In the job recruitment process, the interview is the common stage a candidate has to face. Whether a candidate will be selected or rejected depends on this stage. That is why a job aspirant can easily understand how important this stage is. During the interview, a candidate is asked various questions to test whether he or she is fit for the role in the company. There are many sure-shot questions also asked, which you can predict before because it is asked in almost all the interviews. One question you are always asked at the middle to end of the job interview is, "What are your salary expectations?" Many people do not want to say either too high or too low salary or sometimes get panic about what to say. They think and are afraid that the interviewer may judge them harshly if they tell too high or low prices.

Well, there is nothing wrong with demanding a high salary. If you think you are eligible enough and have experience, you must demand a high salary. But if you are a fresher and have no knowledge about the industry, demanding a high salary is stupid. Rather, you should agree to work at a low salary and gain experience so that you can increase your salary.

Read this article to know in detail why the interviewer asks this question, how you should answer, and what not to answer. At the end of the article, you will get a few tips to answer the interview question and samples.

Why does the interviewer ask this question?

Usually, an interviewer asks this question at the middle to end of the interview. They want to check if you are confident in your skills. By asking this question, they also came to know whether you are fully money minded or keep an interest in doing work for the company by getting the desired salary.

Moreover, every company has a budget, and they want to know if they can afford you. Discussing the salary in the middle of the interview ensures neither the candidate nor the company will waste their time.

3 steps to answer the question

As demanding a high salary is not a crime, you can demand that, but you should remember one thing you should not answer the question directly and rigidly in figures. It may create a bad impact in the recruiter's mind. Whether you are a fresher or experienced, you can negotiate your salary by following these three steps.

• Ask for the salary range 

In the interview, when you are asked the question about your salary expectation, you must answer your salary in a range. But before that, you must ask the recruiter, "What is their salary range?" Even before going for the interview, you must properly research the salary range in the industry for the post. It is also beneficial in a way that if you are thinking of giving them a salary range which may be very less as compared to their range. On the other hand, you may surpass their budget, for which they may reject you. So you must ask about their range.

• Flip the question

When you arrive at the salary negotiation question, you must turn the question by saying what the company is looking to pay. Even if they do not tell you their salary range, this question helps you to know their pre-determined budget. However, you must remember that they always say less salary than the market. If the interviewer says how much they can pay and if it matches your expectation, then it is better to demand slightly low than their defined salary. If not, you can opt for negotiation.

• Demand salary by justifying why you are worth

When a recruiter asks about salary expectations, you can start your answer by going back to your qualification, experience, and role. You should justify why you are worth and deserve more than other applicants. You have to present yourself at the beginning of the interview with how you are different from the others and how you can bring a positive change to the company. If you clearly tell them all this, then it seems more justifiable in the salary stage because you only highlight them.

How you should not answer

By reading the above paragraphs, you are now clear about how you should answer your salary expectation. Now we will know how we should not respond.

• “I expect ‘X lakh’ per annum.”

Don't tell the recruiter a fixed set number unless the recruiter mentions it or you are negotiating it.

• “Are you serious? You are giving me THAT low!”

Even if the offer seems less, you must respond gracefully. It increases the chances of increasing salary with negotiation.

• Don't ask the salary question at first from your side. Let the interviewer bring it up, they you may negotiate.

Tips to answer 

Here are a few crucial tips you must remember:

• Before going for an interview, know yourself properly. You must know your worth.
• Know the job and the company. Research the company’s salary range from various websites like Glassdoor.
• Research the salary range in the industry.
• Do not mention your personal financial needs, like you need money to pay your loan.
• If the recruiter tells you the salary range, for example, Rs 35,000 - Rs. 40,000, then it is better to demand slightly less than the maximum range, like Rs. 38,000. It creates a positive and impressive impact on them.
• Signal little flexibility so that your answer doesn't make them feel as demanded. Express your keenness in perhaps joining the company.
• Don't demand too high a salary if your research shows low worth in the market.

Samples

1. If you are a fresher:

"Since I am a fresher, I am looking forward to getting started with building my career. I am passionate about the 'XYZ' field, and I know that 'Company XYZ' will give me an opportunity to get hands-on experience. I don't doubt that you compensate your freshers well, but for me, being a part of the team and learning are equally important."

2. If you are experienced:

"I do understand that similar positions to the one I'm applying for offer salaries between 40,000k to 45,000k monthly. Given my five years of experience in this industry, my expertise, and my skills, I would expect to receive a salary in that range. However, I am open to hearing your thoughts regarding the same."