Job tip 25: Tough interview questions: “What salary are you seeking?”
One of the toughest interview questions to navigate is “What salary are you seeking?” James Walton of Live Recruitment outlines the best ways to prepare for this key question.
By the time your interviewer asks you about your salary expectations, you’ve probably had quite a productive interview. There are a number of reasons to ask this question but it’s usually a positive sign but it’s you’ve also reached a crucial point in the process. For that reason, it’s important to keep your options open and keep the discussion going if you’re interested in the role.
The key to responding well to this question is have thought about it beforehand.
First, do your homework
Of all interview questions, this is one of the trickiest. You can prepare by knowing the value of someone with your skills. There are various sites out there, such as TotalJobs.com’s Salary Checker, that claim to show you the average wage, plus the highest and lowest salaries for that position, based on recent job adverts. These can be a useful guide, but they’re not infallible, as the example below shows!
Second, try not to mention specifics until you’re offered the role
Salespeople know that, if you’re the first to mention a figure, you’re immediately at a disadvantage in bargaining terms. Try not to give any specific numbers in the heat of the moment, as it could put you in a poor position when negotiating later on. Your interviewer will usually understand if you don’t want to discuss numbers until you are offered the job.
If you’re pressed it’s important not to seem evasive but to try and avoid falling into the trap. If they have provided a guideline salary with the job description, you could mention this and say it’s around the same area you’re looking for. You could also say that you’re flexible and will review the overall package on offer to you.
Good luck! Get in touch with Live Recruitment if you have any specific questions – we’re always happy to give advice on jobhunting.
More Blog, Featured, Getting a new job, Interviews, Tip of the Week
