What to do when they ask my salary expectation at first interview.....

[KookyNotOoky]

So I'm noticing more and more that employers are not including a salary on their job ads, and are then asking for me to provide my expected figure at the initial interview stage.

Obviously I'm worried that my figure will be too high (and therefore no 2nd interview) or too low (and therefore if hired that I'll end up getting ripped off). This situation actually happened when I accidentally applied for the same job twice via two different agencies - one of them gave me an estimated salary which was £30K more than I'd offered.

Therefore I've been trying to avoid answering this by saying we can dicuss later in the process, what sort of ballpark are you thinking of etc. but usually they insist that I provide a number.

Any suggestions of how should I handle this going forward?

I tend to do some general research to get a ball point figure for what competitors/other companies offer. Then go above that. But ultimately know your worth.

I would be grateful if you could first please share the salary banding that has been agreed for this role.

If you get a no - state that it doesn't feel transparent and find it unusual.

In the past I have declined to provide a number at that early stage in the process because I would want to consider the whole benefits package first (pension, life assurance etc.). In my sector, salaries and benefits can vary hugely so this is a relevant consideration for my salary expectations.

You could also ask for the salary banding for the role.

If you have a ballpark figure you did want to mention, it's better to provide a salary range (rather than a figure) which you can say will depend on the final offer / package.

I've also spoken to recruiters before for a general conversation about the market, and they are usually happy to provide salary benchmarking figures based on the roles they have placed, in case you need a source of information.

thanks for the advice. Think I'll just offer a ridiculously broad range now (e.g. £30-80) and refuse to go any further.
Honestly modern employers are complete p-takers. Working hard on boosting my side business so I can stop dealing with them altogether.

I usually tell them what I am on, that I am due to get an annual salary increase in the next x months, and that I have a good pension. Then I say that I would want at least 10% increase on that. This is for roles that are similar level to what I am currently doing.

Say that you are currently interviewing for roles in the range... then give the range that you would like to earn. Then also say that of course you will take the total benefit package into account when making a decision if you are successful in your application for the role .

Because obviously you need to think about the cost of the other things that are or are not included. Eg level of employer contribution to you pension, number of days off, flexible working, health insurance, death in service cover etc.

I don't apply for roles that don't give a pay band. I always think companies like this after after the best person they can get for the cheapest price. Not a company I want to work for.

This frustrates me so much. I think I annoyed a LinkedIn recruiter the other day because he DM'd me the usual "we have a really exciting opportunity we think your skillset meets" etc and a link to the job spec, and I just responded thank you but I don't engage with job adverts/approaches that don't give a salary range, and he didn't reply. They ALWAYS reply to get you on their books or tell you about this "other role" that just happens to be coming up in a few days of you "want to chat".

So yeah, feel free to use that line when rebuffing!

Personally I wouldn't tell them my salary expectation until they told me what their budget was for the role, leaves too much room for them to offer you less (if your expectation turns out to be lower than their budget)

Always give a range

• Make the bottom number a little higher than the actual least you would be willing to take
• Make the top number your “ideal world” slightly greedy aspiration
• Definitely use the “looking at the whole package” to justify keeping it vague
• Don’t reveal what you are currently on unless it is towards the higher end of your range

I’d say something like
”It would obviously depend on the whole package, but I am looking for something like £Xk to £Yk”

If you are worried your bottom figure may be too high, add:
“I’m can be a bit flexible with that for the right opportunity”

If you are worried your top figure may be too low, add:
“This role sounds like it may come with significant additional responsibilities, and I’d expect any offer to take that into account” OR “I’m looking at a few different opportunities right now, and some of them are offering salaries of up to £Z”

In a case like yours where you are looking at a really big range and aren’t sure what’s realistic I’d definitely push them to state a band first. Maybe go with:

“I’m comparing a few different roles right now and am keen to understand what different companies and roles might offer. What is a realistic salary band for this kind of role here?”

other lines that can be useful if they push to know your current salary:
“I don’t believe my current salary accurately reflects my skills and abilities. I’m keen to understand what other companies might be willing to offer.”

Even if the question is “what is your current salary” always reply by stating your expectations ( “I’m looking for £X” ) NOT what you currently make. unless your current salary works in your favour.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

Definitely agree- please don’t feel you should state your current salary. It usually leads to an incremental raise at best and studies have shown it contributes to the gender pay gap.
If I were PM, we’d have salaries on ads as mandatory in law. Transparency is vital. Also, not at least giving a range slashes your potential pool of applicants. Lots of people won’t apply. Don’t get me started on ‘competitive salary’!

If it's not in the job ad I would usually ring up and ask what the salary band is before applying, and then come in towards the top end of that if I was experienced or lower if I wanted to be in with a shot and needed the experience.

If it's too late to do that, research similar jobs in local area and come in towards the high middle to top end, saying that it would vary depending on the whole package.

Just to add not giving a salary band is like advertising the number of annual leave days as 'great' when it is the same number as expected under the law.