If your job interview goes great, one of the next steps is discussing your salary expectations.
This portion of the interview can often be a bit tricky to navigate – but it doesn’t have to be.
While some states prevent employers from seeking or relying on an applicant’s salary history to make wage decisions – many will still ask about your expectations.
If you don’t know how to properly answer this question, you might seem uninterested in the job or give the employer an opportunity to offer less than they would have normally offered.
Not something we want!
Below, we outline a few details on how to prepare yourself to win that future conversation.
3 Steps to Answering Salary Expectation Interview Questions
1. Know the Market Rate for Your Skill Set
First, you need to know the market rate for your skill set is. You can use sites like SimplyHired, GlassDoor, or jobs.google.com to see what people are making in your field and provide you a better idea around what to ask for.
Know your worth and don’t be shy here – you’re one of a kind and should be making good money for all the hard work you do!
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask What the Position Pays First
Many candidates beat the employer to this salary related question by asking how much the position pays before they bring it up.
Most times this will be followed up with a “Well, what are your salary expectations?” response from the hiring manager – but other times they will provide a range they are willing to pay.
The number they provide will likely be a starting point and is almost always negotiable.
3. Show How Your Skills Will Benefit the Company
If your salary expectations are on the high end of what they are offering, follow it up by talking about why you would be a great fit for the company and for the position.
The hiring manager wants to know that if they spend “X” amount of money to bring on a new employee, there will be solid results that follow.
Put their minds at ease by showing why you will knock it out of the park!
Salary Expectations Example Answers
“With my current experience and success growing similar marketing departments like (their company), I’m looking for ($ amount) to make a change in my career. I believe I have a lot to offer (their company) in this position and will prove that if this opportunity plays out.”
“I’m looking for ($ amount) based on my current background and history of growing similar sales teams like (their company). I believe I have a lot to bring to the table for (their company) and will show my dedication and commitment to the role if I were to be brought on.”
Wrapping Up
Knowing your rate, asking the hiring manager first and explaining why you deserve a specific salary are all you need to put yourself in a good position for this portion of the interview.
Remain professional at all times and put your best foot forward. This will only help the hiring manager in making the right decision.
Regardless of what is said after discussing your salary expectations, make sure to wrap up the interview by thanking them for the opportunity and letting them know you look forward to hearing from them.
That’s it!
We hope this helped and best of luck with your interview!
