What Is Your Salary Expectation: Smartest Way To Answer

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If you want to know how to answer smartly the question “What Is Your Salary Expectation?”

Then you are on the right page!

Here I give you the complete guide to answering this question in the smartest way which impresses the interviewer.

I will also give you a bonus tip so that your salary keeps on increasing either through promotion or a better job.


Hello, Job seekers welcome to the fresh article of “Jobsformyprofile.com”.

Here in this article, I guide you to answer the question of “what is your salary expectation”.

It doesn’t matter if you are a fresher or an experienced professional, everybody gets confused when the interviewer asks this question.

And confused about how to answer this type of question to impress interviewers.

Don’t worry here you will get the complete guide for the same.

I’m working with a private firm as a Senior Manager, I had taken too many interviews.

When I ask what is your salary expectation, 95% of interviewees not able to give proper answers.

They are confused about how too much I have to ask, what happened if ask salary low or high.

So, please read this article carefully by the end of this article you will know exactly how to answer this question.

What Is Your Salary Expectation?

Why Interviewer Ask This Question?

What does the interviewer want to know by asking ‘What are your Salary Expectations?’

Here I explain a 3-step process of answering this question.

Every recruiter is different. By asking this question, some want to know. Are you are confident in your skills and experience.

So you cannot quote your salary down too low or too high.

Every company has a budget and they want to know are they can afford you.

So, Keeping these 2 points in your mind, here’s how you should not answer them.

Do not give a set number until the employer mentions it and you are negotiating it.

If the interviewer gives a finger, Even if the offer seems low, reply gracefully and ask if you can negotiate.

And the most important thing, you don’t ask the salary question, let the interviewer bring it up.

In case they bring it up, this is how you can answer the question.

What do You need To Know Before Attend Interview?

What Do You Need To Know Before Attend Interview?

When you are answering this question, you are selling your skills to the interviewer.

And to do that right, here are the 3 things that you must do.

  • Know yourself.
  • Know the job and company.
  • Check what the industry normally paying.

These are some common things you need to know before going to attend the interview to answer thing questions.

Now let’s break down each point in detail.

Know Yourself.

First, you need to list down your education, experience, qualifications, unique skills, achievements one by one.

It will help you identify what is your worth.

Know The Job And The Company.

Before going to attend an interview you need to know about your job and as well as about the company.

Because money is not everything, an average person spends 8 to 9 hours working.

And money is not a good enough reason to keep you happy for that long.

Along with money, you need to know some additional information like:-

  • Learning opportunities.
  • The team that you get to work with.
  • The company’s vision.
  • The benefits you’ll get from working for that company.
  • Office location.

So, make sure you will find most of the above-said information before going to attend the interview.

Check Industry Normal Paying.

3rd and most obvious step is to find out what the industry is paying.

Go to websites like Linkedin, Glassdoor, and see what range a company is paying for that role.

You can also try to find people working with the same company on Facebook, try to contact them.

And check with them the details about the company.

After you’ve followed these 3 steps, here are a few ways that you can present your answer.

Smart Way To Answer: What Is Your Salary Expectation

Smart Way To Answer: What Is Your Salary Expectation?

After completing all the above-said steps now you are ready to answer the question “What is your salary expectation”

As you just saw, you are politely shifting the focus from a specific number to the other benefits that a job has to offer and are showing that you are willing to negotiate.

If you are a fresher, then you can tweak this answer like this.

When you show that the company culture is important to you then you as a fresher become more preferable.

When compared to others who have similar qualifications.

You don’t have to say the same thing.

Use your own words. But you are getting what I am trying to say right?!

But if the interviewer is adamant about you providing a figure then use your 3-step research to answer.

like this:-

Now, here is a Pro Tip. Kindly do not mention your personal financial needs.

That I need this much salary because I need to pay off my loan.

Use your experience, your qualifications, and your achievements to justify your salary range.

Now, here’s a Pro Tip! A job in Jaipur might pay you 30,000 INR per month.

But the same job might pay 50,000 INR in a city like Mumbai because the cost of living, varies in cities.

I am going to tell you what you can do to increase your salary range in the Bonus Tip.

Finally, it is time for the Bonus Tip. the Bonus Tip is this. Invest in your self-growth, instead of buying materialistic things that you don’t need.

Only when you keep upgrading your skills, will you get a promotion or a better job, or better yet.

You might convert your hobby into a new career.

I hope you like this article if you found this article helpful then share it with your friends.

I think now you are ready to answer the question “What Is Your Salary Expectation“. If anyone has any query please ask in the comment box. I’m very happy to help you.

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