How To Discuss The Salary Question In An Interview

How To Discuss The Salary Question In An Interview

Talking about your worth in terms of how much you expect to be paid can be quite uncomfortable. Most often, it could be a ‘trick’ question in which the employer wants to gauge your thinking. They probably want to find out if you are money minded, or if you suffer from a lack of self-worth.

So, how do you answer this question when the hiring manager asks?

Perminus Wainaina, a Head of Recruitment notes that female candidates don’t like discussing their salary expectations in interviews, leave alone negotiating, which he finds very unfortunate.

With all that there is to consider when answering the big salary question, let’s explore how to go about it in a professional and excellent manner.

7 Things to Consider When Answering the Salary Question in an Interview

1.Always have a number in mind

Never walk into an interview without an expected amount. It’s quite dangerous because you can be tossed by the wind, whichever way the employer blows it.

Ask your family members, a career coach, a mentor or a colleague, how much they think a particular job should pay.

Be armed, always.

2.Let the employer bring up the salary topic

Don’t bring it up, unless the interview has ended, and it was not discussed. Bringing up the salary discussion too early in an interview sends a bad impression.

Let it come from the employer, after all, he’s the one offering the job.

3. Always negotiate within a range

You have probably come across a job that reads something like “Accounts Manager 70-80K”. That’s a range, and depending on your experience, your negotiation skills and what you are offering the company, you can negotiate up to the highest amount.

That said; always have a range that you can offer the employer to negotiate.

4. Support your expected salary with an explanation.

The employer does not know how much of an asset you are going to be in his company. It could be that you have hidden talents that you are going to bring to the company. Therefore, support your expected salary with reasons, and good ones for that matter that could include your special skills, your education, and qualifications.

5. Remain Amicable

This means that you are flexible and willing to compromise if need be. Sometimes, you can mention a salary range that is way too high for some employers. Remember that companies are different and just because Safaricom pays double of what another company is offering, for example, that does not mean that you are being underpaid.

Company budgets are different. Therefore, don’t compare companies, unless you were previously earning way more than what you are presently being offered.

6. Do your research

I have talked about this before, and I will add on by saying that Research is your best friend when it comes to negotiating. Research on the company to get a scope into who they are, what they do, and their company structure.

Look up salary information on the job you are looking for in articles.  The research will enable you to be confident about your salary expectation because you will reference from your research.

7. Add a percentage to your previous salary

If you are looking to grow in your career, you want your money to grow with you, don’t you? Therefore, it is safe to add a percentage of 15% to what you have been earning.

If the employer is willing to give you that money, you have won.

In a nutshell, research and being prepared is the secret to scoring highly in the salary question. The research will give you the benefit of getting a salary that is within the market range. It will also give you enough confidence to defend your offer.

Have you handled the salary question in an interview before? How did you go about it? I’d love to know. Leave your comments below.

For enquiries, Email Susan at susan@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke.

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