Addressing Salary Questions

There are many ways that potential employers may ask you about salary issues. Some of their questions may be aimed at your previous salary history, while others may try to uncover your salary expectations for the position you are currently seeking. There are a number of typical ways that salary questions can come up, as well as a number of ways to address the issue.

When the job posting requests salary information

Employers will often request previous salary information in the job posting or advertisement itself. However, unless the ad states that the employer will not even consider applicants who do not include salary details, you should not provide them. Instead, communicate in your cover letter that you expect the salary to be appropriate to the job responsibilities and your qualifications. You can also add something about the salary being negotiable if you wish.

When the interviewer asks for your current or most recent salary amount

Avoid giving a direct answer to this question whenever possible because you do not have any idea what range the potential employer has in mind. If you give a dollar amount that is significantly lower than the range the employer has in mind you have right away put yourself in a poor negotiating position.

When you are pushed to give a direct answer

If you are really pushed to give an answer, be prepared to state a range that gives you flexibility in future negotiations while still being realistic for the position in question. If the interviewer is really aggressive and insists on a specific dollar amount, give it to avoid alienating the person but give careful and cautious consideration to any job offer that comes your way.

Know your market value

Part of your interview preparation is knowing your market value. Your market value combines a number of factors to help you develop an appropriate target salary range. Some typical factors that influence your market value include:

• Experience
• Skills
• Competition
• Strength of the job market
• Comparable salaries for similar positions
• Comparable salaries for the geographic location
• Benefits and value that you bring to an organization

In addition to these most common factors, there may be other things that affect your market value. They may be specific to your industry or profession, or arise from a specific need or requirement that exists for the employer.

Preparation is key

The key to effectively dealing with salary questions and knowing your market value is to prepare yourself in advance. Research comparable positions and their salary ranges, and also take into consideration the range you really want to achieve in a new position. Practice answering salary questions in front of the mirror, or get a trusted friend to practice and role-play with you.

Use your best judgment

When it comes right down to it, addressing salary questions with a potential employer is part preparation, part finesse and part good judgment. Only you can assess the situation during the interview and determine how much or how little information you should reveal. In the end, your best bet is to use common sense and your best judgment.

Click here to go to the next salary article - Benchmarking Your Salary