When a potential employer asks "what kind of salary do you expect?",what is the correct answer?

Answer 1

If you can, do your homework before the interview, all the human resources office for the company and ask what the range is for that position. Then you can give a realistic answer. And do always ask the employer what the range for that position is before volunteering an amount. I've heard a saying that the first one to mention money in the interview loses the negotiating power. Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Employers ask this all the time, and it's a good reason for you to do your homework before going to an interview. There are hundreds of "salary survey" sites on the 'net where you can find out what average salaries are for the kind of job you'll be doing and for the area of the country you'll be doing it in. Take 10 minutes before an interview and find out what you should expect to be making -- that way, even if the interviewer doesn't ask the question, you'll know if their offered salary is fair and reasonable or if they're trying to get you cheap.
If they do ask the question (or when you're responding to an offer), with the salary survey info you can make a good response or good counter-offer. I would suggest you take the average salary for that job, factor in your level of experience (raise the salary up for more experience, lower it down for less), then add 10% to your result. Tell them that's what you expect to make. As an employer who has hired literally hundreds of people, I can assure you that the employer will ALWAYS try to get you for as little as possible. If you accept a low-ball offer, it's your own fault for not knowing what the market for your skills is. Make salary negotiation a positive aspect of getting a new job: tell them you expect to make 10% above the average, and tell them WHY (what skills you bring, the extra hours you'll put in, what kind of results they can expect from you). 9 times out of 10, if you sell yourself properly, you'll get the higher salary -- then just be sure to deliver on what you promised to get it! Good luck.

Answer 3

Look up the average for that job online and make sure you can live off it. If you're good, then consider how well qualified you are. Adjust for that, but stay in the same ballpark. Keep that number in mind, but when first you hear the question, your response is:
"I'm not ready to discuss salary quite yet. Can you tell me more about the position? [insert specific question that demonstrates you've been paying attention.]"

Once you have been through the process and you're close ot the end, they know they want you and you know you want the job, then your answer is:
"What are you offering?"

Only after all this dancing around do you bring your number out as a counter-offer.

Answer 4

1. Unless they have already OFFERED you the job, it is too soon to discuss compensation. 2. Your requirements NEVER matter. The value of what you will DO for them is the issue. 3. You should research the company and the compensation for similar jobs in the area BEFORE you are asked this question. Then you will KNOW the correct answer. The first answer said "negotiable". That is the worst possible response. Don't SAY you will negotiate. Just negotiate.

Answer 5

this is a difficult question to answer. i have owned a business for 12 years and have had people work for me. i think that you should ask what you feel is fair for the amount of work you are requested to do. a person who asks for a lower hourly rate is sometimes thought of as being not sure of themselves. a person that asks for to much is thought of as someone looking for a free ride. the best thing is to be honest and give a range, not an exact figure. remember the employer may choose the lower number so make sure that is what you can live with.

Answer 6

Tell them that its negotiable, but be realistic. There is nothing wrong with telling them how much you need to be making, you know in your mind what you need to make. Lets say your last job paid $10 bucks an hour, but that wasn't nearly enough to pay your bills and survive, so tell them you need between $13-15 an hour. That will let them know right away if they can even afford you and that way you don't end up taking a job that pays $9 bucks and hour because you're desperate for a job, any job and then end up leaving that one because you can't make ends meet and you end up complaining about not making enough, but you never told them what you needed to make. Don't be afraid to put a price tag on your time. What do you think you're worth and are they willing to pay it.

Answer 7

I would give a range. The minimum being what you were making in your last job, the maximum being the most people could realistically make at that job. Never allow yourself to take a step down in pay unless the job is your dream job and/or you have the ability to rapidly advance up the pay scale. Make sure you have a realistic idea of what the going rate is for that line of work.

Answer 8

You should tell them what your last salary was ... then give them a range of what you expect your new salary should be. I would shoot for around 10 percent more at your new position. Also, be realistic when negotiating salary for a new position.

Answer 9

I always say negotiable. If they were planning to pay you more thank you said, you might have screwed yourself.

I like to be paid with completive rates, meaning I don’t want to be paid top dollar (I do, but I don’t want to out bid myself) but you don’t want to be at the bottom of the barrel.

It’s important to know what your job offers, like benefits, retirement, vacation, ect… I don’t make the best money at my job, but I get vacation, splendid benefits and a 401 k… so I might not be making as much as others… but I don’t have to pay for any of my perks… so to me it evens out.

See what the company has to offer you before you decide upon a salary

Answer 10

go 2/3 dollars up from your last employer or if its a professional job... go to the extreme. The worst they can say is no. Ask yourself what you think your worth.