How to answer ‘what is your salary expectation’

[Liverpoolgirl50]

I work as an Exec Assistant to a deputy CEO, and have done for 7+ years, I earn £40k. A job has come up as an Exec Assistant to a CEO (different sector), paying up to £80k dependent on experience.

I’ve read the jd/person specification and whilst it’s a step up in terms of responsibility, I’m familiar with it all and think I could be in with a shot.

They are asking what my salary expectation is.. obviously the top bracket is double what I’m on now and feels ludicrous to ask for, so where do I go in at?

“Somewhere in the region of the advertised salary would be acceptable”

You put it back on them by asking what is the range of salary for the position

Look for similar jobs in linked in and indeed and ask for similar. They don't know what you're on so don't undersell yourself.

Ask for £75k. They're prepared to pay 80. They wont meet 75 but it will still be much better than you're on now, and they don't know what you're on now.

Ask for £75k and hold your ground, they have the budget - and ask what the pay review system is once in post.

Dont undersell yourself, they have the budget, what you’ve been paid previously is irrelevant, this is the level they value your experience at.

Why wouldn’t they match £75k when they’ve openly advertised over that salary?

Where is the job based? If London then 65-90 is market so go with it. Where is your lower paid job based!

FYI, I have just landed a job more than double my salary. I could do everything (and more) on the job spec. I didn't give them my current salary on the application (it was asked, I left it blank).

Further, after I was offered the post at the bottom of their pay range and negotiated to the ceiling value of the pay scale offered. They wanted me and I knew they did.

Different starting levrl to you, but to put some numbers on it:

• currently on 22K
• offered 40.5K (on a 40.5-44.5K range)
• I said I was expecting 44.5K because of xyz
• They immediately offered me 44.5K

So my advise is, aim high and expect high. Once they offered, know that you are first choice and so they want to get you.

I meant, most companies will do as much as possible to avoid using their whole headcount budget, and will likely come back with a counteroffer

Thanks everyone - that’s really helpful. I currently work on the south coast and the job is more towards London and for a large well known company, so that is perhaps why it’s such a big jump.

I’ll give it a shot!

Since they have said up to 80k and you have relevant experience then indicate a figure around that. Never undersell yourself.

Agree with advice to ask for £75k

I was in a job making £45k I had just got a surprise pay bump to 50k when interviewing for another job.
i dodged the salary question and just said I had just received an unexpected pay rise and wasn’t prepared to move without an increase and they offered me £70k

I was beyond delighted… 🤩

hope you get the job that is a superb increase

I'm a London EA to CEO on £50k and feel pretty underpaid, but stay with it for various reasons and am going to ask for a big rise this year.

I'd balk at an £80k job though as they will want your blood - available at all times including evenings and weekends, probably travel. If you're up for that though, then go for it!