What are your Salary Expectations? | Best Answer (from former CEO)

The Companies Expert
30 Sept 201905:00
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses the common job interview question about salary expectations and offers strategic advice on how to handle it. It explains that the question can be a trick designed to eliminate candidates, depending on when it's asked in the interview process. The speaker advises avoiding a specific number in early interviews and instead asks for more details about the role or the company's approved salary range. If pressed for a figure, providing a broad range is recommended. The video aims to help job seekers navigate this tricky question without jeopardizing their candidacy.

Takeaways
  • πŸ’‘ The question about salary expectations is often a trick question used to eliminate candidates early in the interview process.
  • 🎯 When asked about salary expectations, consider the stage of the interview process before answering.
  • 🚫 Avoid giving a specific number too early in the process to prevent immediate disqualification.
  • πŸ€” If pressed for a number, inquire about the approved salary range for the position.
  • πŸ“Š If a range is provided, agree to it without specifying a particular figure.
  • πŸ”’ If no range is given, provide a broad salary range to keep your options open.
  • πŸ’¬ When asked for details, express a need to understand the company culture and role responsibilities.
  • πŸ“Œ Remember that the initial response should be about needing more details rather than providing a figure.
  • πŸ›‘ Do not give a number that is too low or too high, as it may affect your chances later in the process.
  • πŸ“ˆ Keep in mind that your goal is to progress to later stages of the interview process where salary negotiations are more appropriate.
  • πŸ—£οΈ Practice and preparation can help navigate this common interview question successfully.
Q & A
  • What is the main reason the salary expectation question is considered a trick question in job interviews?

    -The salary expectation question is considered a trick question because it is often used to eliminate candidates early in the interview process based on their salary requirements, rather than their qualifications or fit for the role.

  • How does the stage of the interview process influence the way you should answer the salary expectation question?

    -If asked during the last round of interviews, the interviewer might be genuinely interested in accommodating your salary expectations. However, if asked in the first or second interview, it could be a tactic to filter out candidates based on their salary demands without considering other aspects of their suitability for the job.

  • What is the recommended strategy for answering the salary expectation question in the early stages of an interview?

    -In the early stages, it's best to avoid stating a specific number. Instead, express the need for more details about the role and ask about the approved salary range for the position.

  • What should you do if the interviewer insists on a salary number after you've asked for more details about the role?

    -If pressed for a number, you can ask for the approved salary range for the position. Once provided, you can respond by saying that the range would work for you, keeping your options open.

  • How can you handle a situation where the interviewer does not provide a salary range but still asks for your expectation?

    -In such a case, give a wide range with a low starting point and a high upper limit. This prevents you from being eliminated due to salary requirements and allows for negotiation towards the upper end later in the process.

  • What is the significance of not giving a specific number for your salary expectations?

    -Avoiding a specific number prevents you from being immediately disqualified based on your salary expectations. It also allows for more flexibility in negotiations later on.

  • What kind of details about the role should you seek to provide a more accurate salary expectation?

    -Details such as job responsibilities, required hours, overtime, shift work, travel requirements, breaks, benefits, flex time, remote work options, and the company culture can all influence your salary expectation.

  • How can you counter an interviewer's follow-up question about what specific details you need to determine your salary expectation?

    -You can mention the need for a better understanding of the company culture and general job demands, which can be a more diplomatic way of buying time to avoid committing to a specific salary figure.

  • What should be your approach if the interviewer continues to press for a specific salary figure without providing a range?

    -If the interviewer insists on a number without offering a range, it's advisable to provide a broad range that is still within reason for the position, ensuring you don't price yourself out of the job but also don't undersell your worth.

  • Why is it important to negotiate your salary towards the upper end of the range in later stages of the selection process?

    -Negotiating towards the upper end of the range allows you to maximize your earning potential while still staying within the company's approved compensation framework.

  • What advice does the speaker give for candidates to avoid being eliminated due to salary expectations?

    -The speaker advises candidates to avoid stating a specific number too early in the interview process, seek more information about the role, ask about the approved salary range, and only provide a broad salary range if pressed for a number.

  • What can candidates do to ensure they don't miss out on future advice and insights from the speaker?

