How Do You Handle the Salary Question

How Do You Handle the Salary QuestionThe Salary QuestionHow Do You Handle the Salary QuestionPenelope Trunk has a nice post this week on her Brazen Careerist blog on a difficult issue all job interviewees face Discussing your potential salary, should you take the job. Her basic message, which I agree with, is to stand your ground and avoid being the first to offer a figure. I cant help but agree, and offer the following additional techniques for handling this question from potential employers.Early in the interview process, interviewers have little knowledge of a candidates experience and talents. Candidates want to delay stating a salary number until the company has a strong interest in making an offer. Giving a salary number too early in the process can only hurt an applicants chances.So, here are some techniques for responding to the salary question.1) First, say you would rather not give them a specific number Second, communicate that youre interested in the position, and Third, tell them that all youd like them to do is make you the best offer they feel comfortable with. Putting it all together, it can sound like thisRegarding salary, Id rather not give you a specific number right now. Im very interested in this position, and I expect that youll make me the best offer youre comfortable with at the right time.2) Say that youre happy to discuss salary at a time when there is strong interest in your background. It could sound like thisId be happy to discuss my salary expectations after we have both decided that there is strong mutual interest in possibly hiring me.3) Ask them what the salary range is for the position. When they give you the salary range, you can say that your salary expectations are in line with the higher end of the range, assuming this is true.4) State the followingWhen considering a position, several factors are important to me. Salary is only one factor, but not the most important. More important factors include quality of the position, g rowth opportunities, quality of the people I work with, company culture, and location.5) If youre faced with a question such as, Whats your current salary?, answer this waySay, I am (was) paid well and in line with job market conditions. Communicate that youd be happy to discuss your specific salary later in the hiring process.State that you can also provide salary verification documentation.Say youre interested in the opportunity and youd like them to make the best offer theyre comfortable with.Putting it all together, itcan sound like thisInterviewerWhat is your current (most recent) salary?You Regarding my most recent salary, I was compensated very well and in line with job market conditions. Id welcome the chance to discuss my compensation later in the process when weve decided Im the right person for this opportunity. Id also welcome the chance to provide salary verification. When weve decided Im the right person for the job, Id like you to make the best offer youre comfortabl e with.Remember, as Penelope states in her post, the first person to give a number is at a disadvantage. You want to discuss salary only when the hiring manager is absolutely convinced the company cant live without you. It is at this point when you have negotiating leverage, but not until then.Craft a response that feels comfortable for you and practice saying it.