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One of the more challenging and potentially awkward aspects of interviewing for a job is the compensation discussion. It can be a lot of pressure to figure out a number that you are happy with and communicate your monetary value as a potential employee in a way that projects confidence without seeming arrogant. Learn more about the best practices on how to answer the question, “What’s your expected salary?”:

Do Your Research

To make your response as objective as possible, be prepared by doing your research ahead of time. Look up market value and salary trends for your line of work, geographic area, years of experience, and any other relevant factors. This will give you a baseline to determine what would be an acceptable figure to discuss, as well as to gauge if any offer is significantly under market value. 

Come Up with a Range

Once you’ve done your salary research, use it to develop a salary range that you can respond with when the interviewer asks for a salary amount you expect. This prevents you from inadvertently pricing yourself out of a job offer and gives you some room for negotiating versus having a rigidly defined set number. 

Pivot the Topic to Their Needs

When the interviewer asks you, “What’s your expected salary?” you can try to get a sense of what they want out of the position before you respond with your salary range. For example, “I’m looking forward to finding out more detail about the expectations of the role first, but I’m open to a salary that aligns with the responsibilities and the value I would bring to the organization.” Be aware though that some employers have strict policies about not disclosing salary though, so be ready with a backup response of the salary range you came up with from your research, i.e., “To my understanding, the market value for a job like this in our area is $XY to $YZ.

Highlight Your Qualifications

To give a persuasive response to the salary expectation interview question, open by highlighting your qualifications. For example, you can start out by saying, “Based on my experience and track record of success, I would like a salary in the $X to $Y area.” Not only does it answer their immediate question, but also reminds them of objective reasons you would be worth the investment. 

Discuss Flexibility 

Remember: your annual salary is not the only form of compensation that makes a major difference in your overall financial situation and lifestyle. Other factors, such as comprehensive benefits, generous amounts of paid time off, a flexible schedule, or remote work options, can offset (or even be more personally valuable to you) than just a larger salary. You can add to your response something like, “I am certainly willing to be flexible and am not tied to a particular number as long as the overall compensation is fair.” 

Explore New Opportunities

Are you ready to start your job search? Team up with PrideStaff Akron for help finding the new opportunity that’s right for you. We can match you with available positions that align with your professional goals and skills. Search our available jobs to learn more.  

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