Career Job Interview

How to Answer “What’s your current salary?” in an Interview

How to Answer “What's your current salary” in an Interview

At some point or the other, you may have been or may later be faced with the – How to Answer “What’s your current salary?” in an interview question. You may be asked your pay for the role you presently hold throughout the job application process.

A recruiter or a recruiting manager might say anything like this. Knowing How to Answer “What’s your current salary?” in an Interview might help you immensely when it comes to negotiating a job offer later on. It could even be a question on the employment application itself. Some job postings even state that this is a necessity, as in the following examples:

What’s your Current Salary?

The truth is that businesses will only offer you bigger pay if it is absolutely necessary for you to accept a job. Many applicants will accept anything that is at least equal to their present wage (provided they have another reason for leaving their current employment).

When it comes to negotiating a job offer, sharing your current income is unlikely to help you and almost certainly will work against you. So, if you’re asked about your present compensation, what can you do to defend yourself?

How to Answer “What’s your current salary?” in an Interview

Using the phrase “I’d rather not say” in response to this question How to Answer “What’s your current salary?” in an Interview might raise a few eyebrows. The employer may believe you’re trying to keep anything from them (which you are…), and they’ll be much more eager to have their inquiry answered. Alternatively, they may infer that your current pay is either extremely low or really high. We may not be able to give an explicit “what is your current salary best answer,” but you have numerous options for how to react effectively:

1.Call them out on their illegitimate inquiry

Before speaking with an interviewer on the phone, do your homework. Find out if this is a legal question in your area. You can answer by informing them of this if it isn’t. Of course, do it in a kind manner.

“From what I understand, that question cannot be lawfully asked of applicants in our nation.”

Your interviewer may be ashamed and attempt to defend himself, though he is unlikely to argue. It’s also unlikely that your response will have a negative impact on your application. After all, the hiring manager isn’t going to inform the rest of the staff that an applicant has been eliminated from consideration because of their response to an illegal question.

2.Tell them that money is only a minor part of what you care about

There are additional choices if the employer is allowed to inquire or if you are uncomfortable questioning the interviewer. You can tell them that pay is only one part of a compensation package that matters to you. Benefits, scheduling, time off, corporate culture, and other considerations can all influence whether or not you accept a job offer.

3.Make it clear that the question is difficult to answer

In a similar vein, you can explain to the interviewer why this is a difficult question to answer. Many physicians do not have a straightforward compensation that appropriately reflects their actual earnings. Performance-based incentives, bonuses, stock options, and other forms of compensation may be added to your base income.

4.Be open and honest about your earnings

None of the information in this post is intended to discourage you from disclosing your pay history if you choose to do so. You might be looking for a job for which you already have a salary range in mind. If your present wage corresponds to this, there is little risk in disclosing that information.

Alternatively, you may be considering declining a job offer if the pay is below a specific threshold. You can discuss your current pay with a recruiter to give them an idea of what you’re looking for. There will be fewer surprises on both ends when an offer is made in this manner.

Talking about the things you like to do outside the work you do, read more here.

What is Your Current Salary if Unemployed?

Either someone’s talents or experience are adequate for the salary offered, or they are insufficient. It is hardly important what they earned earlier. It could be if they are absolutely outstanding and offer a lot of value to the role, and would not move for less than x, but those are extremely unique and exceptional conditions that you wouldn’t need to address in an application form. This is another way to tackle the How to Answer “What’s your current salary?” in an Interview.

Some employers use it to try to get away with paying less; for example, if they have jobs advertised but haven’t specified a wage; they might utilize the previous salary/desired salary to pay someone less.

How To Answer Salary Expectations in Email

Dear, Mr. /Ms. [Surname],

Thank you for taking the time to chat with me about the [Name of Position] position at your organization [yesterday/today]. I appreciated our discussion and the chance to learn more about the role.

To answer your query, I’m looking for a job that pays between $70,000 and $75,000 a year. This is the price I believe this position is worth right now, and it is the amount I am comfortable with.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further inquiries. Thank you once more for your time, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]

[LinkedIn Profile of You]

[Your Mail Address]

[Your Phone Number]

What are those things you aim at or you are looking for in that new position?

How to Write Expected Salary in Resume

It’s never a smart idea to limit your earnings objectives to a single amount because it eliminates any possibility for bargaining!

It also puts you at a disadvantage because the company will almost certainly want to reduce your “minimum” offer even more.

Instead of presenting a single number and putting yourself in a disadvantageous position, mention a range of what you want to earn.

It’s never a good idea to set a wage range based on gut instinct, greed, or desperation because you can end up with unrealistic or absurd amounts.

Follow the three stages below to arrive at an acceptable earnings range for your cover letter in a more rigorous and scientific manner:

           Steps;

  • Research the average income for the position you’re applying for in that area (for example, around £25,000).
  • Determine a salary range of +/- 10% (e.g. £22,500 – £27,000) based on the average income of your findings (e.g. £25,000).
  • Adjust the salary range somewhat (for example, £22,500 – £27,000) based on your income goals and market value, giving some opportunity for negotiation and flexibility (see examples below).

Minimum Acceptable Salary on Application

This is a highly personal decision to make. You’re really attempting to figure out how much money you’ll need to quit your current position and take this job. You’d like to make more than this, but you’d be content with this wage, and you won’t take the job if the basic salary is less than this. Consider this for a long time since it is crucial. You should stay to this number unless you come across significant new information that requires you to change it.

Check: What should you put for the desired salary?

Tell me about a time you made a mistake. Yes mistake of any kind can be made. READ!

Conclusions

Always remember to demonstrate your worth when deciding on the appropriate wage for you and the task you accomplish. If you believe you are underpaid for your current position, don’t be hesitant to ask for a raise. Let the recruiting manager know that the salary you’ve chosen is based on your professional level, talents, and credentials, as determined by your study.

But be cautious: often people get carried away and state a price that is significantly more than the typical income. You run the danger of not being hired at all if you say a number that is too high.

Remember to be open to compromise, but never settle for something that appears to be ridiculous. With all the above, we hope you’ve been able to find solutions to How to Answer “What’s your current salary?” in an Interview.