What’s the hardest question to answer during a job interview? Here are a few common ones that I find especially difficult:
5 Ways to Talk About Salary During a Job Interview
Tips on how to discuss salary expectations.
December 22, 2022
Summary.
The most nerve-wracking question of all might just be: What are your salary expectations? To gain more insight into how to answer this question in a smart way, I reached out to a few of my colleagues — across job titles, departments, industries, and levels of experience — for advice. Here’s what they had to say:
- Before the interview, figure out the market rate of your role, or what people in similar jobs, in your location, and with your level of experience, are making.
- Use your research to prepare a data-driven argument. Building the conversation based on facts and data is key to avoiding confrontation.
- If you’re unsure in the moment, ask for the salary band for the role — the low-end and top end of what an organization is willing to pay someone for that position. Believe it or not, some organizations will disclose this information.
- Aim higher than you want to — negotiating down is easier than negotiating up. Take your current salary, up it by a bit, and then tell them that number.
- Use the opportunity to ask about the entire benefits package. A new employee (early career) might prioritize securing health insurance, a steady paycheck, and work-life balance versus a higher paycheck with a tight work schedule.
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Career Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Career Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
What's your next career move? Learn how to set yourself up for success.