    -Candidates are encouraged to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell on the speaker's channel, and also check out the speaker's Patreon page for more content.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ’Ό Navigating the Tricky Salary Expectations Interview Question

This paragraph discusses the common interview question about salary expectations and why it's often a trick question designed to eliminate candidates. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the stage of the interview process when answering this question. The speaker advises that if asked early in the process, candidates should avoid giving a specific number and instead request more details about the role or inquire about the approved salary range. The key strategy is to give a wide salary range to avoid immediate disqualification while keeping the option open for negotiation later in the process.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Salary Expectations
In the context of the video, 'salary expectations' refers to the amount of money a job candidate believes they should earn for a particular job. It's a crucial factor during job interviews as it can influence the hiring decision. The video emphasizes the importance of carefully handling this question to avoid early elimination from the selection process.
πŸ’‘Job Interview
A 'job interview' is a meeting between a potential employer and a candidate to assess the candidate's suitability for a job. In the video, it's highlighted as a stage where the question about salary expectations often arises, and the candidate's response can significantly impact their chances of being hired.
πŸ’‘Trick Question
A 'trick question' is a query that is designed to catch someone off guard or to elicit an answer that might lead to their disadvantage. In the video, the question about salary expectations is described as a trick question because it can inadvertently lead to a candidate's elimination if not answered correctly.
πŸ’‘Compensation
Compensation refers to the salary, wages, and other benefits provided to an employee in exchange for their work. The video discusses how employers might use the question about salary expectations to determine if a candidate's desired compensation aligns with what the company is willing to offer.
πŸ’‘Elimination
In the context of job interviews, 'elimination' refers to the process of weeding out candidates who do not meet certain criteria, such as salary expectations that are too high. The video emphasizes that answering the salary question incorrectly can lead to a candidate's elimination from consideration.
πŸ’‘Interview Process
The 'interview process' encompasses all the stages and activities involved in evaluating and selecting a job candidate. The video outlines strategies for answering the salary expectations question based on the different stages of this process, highlighting the importance of timing and strategy in response.
πŸ’‘Salary Range
A 'salary range' is the interval between the lowest and highest possible salaries that a company is willing to pay for a specific job role. The video suggests that candidates should try to elicit this information from the employer as part of their strategy to navigate the salary expectations question.
πŸ’‘Job Selection
Job selection refers to the process by which employers choose the most suitable candidate for a job from a pool of applicants. The video discusses how the salary expectations question can be a tool used during this process to filter out candidates who have unrealistic expectations.
πŸ’‘Candidate
A 'candidate' is an individual who is applying or has applied for a job opening. In the video, the focus is on how candidates can strategically handle the salary expectations question to improve their chances of progressing through the interview process and ultimately being selected for the job.
πŸ’‘Employer
An 'employer' is an individual or organization that hires workers and pays them a salary or wage. In the context of the video, the employer is the party interested in understanding a candidate's salary expectations as part of their selection process.
πŸ’‘Job Demands
Job demands refer to the requirements and pressures associated with a particular job role. In the video, the speaker suggests that a candidate might need more details about the job demands before they can provide an accurate salary expectation.
Highlights

The job interview question about salary expectations is often a trick question designed to eliminate candidates.

Many people fail job interviews because they answer the salary expectation question incorrectly.

The way you answer the salary question depends on the stage of the interview process you're in.

If asked about salary expectations early in the interview process, it's likely the interviewer is trying to eliminate candidates.

Avoid giving a single number as your salary expectation, especially in the first or second interview.

Initially, express the need for more details about the role before providing a salary expectation.

If pressed for a number, ask the interviewer about the approved salary range for the position.

If given a salary range, respond by saying that it would work for you without specifying a particular figure.

If the interviewer doesn't provide a salary range, give a wide range to avoid elimination based on salary requirements.

Never give a specific number as your salary expectation, especially in the early stages of the interview process.

Providing a wide salary range keeps you in the running and allows for negotiation towards the upper end later in the process.

When asked for details needed to determine salary expectations, mention wanting a feel for the company culture.

This three-stage answer strategy helps navigate the salary expectation question without jeopardizing your candidacy.

Sharing experiences with the salary expectation question can lead to collective learning and improvement.

The speaker, Bill, is presented as an expert in the company and offers advice through videos and a Patreon page.

Transcripts
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