How to Answer the Interview Question "What is Your Expected Salary?"

Life Work Balance
24 Oct 202109:08
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this LifeWork Balance YouTube video, Abby advises on how to tackle the interview question regarding expected salary. She explains that while it's illegal in many U.S. states for interviewers to ask about current salary, they can inquire about expected salary. Abby suggests not giving a specific number at the start of the interview process, but rather expressing flexibility and a willingness to discuss once more is known about the position. Towards the end of the interview, she recommends being prepared for negotiation, emphasizing the importance of not revealing a number too early to avoid undervaluing oneself or setting unrealistic expectations.

Takeaways
  • 🇺🇸 It is illegal in most parts of the U.S. for interviewers to ask about your current salary.
  • 🚫 Avoid providing a specific number or range early in the interview process.
  • 💡 Research the job posting for a listed hiring range to inform your response.
  • 🎯 Emphasize flexibility and willingness to discuss salary after learning more about the position.
  • 💼 Highlight your experience and education as factors that add value to your expected salary.
  • 📈 If asked about salary expectations at the end of the interview process, be prepared to negotiate.
  • 🤔 Be cautious about being the first to propose a number to avoid anchoring the negotiation.
  • 💰 If providing a salary range, be prepared for the employer to consider the lower end.
  • 🔄 Understand that salary negotiation is a two-way street with different expectations for each party.
  • 📝 Keep the lines of communication open for salary discussions throughout the interview process.
  • 📌 Address salary expectations proactively to avoid surprises during the offer stage.
Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is how to answer the interview question about expected salary.

  • Why is it illegal to ask about current salary in most parts of the United States?

    -It is considered illegal because disclosing current salary could potentially lead to underpayment. The aim is to ensure that interviewers offer a fair and equitable salary based on the position and market rate, rather than basing it on what the candidate previously earned.

  • What should you do if you are asked about your current salary during an interview?

    -If asked about your current salary, you should not answer the question as it is a red flag. It is illegal in many places and could compromise your ability to negotiate a fair salary based on the new position.

  • When might you be asked about your salary expectations during the interview process?

    -You might be asked about your salary expectations either at the beginning or at the end of the interview process, depending on the employer's practices.

  • How should you respond if asked about salary expectations at the beginning of the interview process?

    -At the beginning, you should avoid giving a specific number or range. Instead, express a desire to learn more about the position and organization, mention that your expectations are flexible, and highlight the value your experience and education add to the role.

  • What is the recommended approach when discussing salary expectations at the end of the interview process?

    -At the end, you should not immediately give a number. Ideally, the employer will provide a number first. If you must provide a range, be prepared for the employer to aim for the lower end of that range, and ensure you are comfortable with the possibility of being paid at the lower end or somewhere in the middle.

  • Why is it important to avoid giving a specific salary number too early in the negotiation process?

    -Giving a specific number too early can lead to either aiming too high, which may cause the employer to dismiss you, or aiming too low, which could result in underpayment or the perception that you undervalue yourself or lack knowledge about the position's market value.

  • How can you show flexibility in your salary expectations without committing to a specific figure?

    -You can express that your salary expectations are flexible and discuss the value you bring to the position through your experience and education, indicating a willingness to determine a fair salary once more is known about the role and organization.

  • What should you do if the organization does not allow for salary negotiation?

    -If the organization does not allow negotiation, it is important to understand this policy upfront. If it's not communicated initially, try to bring up the topic early in the interview process to avoid being blindsided by a low offer or rejecting an offer due to salary expectations mismatch.

  • Why is it crucial to discuss potential salary during the interview process?

    -Discussing salary during the interview process is crucial to avoid surprises and ensure both parties have a clear understanding of the compensation expectations. It also allows for negotiation and helps prevent accepting a position only to find out the salary is lower than anticipated or desired.

  • What should you do if you have additional questions or thoughts about the video content?

    -If you have additional questions or thoughts, you can leave a comment in the comments box below the video. The creator reads through all comments and tries to respond to each one individually.

Outlines
00:00
🚀 Introduction and Understanding the Salary Question

Abby introduces the video, focusing on how to address the interview question about expected salary. She emphasizes the importance of not revealing current salary due to its potential to lead to underpayment and the illegality of this question in many parts of the U.S. Abby explains that while the current salary question is off-limits, discussing expected salary is acceptable. She advises viewers to be cautious when asked about salary expectations at the beginning of the interview process, recommending research and flexibility in response.

