Answer Difficult Interview Questions about Salary

How do you respond when the interviewer asks you difficult interview questions about your job salary requirements?

For candidates who have previously earned a salary these are the guidelines when responding to the job interview question:

"What salary are you looking for?"

If this is asked early on in the interview process you could suggest that there is time to discuss it later in the interview process but that right now you are interested in learning more about the position and job responsibilities. Additionally, more information about the job tasks and responsibilities is necessary before being able to properly answer salary questions.

If the interviewer presses you on the salary question you can ask if there has been an amount budgeted for this position or ask if there is a salary grade attached to the job and see if it fits your requirements.

When there is no indication of salary and the interviewer continues to probe, you will have to respond with a number. If you don't, you may create the impression that it is unimportant what you get paid and any offer is acceptable.

When responding to difficult interview questions about what salary you are looking for, rather than confining yourself to a specific figure, state a range:

"The range for this sort of position is between $X and $Y."

To determine the range consider what salary you want, your most recent salary and the market-related salary for the job. Don't undervalue yourself but continue to emphasize that the position is the most important factor. Money should not be perceived as the most important thing to you.

"I am currently earning $..., I would obviously like to better that figure but my main interest is the actual position."

Taking a new job does not automatically make you worth more money. Link any reference to an increase on your previous salary to increased job responsibilities and demands.

Stick to the facts when stating your previous salary, it is within the rights of a prospective employer to request proof of your former salary. You have the right to decline the request but this is likely to be perceived negatively in the job interview.

For candidates with no real salary history these are the guidelines to use when giving job interview answers to the question:

"What do you feel this position should pay?"

You could suggest a range to the the employer but your suggestions need to be based on good research to make sure they are industry-related. These are good resources for conducting salary research:

NACE- the National Association of Colleges and Employers - collates and publishes comprehensive information on new graduate salaries based on regular surveys. You can go to the NACE website to view how to access this information.

salary.com and salaryexpert.com are also useful research sites but be specific about the area you are searching for, the cost of living differs greatly between areas and is a critical factor in determining average salaries. This data helps you to confirm that your salary requirements and what you are being offered are in line with the industry averages in the particular geographical area.

Back up your salary suggestion with details of how you got that figure, for example:

"I have reached this figure through some extensive research, I have used the NACE stats and information from recent salary surveys in this area."

How to answer common job interview questions

Be prepared for those unexpected strange interview questions that can throw you in your job interview.

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