What are your salary expectations?, How to Answer Tricky Interview Questions, Part 8

Here's part 8 of a piece from CareerBuilder that offers advice on how to answer tricky interview questions. Here's today's question and their response:

What are your salary expectations?

This is one of the hardest questions, particularly for those with little experience. The first thing to do before going to your interview is to research the salary range in your field to get an idea of what you should be making. Steer clear of discussing salary specifics before receiving a job offer. Let the interviewer know that you will be open to discussing fair compensation when the time comes. If pressed for a more specific answer, always give a range, rather than a specific number.

This is a tricky one. They want you to give them a (hopefully for them) low number so they can offer you a bit less than this and save themselves a bunch of money. Don't do it. Otherwise, you could end up with a job you would like to have at a salary you don't want (but one you said you'd take). On the opposite end, you can also price yourself out of a job. If the high end of the position is $40,000 and you say you want to be paid $75,000, you're not going to be hired.

So here's what I recommend: don't go to any interview without knowing what the salary range for the position is. It's that simple. If you found the position through a headhunter, you can ask him the salary range with no awkwardness at all. If you're dealing with the company directly, you need to be a bit more cautious, but you can easily confirm the pay RANGE (maybe not the exact salary) rather easily.

Then, once you know the range, I suggest you answer the question with something like the following:

My current base salary is $XX,XXX with a XX% bonus, and stock options.  This is one reason I’m looking for a change – my compensation is too low based on my experience and fair market value.  My expectation for my next job will be fair pay for my skills, experience, and the responsibilities I’ve been given – with an upside for exceptional performance.

So, what do you think? Any recommended changes?

Click here to read part 9 of this series.

Click here to read part 1 of this series.

Comments

[D]

As an employer I would respect you for your honesty, but the tone is solid. This would lead me to believe you will not bend at all, even for other perks or negotiations that would eventually leave you above your mark.

Because of this I would probably move to the next application. Unles your oral presentation was better than the written.

[Dave]

My recommendation would be to *not* share current salary, only expected salary. One of the most common ways companies have of determining how much to offer is to take your current salary and add 3% (or whatever). This is ridiculous. As soon as you tell them what you're making now, you've lost the game. Frankly, it's notb.

[Barry]

One thing to be aware of with headhunters -- typically if you tell *them* your salary, they give this info to the hiring company, but they will typically not let you know they've done this. The headhunter's goal is to get the company to give you an offer high enough that you'll take it, but no higher, lest they risk you not getting an offer, and them not getting their commission.

[Rob]

I would immeditely turn the tables and ask what the salary range is for the position. Make their high end your low end as a reply.

[David]

Isn't it a shame we even have to play this game?

A company is willing to pay $X for a job - they should state that right up front OR provide a range if there are variables. Period.

[Sara]

Hi, I don't know if anyone can help me. I'm applying for a temporary position (maternity cover)of Inventory Assistant at the Household of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. In the advert they ask only a covering letter and cv, and to say my salary expectation. I have a good background, but not a huge experience in this specific context (I mean I worked for museums and historic house, gaining experience also in the documentation field). I have a rough idea of how much a typical wage is for these kind of roles, but I really don't know how to express this on my covering letter.
Please, I need some help!!

[FMF]

Sara --

Since they ask for it, I would state it outright in a simple sentence. Is that what you're looking for? Or maybe you need the exact words?