Page 178 - How To Answer Interview Questions (II)

Job Interview Question 98

Why don't you want to give me your salary requirements?

Salary is one of the most difficult and delicate topics of the entire job search and interview process. I
always recommend to my candidates that they try to completely avoid any discussion of salary until
after the company has decided they want to hire you. Why? Because you want them to fall in love with
you and have to have you before you tell them how much it’s going to cost. This puts you in a much
better bargaining position when it’s time to talk dollars.

Whether you are interviewing with HR or a hiring manager, they are going to ask about your salary
requirements, both to see if they can afford you and to see how little they can get you for. Your job is
to deflect as much as possible.

By the time they get to this question, you have deflected many times and they are pushing for an
answer. You have several good options:

(1) Say, “I’m uncomfortable giving you a salary requirement until I know all the
factors. I’m not sure if we’ve covered all the responsibilities and goals for this
position yet, or what the other elements in your compensation package are. Can you
tell me what the entire package would be?” Whatever you might have earned in
another position isn’t really relevant to what is fair for this job. Even similar jobs will
have different responsibilities and goals in different companies. Other factors in a
compensation package (healthcare, profit sharing, bonuses, perks, etc.) can make up
for a less-than-desired salary.

Key to a Great Interview
Negotiating the Best Salary

Find out everything you need to know about navigating salary questions and negotiating the
best compensation and benefits here: