How to Answer “What Are Your Salary Expectations?”

Summary

In this insightful video, Amy Gallo discusses effective strategies for answering the challenging salary expectations question during job interviews. She emphasizes the importance of understanding why employers ask this and offers practical approaches, such as redirecting the conversation to ask about the company's budget or providing a salary range based on research. Gallo also shares sample responses that allow candidates to express their worth while remaining open to negotiation. By equipping viewers with these techniques, the video aims to help job seekers navigate salary discussions confidently, ultimately maximizing their compensation potential.

Takeaways

• 😀 Salary expectations are often a crucial question in job interviews and can impact future compensation.
• 😀 Interviewers ask about salary to ensure they can afford a candidate, not to trick them into underpricing themselves.
• 😀 Candidates can redirect the salary question to gather more information about the role and the employer's budget.
• 😀 It's legal in many areas for candidates not to disclose previous salary information, especially if they feel underpaid.
• 😀 Offering a salary range instead of a specific number can provide flexibility during negotiations.
• 😀 Researching typical salaries for the role in advance is essential to formulate a realistic salary expectation.
• 😀 Candidates should be prepared to discuss their qualifications and how they justify their salary expectations.
• 😀 Responses should reflect a balance between expressing salary needs and openness to negotiation.
• 😀 Sample responses can help candidates articulate their expectations while highlighting their fit for the role.
• 😀 Ultimately, candidates should prioritize their comfort level in discussing salary, focusing on mutual fit with the employer.

Q & A

Why is the salary expectations question asked during job interviews?

Hiring managers ask about salary expectations to determine if they can afford the candidate, ensuring that the interview process is efficient and that the opportunity is a mutual fit.

What is a potential downside of revealing your previous salary during negotiations?

Revealing a previous salary can anchor your expectations too low, especially if you suspect you were underpaid in the past.

What is one strategy for avoiding the salary question during an interview?

One effective strategy is to redirect the conversation by asking the interviewer about their budget for the role, which allows you to gather more information without providing a specific number.

What resources can candidates use to research typical salaries for their desired roles?

Candidates can use websites like Glassdoor and Salary.com to research salary ranges based on their experience and the specific role they are applying for.

How should candidates present their salary range when asked?

Candidates should provide a salary range that reflects their research and experience, along with a rationale for why they arrived at that range, while also indicating their openness to discuss the full compensation package.

Why is it important not to fixate on a specific salary figure?

Focusing too much on a specific figure can lead to dissatisfaction with the final offer or accepting a lower salary than what could have been negotiated.

What should candidates emphasize when discussing their salary expectations?

Candidates should emphasize their qualifications and how they align with the role, expressing enthusiasm for the position and a willingness to discuss benefits beyond salary.

How can candidates express flexibility in their salary discussions?

Candidates can express flexibility by stating that they are open to negotiation and are interested in the overall compensation package, which includes benefits and growth opportunities.

What are some example phrases candidates can use when discussing salary?

Candidates might say, 'Based on my research, I would expect a salary in the range of $75,000 to $100,000,' or 'I can be flexible around the exact numbers for a job that's a great fit.'

What should candidates do if they feel uncomfortable answering the salary question?

If uncomfortable, candidates can politely state that they prefer to discuss their qualifications first or mention that they need more information about the role to provide a salary figure.