How to Answer Salary Questions in an Interview -TheJobNetwork

How to Answer Salary Questions in an Interview -TheJobNetworkTheres a bunch of things youre not really supposed to talk about in interviews. Politics, religion, that weird growth you noticed on your arm this morning. Ideally, we could add salary to that list as well more specifically salary questions. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) The job application process has a number of separate stages applying, interviewing, job offer, then salary negotiation and acceptance. Most employers stick to this, and let the money talk wait until things are further along. But if they jump the gun and ask you up front for a) your current salary or b) desired salary, what do you do?DONT bring up salary firstIt can be tempting to wrap up a great interview with, So what would my salary be? The interview is about selling yourself, and packaging yourself, so keep the emphasis on your awesomeness as a candidate. Putting a dollar figure on that awesomeness comes l ater, after they decide they want to hire you, so its best not to appear too eager. Also, it shifts the focus away from your skills and qualifications, and puts a price tag square on your forehead. And the interviewer just might not be the appropriate person to discuss salary in the first place. Many companies keep the financial negotiation part limited to HR, while your interview might be with someone who has little control over that aspect.DONT feel obligated to talk numbers.If they ask you what you expect the salary to be for this position, its okay to defer by saying, Im sure the company offers a ritterlich range, and I look forward to discussing that in the future. Answering the question directly can be risky go too high, and they may stop considering you. Go too low, and you may get low-balled on the salary after you get a job offer, if they know they can get away with a lesser amount.DO keep things vague.If the interviewer asks you what your current salary is, you can estimat e a range, and bump it up slightly to include any benefits you might have. Dont lieif you tack on $10K to what youre currently making, the true numbers will likely come up later, making you look look both foolish and shifty.DONT bust out your W-2 from last year.Even if youre asked about your current salary, its not really appropriate for anyone to ask you for specific documentation at that point.DO shift focus away from money as quickly as possible.Emphasize that while the salary is obviously an important part of any job, youre more concerned about opportunity and growth. You can say that right now, youre more interested in talking about how youd fit in with this position.DO some research up front, and have a number in mind.Even though there shouldnt be extensive talk about the salary at this point, you should already have a good idea of the range, whether its from the initial job description or some basic research about the job title or company. That way, if the subject does come u p and you name a number because you feel put on the spot, youre working with reasonable figures.In an interview, the focus should be on you, not on the financial bottom line. But if it does come up, being prepared to deflect it and move on like the smooth operator that you are will help you get through an awkward moment.