What Are Your Salary Expectations?

“What are your salary expectations?” is a question that often pops up in interviews. It is important to have researched what the ‘market rate’ for the offered position is, and take into account any experience or qualification you have. A good basis might be to see what is offered in the job listing. Don’t be afraid to state what you expect, and don’t be too quick to dismiss a lower offer. Remember, an interview is an exchange of views. So for instance if an employer is offering less than you would like, try and find a compromise.

Example Answers

#1

“My last employer paid me £20,000 PA for the same role, as a starting salary. I know your advert stated the starting salary is £18,000 but as a compromise I would be happy to start at £19,000, on the understanding that my salary will be reviewed every 6 months, and if you are happy with my performance it can be increased to bring it in line with my previous salary.”

#2

“I believe my skills and talents are worthy of a starting salary of £20,000 PA, but I am willing to take into account the other benefits offered by your company and can see their value also. What do you feel is an appropriate starting salary having reviewed my CV?”

#3

“My last employer paid me a slightly lower wage than you are offering for this role, however I feel given the experience I gained during my employment, that the increase in salary would be justified now. There are also a few additional duties included in your role which I feel would reflect the extra wage.”

#4

“As this is not a role I have previously undertaken, yet I believe I have the skill and talent to carry out, I would like a starting salary of around £20,000, as this seems to be the average starting salary for this sort of position for entry level candidates.”

#5

“I actually think the budget you set for this job is a little on the high side, and whilst some will take advantage of that, I will not. I would actually only ask £10,000 to carry out the task as specified. I would hope that in light of my honesty, if you are satisfied with the quality of my work then in future you will come to me directly for your design needs. It is more important to me to carry out work at a fair price and gain repeat custom than it is to accept jobs and be overpaid for them, only for you to find out at a later date that you paid more than the market rate for the job and not come back to me for fear I would expect that level of pay again.”

Good luck

photo by: whappen