How to answer the desired salary question
Understanding what desired salary is and what you should put on an application (or say in an interview) for your desired salary can feel complicated and confusing. But for most jobs—whether you're in the tech industry or you’re working at an hourly gig—answering this question the right way can help you get paid more than you if you answer the question poorly (and help you get paid fairly).
What is desired salary?
A desired salary typically refers to the base salary that you’re looking for as you apply to new jobs or when you’re asking for a promotion. Desired salary can sometimes include total compensation (bonuses, benefits, equity, etc.), but it usually only refers to the base salary that you desire to be paid for the job. Most often, this number is referenced in an annual format—the salary you want to be paid over the course of a calendar year.
When are you asked for desired salary?
Throughout your job application process, you may be asked for your desired salary several times. The first time is typically in the application. For tips on what to put for your desired salary, click here. The recruiter or hiring manager may also ask you for your desired salary in a phone call screening interview, during a more official interview, or after you’ve completed the interview process and the business is considering extending an offer to you.
Why do employers ask for your desired salary?
Employers ask about your desired salary for a variety of reasons, but the primary focus is to determine if your compensation requirements fit within their budget and compensation plan for the role. If your desired salary is too high and you include it on your application, you may be rejected before you make it to the interview stage simply because you are too expensive for the role.
To avoid this scenario, it’s critical that you answer the desired salary question with as much ambiguity as possible (our recommendation for salary questions is to always put it back on the employer and ask them to make you an offer—and then negotiate that number higher). Click here for 18 expert tips on salary negotiation.
What is the best answer for desired salary?
The best answer for desired salary is nothing. If possible, avoid offering a number that could be deemed too high or too low for the employer’s budget. Always suggest that you will review an offer for the job and that you are negotiable on compensation. For more tips on how to have salary conversations, click here.
What should you put for desired salary?
On an application, the best answer you can put for desired salary is to leave it blank. With a blank answer, you are communicating that you want to talk about salary during the interview process. This can help you avoid a situation where you are weeded out of the running for a role before you even have an opportunity to interview. If the application requires that you answer the question before you can submit it, write negotiable or 000 to fulfill the application’s requirement for an answer.
If you are asked for your desired salary verbally or in an email, the best course of action is to put the question back on the employer—let them know that you are interested in reviewing an offer for the job from them. In a situation where they press for an answer, you may need to offer up a salary number. In that case, follow the tips below.
3 tips on how to find and/or explain your desired salary
1 - Do your research.
Even though it’s best practice to not share a desired salary number in the application or interview process, it’s still important for you to understand what number you are looking for in an offer. To find the right number, you need to do your research. Most employees start this research on Glassdoor or other salary data sources. But these sites are riddled with inaccuracies and can’t offer a true look at what a fair salary is for your role. The best ways to get educated on what a fair salary for your role are include talking to your friends, understanding the job level, and getting clear on the company’s compensation philosophy.
2 - Include non-salary compensation.
While the desired salary question on a job application or in an interview typically references your base salary, you can better negotiate your salary if you’re flexible on your total compensation. This can include stock options, paid time off, retirement account funding, and other benefits (even a flexible work schedule could be a great area to negotiate and could be considered non-salary compensation). Understand what you want to see from a total-compensation number before you consider a base salary offer.
3 - Offer a range.
In the case where you need to offer a desired salary and you can’t push back to ask that the employer offer a number first, a good best practice is to offer a salary range. With your salary research and knowledge about what you want to see for non-salary compensation, consider suggesting a salary range that is 10 - 20% higher than the base salary you want to see in an offer. Because most employers will usually present an offer that is on the low end of the range, padding it with the extra 10 - 20% can ensure you get an offer that is closer to what you want to accept.
Need more resources? Check out these links:
How to negotiate your salary: the definitive guide
8 steps on how to accept a job offer
Can you lose a job offer for negotiating?
What to do before you accept a new job offer
Are you being paid fairly? Let's find out.
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