An interviewer asking a salary question is like an opponent drawing a double-edged sword. If you name a price too high, they will think you’re too expensive to hire and drop you from the list. But if you name a price to low, they will hire you and you’ll work dogged days for a price not worthy of your skills.
Surely, it’s a bit unfair on the job seeker’s part. But once you’ve done your part and prepared beforehand, answering the salary question won’t be too hard for you.
How to Answer the Tricky Salary Question
Focus more on your qualifications.
Your employer won’t be too concerned with how much your services cost if you prove your . Make their eyes shine with your impressive skills and keep them entertained with other more important details than the compensation. As long as you’re giving kick ass answers, their tendency is to keep the interest on you and not your price tag. Do this by exceeding the average. Remove their boredom by letting them see that you’re not just an average candidate that they can afford to let go.
Point out the importance of the job more than the salary.
Research prior the interview to show your eagerness and enthusiasm in joining the company. Let them know that you’re aware of the job role’s importance in hitting the team’s goals. This way, they also put a high value on your skills and capacity to perform such tasks.
If you’re being asked of your current or former income.
Such a salary question can get your hands cold, especially if you’re not really happy about what you’re receiving from your former or current company. The problem is that once you answer with information, they might assume your latest compensation as your price. If you’re not comfortable giving an exact amount, at least mention a range you’re comfortable with. For example, it is safe to say that “My income is in the mid-five figures. But I’m more interested to see whether my qualifications first fit the job posting before any one of us name the price.”
If you can’t avoid salary question.
There is no such instance where you can’t do so. You can always put the question down and redirect the conversation to another concern. Remember that the one who first talk about his dollars loses. Put off the question in a polite way like, “I really won’t exact the figures until I knew what the job will actually require of me. I believe there are more important things than the compensation and smile.
The only way to dodge a bullet in answering the salary question is to make the interviewer feel that it doesn’t matter at the time. Spark the best impressions and keep the conversation positive and both of you will forget to think about money.
Image courtesy of Unsplash.com
