Talking Salary at an Interview

By Victoria Robertson on March 19, 2021

Interviews are intimidating, challenging, and come with a lot of pressure, especially if you’re determined to get the job. While talking through your job history, your education and your other qualifications might be simple, there’s always the sticking point of your salary, which can raise anxieties.

If you’re unsure of how to approach the subject, or simply need pointers on how to effectively communicate your requirements without sounding too pushy or that you’re asking for too much, here are a few tips to help you nail that interview, salary requirements and all!

Photo Via Pixabay

1. Gather Information

Before walking out the door for your interview, you should not only have done your research on the company you’re applying to and the job you’re applying for in specific, but you should also have looked into average salary details for your position.

When walking into the interview, you should be equipped with stats, figures, and statistics on salary ranges for the job you applied for (within the industry you’re applying to, and the geographical location). This information will help you to ensure you’re not being low-balled but also ensure you’re not going in and asking for too much.

2.  Don’t Feel Obligated to Share Compensation Details

While the rules here vary depending upon the industry and employer, there is now regulation in place, for many businesses, in which an interviewer cannot ask an applicant what they are currently making.

Providing your previous salary has the potential to pigeonhole you into a lower salary in a new position. For this reason, all past salary information should be shared at your own discretion. That being said, if you do choose to share your previous salaries, make sure your interviewer is aware of your thoughts on that salary. For instance, if you believe you were underpaid, or are otherwise leaving with hopes of an increase, don’t leave that information out.

3. Make the Topic a Discussion

Discussing your salary requirements with your interviewer is recommended. While some individuals simply state their minimum salary requirements, turning this discussion into a larger conversation often provides more insight about the applicant, which could make or break your interview.

For this reason, turn the conversation into that discussion. Don’t only give them information on what you’re asking for, but also, why you’re asking for it. Typically, when provided this context (i.e. your ability to pay your bills), interviewers are more likely to meet those minimum requirements.

4. Learn About the Whole Package

Salary is oftentimes a sticking point, but that’s not to say that it’s the end-all-be-all. In fact, it’s usually in your best interest to be a bit more flexible when it comes to your salary requirements.

For instance, if you’re looking for a minimum salary of $40,000 annually, a job that pays exactly $40,000 with no benefits wouldn’t be as appealing as a job that pays $38,000 with benefits. For this reason, you shouldn’t think of the number itself as the main deciding factor, and should instead think through the bigger picture and what that breakdown is going to look like for you.

5. Ask If There’s a Range

Sometimes, salary isn’t actually brought up in an interview by the interviewer. This isn’t abnormal, and sometimes, it’s not a sticking point for the interviewee, so the subject is easily dropped.

That being said, if you’re concerned about salary or otherwise need to know more information in that regard, don’t be afraid to bring it up. Simply ask your interviewer if there is a salary range for the position. From here, if needed, you can turn this topic into a larger conversation and discuss your minimum requirements, etc.

6. Be Aware of Your Minimum Requirements

Last, but certainly not least, it’s important that you’re aware, before going into the interview, what your minimum requirements are when it comes to salary. Oftentimes, this means the bare minimum you can accept while still living as comfortably as possible (i.e. paying all your bills with some money left over for savings).

The more flexible you are here, the less pressure there is on this requirement, but we live in an age in which many college graduates have student loans and other debt to pay off, so don’t be afraid to walk away if a job isn’t financially feasible for you. And in that case, let the interviewer know, you may be surprised as to their ability to be flexible as well.

Getting a new job isn’t without its challenges, and for many, that includes obtaining the correct salary. Your interview process is stressful enough without that added sticking point, so these tips are designed to help you breeze through that conversation, incident-free.

The bottom line is that your salary matters, and you should be getting what you are deserving of. It’s a sensitive and uncomfortable topic, but one that certainly needs to be discussed, so don’t shy away from it; instead, approach the topic with confidence and rely on these tips to help ease you through the conversation.

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