How to Talk About Salary During an Interview
Written by Valentine Fabre
So you prepared your responses for common interview questions, only to be asked about your salary expectations. From inducing feelings of discomfort to actual disagreement, even the most experienced professionals may struggle to navigate discussion of pay. Still, having that conversation is essential as it allows both you and the employer to ensure that you are the right match for each other.
Here are a few ways you can approach salary negotiation during the interview process.
Come Prepared
This may sound obvious, however salary research can easily be overlooked during your interview preparation. Whether the salary is listed in the ad or not, you must study the job market as well as the company itself to get an idea of your potential income range. Websites such as Glassdoor, Indeed and even LinkedIn are great places to look for insight.
If the salary is already specified in the ad, you may not be in a position to negotiate it, but it is always worth asking — just make sure you are being respectful. There is no harm in saying, “Is the stated salary negotiable?” as long as you are ok being told no.
If the salary is not mentioned in the ad, however, or it is stated as “competitive” — ask about the salary range allocated for the position. Since you have already done your research, you can then make your case about why you deserve your desired salary. Make sure to mention current market conditions and what you can bring to the table.
Find the Right Time
If the interviewer does not bring up the topic of pay, it might be tricky to raise the subject yourself. Mentioning it too early could make it seem like you are not personally invested in the position or the company, potentially costing you the position, while not mentioning it at all could lead to underwhelming offers.
To avoid either option, make sure that all the interview basics are covered first. Once you have talked about your experiences and skills, and have attested to your worth as well as got a better sense of the company’s culture, it is the perfect opportunity to address pay. In case you are not sure how to ask, here are a few examples to guide you: “We have not covered the topic of compensation, and I was wondering what was the budget allocated for this position?”
“I feel like this position aligns very well with what I am looking for, can you let me know what is the salary range?”
“To make sure that we are on the same page, can you please tell me more about the salary for this role?”
Think Things Over
The topic of salary is as important for employers, who must adhere to budgets while ensuring they can acknowledge employees’ worth, as it is for candidates looking for a job that aligns with their needs and expectations. It is therefore common practice to not give a definite answer on the spot.
Instead, ask the interviewer about other rewards and benefits such as pension contributions, holiday allowance, expense coverage, remote work and even gym memberships. Once you have all the information, ask your interviewer for time to think about their offer, and reassure them that you will come back to them with a more definite answer promptly.
Whether you are ready to go for your interview or still unsure of how to approach it, discover The Glowth Academy’s group coaching sessions to instil in you the confidence needed.
Written by Valentine Fabre