Guidelines for Discussing Salary Expectations in Job Interviews

·Sep 14, 2024 02:40 PM

Hi everyone, I recently applied for a job. How should I respond when asked about my salary expectations in the interview, given that I initially mentioned $1200/month in the job form but have since learned from the company website that they are offering $2000/month for the role?

6 comments

· Sorted by Oldest

Evan Huck
·
$2,200/mo. Have you interviewed yet? do you feel like you have a good chance of getting the job? If you have some leverage (ie you feel like they like you), then shoot higher and you will likely have an opportunity to negotiate and come down. Doesn't really matter what you put in the form - now you know they are offering more. And you may have interviewed for other jobs that offered more, so that original anchor from your form is irrelevant now. Also I assume this is international or part time or something?
Sarah Miller
·
I always at least try to see if the interviewing org will share first. "I'd need to learn more about the role and expectations before I'd be prepared to give a set number. Do you have a budget in mind, based on how you've defined the role?" If that doesn't fly, maybe "I'm interviewing for roles in the range of X." And I most often aim higher, like Evan said.
Carret
·
Thanks for your thoughtful responses Sarah Miller Evan Huck! My concern is, what if they ask why I am raising it from $1200/month - $2.2k? What do you think should be the ideal response in this case?
👍1
Sarah Miller
·
"I've gotten a some clarity about the role and expectations and I think X is more in line with this than my original response." I don't think they'll ask though. If you know they pay significantly more than your original ask, they know it too.
❤️3
Carret
·
Makes sense Sarah Miller! Also, since the job description is clearly outlined on their website, would it seem insincere if I ask for more details before giving a more informed answer? Would it seem like I didn't bother to go through the job description since I am putting up this question?
Sarah Miller
·
I don't think it's going to be a problem. Things change and people get more info. What you learned about the role and expectations is that they pay more than you originally asked. That's true. This is all kind of a game anyway. I truly can't imagine they'll second guess you. An org will always try to get the best deal--it's business. But if they're giving you a hard time because you want their listed rate, then that's not a great impression of them.

Evan Huck
·
$2,200/mo. Have you interviewed yet? do you feel like you have a good chance of getting the job? If you have some leverage (ie you feel like they like you), then shoot higher and you will likely have an opportunity to negotiate and come down. Doesn't really matter what you put in the form - now you know they are offering more. And you may have interviewed for other jobs that offered more, so that original anchor from your form is irrelevant now. Also I assume this is international or part time or something?
Sarah Miller
·
I always at least try to see if the interviewing org will share first. "I'd need to learn more about the role and expectations before I'd be prepared to give a set number. Do you have a budget in mind, based on how you've defined the role?" If that doesn't fly, maybe "I'm interviewing for roles in the range of X." And I most often aim higher, like Evan said.
Carret
·
Thanks for your thoughtful responses Sarah Miller Evan Huck! My concern is, what if they ask why I am raising it from $1200/month - $2.2k? What do you think should be the ideal response in this case?
👍1
Sarah Miller
·
"I've gotten a some clarity about the role and expectations and I think X is more in line with this than my original response." I don't think they'll ask though. If you know they pay significantly more than your original ask, they know it too.
❤️3
Carret
·
Makes sense Sarah Miller! Also, since the job description is clearly outlined on their website, would it seem insincere if I ask for more details before giving a more informed answer? Would it seem like I didn't bother to go through the job description since I am putting up this question?
Sarah Miller
·
I don't think it's going to be a problem. Things change and people get more info. What you learned about the role and expectations is that they pay more than you originally asked. That's true. This is all kind of a game anyway. I truly can't imagine they'll second guess you. An org will always try to get the best deal--it's business. But if they're giving you a hard time because you want their listed rate, then that's not a great impression of them.