Strategy 3 ways to answer 'What are your salary expectations?'

3 ways to answer 'What are your salary expectations?'

david nganga

August 15, 2018 4:47 PM

How to respond to the dreaded salary expectations question

The expected salary question is perhaps one that many candidates really hate to answer in a job interview.

Bid too high and you can kiss the position goodbye, bid too low and you let the employer know that you don’t really value your work.

Deciding how to approach this question requires thought and a little planning.

Here are a few different ways to help you answer the salary expectations question:

Provide a range

If you don’t feel comfortable providing a single number, you may choose to offer a range instead.

And while at it, be sure to name a lower number that you’d be comfortable with, since that’s probably where the hiring manager will start your offer.

Assuming your target salary is Ksh53,000, you could say:

"I'm looking for a position which pays between Ksh50,000 and Ksh57,000 per month."

Include negotiation options

While offering a specific salary range, you could also indicate some flexibility based on the benefits provided.

"I'm looking for a position which pays between Ksh50,000 and Ksh57,000 per month but I am open to negotiate salary depending on benefits, bonuses and other "

Including these as possible opportunities for negotiation is an option too.

Do not answer

You may want to deflect the question if you are still learning the specifics about the job duties and expectations.

However, keep in mind you’ll still eventually have to discuss salary expectations.

Either way, it's good to inform your employer that you want to learn more about the job first before you think about the salary that would go with it.

david nganga