What kind of salary do you need? A lot of job-seekers are asked this question in an interview and don’t know how to answer it right. Here are five Ways to Answer What Kind of Salary Do You Need in a Job Interview and give an honest answer without hurting your chances at getting the job offer.
Don’t make it about the money
In an interview, you’re going to want to come across as someone who is professional and focused on their ability to do well at their job. Answering with how much money will make it seem like you haven’t really thought through whether or not you’d be a good fit for the job or how much value you can bring (instead of focusing on what they should pay). Plus, if your expectations are far above what they were thinking, then it can be awkward if they don’t want (or can afford) to pay that much. A better way to answer is: I’m very interested in learning more about your company.
Have an alternative plan
If you can’t answer with your expected salary, have another plan prepared. If they say they cannot meet your financial needs and you absolutely must have that position or compensation package, then be ready to walk away. In some cases, companies simply cannot meet your needs and will let you go if they think it’s going to save them money. A potential solution is creating a contingency plan based on an alternate opportunity should their response deter you from pursuing the role further. Be realistic about what other opportunities might be available and have an alternative interview question ready. Sometimes having another job offer already in place can make for great leverage, so know what else is out there!
Stress your passion for the role
The number one thing you can do to answer what kind of salary do you need is stress your passion for the role. Take an interest in every aspect of their company, from where they’ve come from and what they’re working on next. In doing so, you’ll show that you are just as interested in finding out more about their business as they are with learning more about yours. This will help when it comes time for them to decide how much money they should offer you – after all, if you won’t be happy anywhere else, why would they want to lose out on hiring someone who is so excited about working with them?
Ask them about benefits, too
If they’re asking you how much you want, they want to know more than just your base salary. They also want to know what kind of benefits package will help them make a competitive offer. In an interview setting, don’t be afraid to ask about these things; it shows you’re ready for negotiations and seriously considering their offer. Plus, it gives you another chance to explain why your salary requirements are what they are (i.e., what kind of healthcare plan do they offer? Is dental coverage included? Will I have tuition reimbursement?) – thereby justifying why you need so much money at once. In other words: Don’t forget that there’s more than just base pay when negotiating your salary with an employer or client.
Keep it short and simple
The secret to an excellent answer for What kind of salary do you need? interview question is simplicity. Make it short and sweet, stating something along these lines: I’m not expecting a huge amount right now, but I want to see how we work together first. If I end up working here, I would like my salary increases based on performance and cost-of-living adjustments annually.
Conclusion
Always research what your job should pay and ask for around that. Don’t shoot low when you know you’re worth more! If you can negotiate your salary up, do it. Don’t be afraid to talk about how much money you want. Not only is it OK to bring up money during an interview—it’s also expected! Remember: Businesses are trying to find out as much information about you as possible so they can hire someone who fits their needs and will remain happy at their company. That means asking questions and talking about compensation, benefits, vacation time and work-life balance are totally acceptable topics for discussion in interviews.