔ Benefits & perks ✔ Learning & development opportunities

If asked about salary, I’d say something like, "Based on my research and experience, I’d expect something in the range of $X to $Y, but I’m open to discussing the full compensation package." I’d use websites like Glassdoor to check salary ranges for my role and location, plus company reviews. I’m mindful of the company’s budget, but I wouldn’t undervalue what I bring to the table. It took me years to learn how to handle this, as it can be a sensitive topic, but once you get the balance right, it’s much easier to navigate.

In my options, three key elements to discussing salary expectations. 1. Research the salary range of the role you applied for, at national level (don't compare with other countries). For example, if you ask for a managerial salary for an entry level position, it's highly unlikely to be offered to you. 2. Know your worth! The amount of times myself and probably million others asked for less money and been taken advantage of, because I didn't believe I could ask for more money! Always ask, within reason the salary you know you deserve based on all the skills and knowledge you bring to the table. 3. Negotiate. Negotiation skills are essential, especially when you negotiate your salary!

When asked about salary expectations, I take a thoughtful and strategic approach. Rather than providing a specific number, I express my enthusiasm for the role and the company, highlighting my research on the market rate for similar positions. I then emphasize my flexibility and openness to discussing compensation, focusing on finding a mutually agreeable solution that reflects the value I can bring to the organization.

In my experience, whenever I have been asked about my salary requirements, I always say that's a great question, but before we get down to the numbers, let me tell you why I am an excellent fit for your organization and why your organization is an excellent fit for me. I do this by highlighting my skillset for the top five job requirements and how the organization fits me based on the culture, the support the manager offers the employees for career advancement, and the work-life balance; I say my salary is negotiable. We can find a happy median for all parties involved, and then I will state my salary expectations based on the market analysis I have done before my interview. This approach has typically had good results thus far.