What is the correct response when potential new employer ask (what are your salary requirements?)?

Question

From what I have read you can asure yourself of not getting hired with the wrong answer. I have tried to reasearch the salary range for the job, but its hard when the area I will be covering is so large. Former job paid to low for level of responsibility, I covered 1 state and 30 facilities, New job 19 facilities and 4 states. (potential for more facilities as co. grows)

Answer 1

As an interviewer and person who hires I can tell you, do not say "negotiable". You need to be up front and tell them what kind of money you want to be making. Yes, jobs and companies have ranges of what they can pay, but they also know the highest amount they can pay. If your rate is higher than they are willing or able to go then you are wasting time for both parties. Have a range in mind when you go in to interview, put it on the application, cover letter or be ready to discuss it.

Obviously you can negotiate the amount before accepting it, but everybody knows what they will work for.

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

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 4

Usually "negotiable" is the best response. However, if they nail you down, be honest -- when they ask the lowest, indicate the lowest you are willing to accept to leave your current position and move to their job. But also give a high end which is reflective of what you expect to earn. And don't be afraid to indicate that you are willing to adjust your requirements -- for example, you are willing to take a lower starting wage while you learn the position with an automatic adjustment in 90 days after you have proven that you can do the job.

Answer 5

give a range - the lowest you will accept and the highest you could expect.

Answer 6

negotiable