How do you answer what are your salary requirements?

Answer 1

Asking about salary requirements is a minor information-gathering question some companies try to answer before making a final decision regarding a candidate, or to help them eliminate a candidate before beginning the interview; however, salaries are always negotiable regardless of what you might write or say in preliminary discussions, should you get offered the job. A possible written answer is that you would expect to be paid a competitive salary for the field commensurate with the years of experience, education, and qualifications you bring. A possible answer in a face-to-face discussion is that you require more information regarding where the position fits in the overall organizational scheme, including what the budgetary as well as the people responsibilities are. Finally, you could put down a figure, but be sure to check out the competitive salaries for the position so that your numbers are in-line with theirs. Clare Keating for 3C Communications Consulting Group

my old faithfol answer to this is prevailing wage.... which will get you to the interview and then ball rolls from there.

This is a very tricky question, as this is essentially an elimination question. Eg. if you aim too high, then you're out, and if you aim too low, then you're also out (interviewers get suspicious if you ask for a salary much lower than you deserve). Agreeably, the best answer is a bit more than their budget, the worst answer (if you get the job) is a few thousand dollars less than their budget.

Now the right answer is a combination of things, one: their budget (which is an unknown that can easily be known), and your experience. What you should do is research the internet for the average salary for your job taking into consideration the years of experience, and pad it with a few thousand dollars.

Now in case you're a fresh grad or an immigrant that just landed, then, and only then, an answer of "I'm sure you'll give me whatever is fair in the market". They'll probably give you a low salary, but that's your only option to get your foot on the stairs. Good luck!

Answer 2

That's an excellent question, and something I address in my upcoming book entitled: Think like an Interviewer: Your job-hunting guide to success! What you need to do is research the marketplace to find out what jobs like that are paying. Then provide a salary range based upon your research. Or your could simply ask the interviewer what salary they were looking at, and then see if it's in your acceptable range. Sometimes they'll give you a figure or a range, but other times, they'll ask you what you want. In that case, give your range.

Answer 3

It is best to know what the industry is paying for the position for which you are applying. Take into consideration your experience, education, and current salary. Give a range instead of a firm number. Ideally, you do not want the range to start below your current salary.

Answer 4

If you have been asked to mention your salary requirement, include it in the second-last paragraph of the letter. If your application is a form, it will contain a space for salary requirement; if it does not, then you can assume that the employer does not need to know your salary requirement.