The Salary Question

How to Ask about Salary During a Job Interview

Here’s a tricky subject. The way you talk about your potential salary, or rate of pay, and the other benefits that come with the job can cost you money or even the job. Here are some tips to help you know how to ask about salary during a job interview:

1. Get an idea in your mind of how much you are willing to work for. Research what the position requires and decide what you’re willing to do it for. Then do your best to find out what the company normally pays for that position. If it is far below your expectations, don’t apply to that company. They will most likely not raise their compensation level for you. If it is far above what you thought you’d like to earn, don’t apply. You are probably not qualified for that position at this point.

2. Once you have applied, most employers will ask what your salary was at previous jobs. This immediately gives them the advantage of knowing what you’re willing to work for. If they see that you’ve normally worked for less than they normally pay, but that you are qualified for the job, they may try to offer you less of a salary than they would to someone who has a history of making more. If you previously earned more, they will assume that you will not be happy working for less and will soon be looking for a raise or a higher paying job. So again, the key is to apply to companies that pay in your range for the skills that you have.

3. Do not bring up your salary requirements in a job interview. Wait for the interviewer to ask you what your requirements are or to tell you what the job is offering. They may not bring it up during the initial interview at all. If they’re not sure that you’re the right person for the job, there’s no reason to discuss compensation. They will normally only bring this up if they think they may want to hire you. They may wait until they actually offer you the job before discussing salary. If they ask you what your requirements are, be flexible and realistic. Don’t undersell yourself unless you’re really desperate for a job, but give them a reasonable range to work with. If they make you an offer without asking you what your requirements are beforehand, do not overreact. If it is higher than you expected, calmly accept. If it is lower, be gracious and say that you’ll need to think about it. If they really want to hire you, they may call you back and make you a better offer.