05:01
💼 Navigating Salary Expectations During the Interview Process

Abby delves into strategies for discussing salary expectations at different stages of the interview process. She advises against providing a specific number at the beginning, instead suggesting to learn more about the position and organization. Abby recommends expressing flexibility and highlighting one's value to the position based on experience and education. Towards the end of the interview process, Abby encourages viewers to enter into salary negotiation, cautioning against stating the first number to avoid underselling or overpricing oneself. She also touches on the potential for organizations to have a predetermined salary range and the importance of discussing salary expectations early in the process to avoid surprises.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Interview Question
An interview question is a query posed by an interviewer to a candidate to gather information about their qualifications, experiences, and suitability for a job. In the context of this video, the specific question addressed is 'What is your expected salary?', which is a common yet sensitive topic during job interviews. The video provides guidance on how to navigate this question strategically.
💡Expected Salary
Expected salary refers to the amount of money a job applicant anticipates they will receive as compensation for their work. It is often based on factors such as industry standards, the applicant's experience, and the job's responsibilities. In the video, Abby advises viewers on how to discuss their expected salary during interviews, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and research.
💡Illegal Question
An illegal question in the context of job interviews is one that violates anti-discrimination laws or regulations. The video mentions that asking about a candidate's current salary is considered illegal in many parts of the United States because it may lead to pay discrimination. The aim is to ensure that salaries are determined equitably and not based on previous earnings.
💡Equitable Salary
An equitable salary is one that is fair and unbiased, taking into account factors like job responsibilities, industry standards, and the candidate's qualifications without regard to their previous pay. The video emphasizes the importance of employers offering equitable salaries to ensure that all candidates are paid fairly for similar positions within the organization.
💡Salary Negotiation
Salary negotiation is the process of discussing and agreeing on the compensation that an employer will pay to an employee. The video provides strategies for when and how to negotiate salary during the interview process, highlighting the importance of not revealing a specific number too early and being prepared to discuss the value that the candidate brings to the position.
💡Salary Range
A salary range is a span of values within which an employer is willing to pay for a position. It is often used as a benchmark for both the employer and the candidate to determine a fair compensation. The video advises that candidates may provide a salary range towards the end of the interview process, but they should be prepared for the employer to aim for the lower end of that range.
💡Job Posting
A job posting is an advertisement that describes a job opening, its requirements, and the qualifications needed for the role. It is typically used by employers to attract potential candidates. In the video, Abby suggests that candidates should look for a hiring range listed in the job posting, which can serve as a starting point for discussing expected salary.
💡Job Responsibilities
Job responsibilities are the tasks and duties that an employee is expected to perform in their role. These can influence the salary negotiations as they reflect the complexity and importance of the position. The video emphasizes the need for candidates to understand the job responsibilities before they can provide an informed expected salary.
💡Value Addition
Value addition refers to the positive contributions and unique qualities that a candidate brings to a position, which can justify a higher salary. In the video, Abby encourages candidates to discuss their education, experience, and the value they add to a position as part of their strategy for discussing salary expectations.
💡Flexible Expectations
Flexible expectations in the context of salary negotiations mean that a candidate is open to discussing and adjusting their salary expectations based on the details of the job and the compensation package offered. The video advises candidates to express flexibility to show willingness to compromise and to avoid committing to a specific number without sufficient information.
💡Underpay
Underpay refers to paying an employee less than what is fair or equitable for their role, experience, or the market rate. The video warns against the risk of underpay, emphasizing that candidates should be cautious about revealing their current salary, as it could lead to being offered a lower salary than they deserve.
Highlights

Abby starts the video by addressing the audience and introducing the topic of discussing expected salary during job interviews.

She advises viewers to like the video and subscribe to the LifeWork Balance YouTube channel for more advice.

It is illegal in many parts of the U.S. for interviewers to ask about current salary, as this could lead to underpayment.

The rationale behind the law is to promote fair and equitable pay based on the position and market rate, not previous earnings.

When asked about expected salary, it's reasonable for both parties to have this discussion, especially if expectations are too high for the employer.

If asked about salary expectations early in the interview process, Abby recommends not giving a specific number without first understanding the job and organization.

Researching the job posting for a listed hiring range is suggested before responding to salary questions.

Expressing flexibility and willingness to discuss salary after learning more about the position is a strategic approach.

Abby advises against giving a specific number at the beginning of the interview process to avoid committing to a potentially uninformed figure.

When salary expectations are discussed later in the process, it's time to begin negotiation, with the employer ideally providing a number first.

Avoiding the risk of aiming too high or too low with your salary expectation is crucial to prevent misjudgments from either party.

If a range is given, be prepared for the employer to target the lower end, and ensure you're comfortable with that possibility.

Negotiation is key, and the employer likely has a budget in mind, so starting from their proposed salary can set a negotiation point.

Some organizations may not allow for salary negotiation due to policy or budget constraints, so it's important to clarify this early.

Abby emphasizes the importance of discussing potential salary early in the interview process to avoid surprises in the offer letter stage.

She invites viewers to share their thoughts, questions, or ideas in the comments section for further discussion.

Abby concludes the video by encouraging viewers to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for weekly LifeWork Balance advice.

Transcripts

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