Nail your interview- Top 5 Questions You Need to Answer
Part 4: “What kind of salary do you expect?”
As we wrap up this article series, we are contemplating one of the most challenging issues that job candidates will face in an interview: salary discussion. What kind of salary do you expect? What’s your bottom dollar for being compensated for your job? What salary range are you interested in?
The question can be asked in several ways, but the answers must have little room for variance. Think of this topic as you prepare for your interview, and you must be very confident and direct as you ready yourself to approach the mention of salary.
An important point to remember is that it will be in your best interest to avoid answering any question about a desired salary range on the front end of the process. This discussion would be equivalent to someone asking what you’re willing to pay for a house you have yet to see. A good response is, “It’s best to discuss the needs of this position in addition to my qualifications, which will provide both sides with the necessary information to determine appropriate compensation. If you are required to provide a range up front in an application, put a huge range with the low number being the top of what you want, e.g. $60K-$120K. Do not worry about pricing yourself out of a conversation. They aren’t a good fit if they don’t want to pay what you want.
Do your research
The next step in best preparing yourself for a solid interview is digging into your research and making a few inquiries. First, be sure you’ve inquired about the additional benefits of the job so that you’re looking at the big picture. Health insurance, dental, 401k, pension, stock options, time off, etc., are all essential to your package. If you are in a situation where you do not need some of the benefits offered, suggest increasing your salary for declining health insurance, etc. A second area of inquiry should be regarding the compensation increase structure. If it is not very aggressive, a few percentage points annually suggest a higher starting point. Remember, once you agree to a number and get started, it is challenging to renegotiate in the future.
Many people who think they are ready to nail a job interview still need to be more effective negotiators. The thought of rising in opposition to your potential employer can seem unsettling, and understandably so. However, confidently defending your angle regarding your compensation is a respectable place to be in as long as you demonstrate clear and sound explanations.
This negotiation experience can provide additional information to overcome the potential objection of the hiring manager by providing in detail what you can produce for the company to make it worth paying a bit more. The CFO might be a hard sell, but if the individual interviewing you is in your corner you, you stand a better chance of pulling out a win with a higher salary.
Remember, if you get to the point a company wants to hire you, they genuinely want to hire you! It is the opportunity to negotiate strongly, where most people miss out. Be confident in your requests avoid the tendency to ask for something, and immediately start defending it. It’s a sales game, sharpen your skills, and you will win it!
If you want to sharpen your interview skills and prepare for these questions, contact Platinum Resumes today!
This article was originally published in July 2015 and has been recently updated.