When asked about salary requirements, it’s best to say “negotiable” or suggest a higher amount than you’re willing to work for. Let the employer start the salary discussion and don’t convey desperation. If a company offers a non-negotiable salary, ask about future raises.
If you’ve ever applied for a job, you’ve probably been asked to state your salary requirements. This is essentially the amount of money you will be working towards at a given job. Most experts would suggest not listing the lowest amount, as this is the rate you’re likely to be hired at. Instead, it’s much better to let a company open salary negotiations with you after you’re hired. When salary requirements are asked, the standard answer should be “negotiable,” rather than a specific number.
If you absolutely must declare salary requirements, you should almost always recommend an amount higher than you would reasonably be willing to work for. The final hiring process should include a salary discussion. Check industry rates for your field and experience level, and list salary requirements at the higher end, when absolutely necessary. Of course, if you’re desperate for work, you may be willing to take a lower salary to get a job, but you should start by asking for more, and then agreeing to take less. On the other hand, don’t state excessively high salary requirements, since a company may consider you too expensive.
Many people don’t realize that salary requirements involve negotiation, in many cases. When offered a job, unless the job has already declared your salary, let the employer start by offering a salary. If it’s less than what you want, express it in a kind and non-defensive way. A statement such as “I am disappointed and I truly think the amount of X is a more appropriate rate for my experience and skills” is one way to initiate salary negotiation.
Employers may count on your desperation when trying to hire you, but you may not be desperate for a job. When you talk about salary, you don’t want to convey desperation, but heartfelt thanks for a job offer. So after you’re “unofficially hired,” start asking for a higher pay rate than you want, and if it’s reasonable, wait for employers to meet you halfway. It can help to know if there is a salary cap for your job, since that may help you decide if a job is worth taking.
Getting hired should always be the first goal, with salary requirements discussed as the last step. Once a company says, “We want you,” you’ve been given a bargaining tool. What’s left to discuss is how much a company is willing to pay to get you. Also, if you’re not desperate, you can remind yourself that it can take a day or two to finalize your paycheck. The person reporting that they have been hired may not be authorized to increase salary amounts. It’s okay to wait, when possible, to have your suggestion of a higher salary discussed with the people making salary decisions. In most cases, companies will issue a counter offer, after stating your inability to take on work at the company’s suggested rate.
There are some circumstances where a company will only offer a non-negotiable salary. In these cases, you may want to ask how long it would be before you would be considered for a raise and what the company’s standards are in giving raises. If you really need a job immediately, it might be better to take the salary offered than to hold out longer, as chances are you won’t be offered more.
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