Asked salary expectations before interview - how to respond?

[cowskeepingmeupatnight]

I have been invited for interview for a mid-level role with a UK organisation that operates internationally. The role is open to people from other countries where the organisation have national offices.

I received an email inviting me to interview and asking me for my salary expectations, on the basis that the remuneration is different for each country so they can advise on the band amounts for each country.

How should I respond? Is it wise to lay my cards on the table at this stage? In case it has a bearing, I would need to start towards the top of the pay band for it to be a worthwhile career move for me.

I'd be very clear about your salary expectations. That said, don't go mad! But make it clear what you should, legitimately, expect to be paid.

(And don't do what a lot of us women do and immediately downgrade expectations - be realistic as well as optimistic/realistic)

@BIWI Thanks for the advice. So do you think I should give a specific figure? Or just say I’d be looking to negotiate at the upper end of the band, which I understand is set between X and X in a UK context?

I can't answer that! It's up to you - do you have an idea of what you should, realistically, expect? Do you know what the bands are for your country, and how you might/should fit into that?

Just don't undersell yourself.

I'd go in with a figure, work out what you would move for and add a chunk on-so if they try and negotiate you down you still end up with something that works for you

Ask what the banding is for the uk. Then if they give a range go in at the top end of it.

If you’re not open to a lower salary then yes you should tell them your expectations. If you wouldn’t accept the job any lower then tell them your expectations, you have nothing to lose.

I'd be clear as you don't want to go through a process and find they have no intention of offering you what you're expecting.
If, for example, you're currently in a job and it's got good transferable skills and you can do say 80% of what is on the job description then I'd be suggesting you plant yourself part way up the salary scale. If you've been doing the job years and know it inside and out, know 95% of the job description then go a bit higher
Also have they asked your current salary?
Don't sell yourself short but also don't be over the tip.
Tick off all the things they're asking for in the job description and slot yourself in the salary range. You then can justify when they ask why you said you were worth that much salary - eg I can offer my experience and 3 years background of doing XYZ on how you've really thought it through

Don't base it on your current salary.

Do you know what your target number is?

Whatever the top end is. I do salary negotiations and men ask for the top and more every time regardless of their competence.

Thanks everyone. I hit all of the essential and desirable criteria and it’s a niche role. There might be someone else who can say the same, as they are fishing in a global talent pool, but if they do offer me the job then clearly I’m the best fit.

They haven’t asked my current salary, which is about a third of the way into their band. Pension is similar to my current one but 8 fewer leave days a year (32 not 40, so still generous).

I think I’m going to make like a man here and state the very top of the band. They could negotiate me down by an incremental or two if they want room for growth, but lower than that and it would be a no from me.

Thanks for helping me think it though.

O would ask what the band range was for that area of work. Ask them what the skoll set difference between the top and bottom of the range is and pitch from there.
You don't want to undersell yourself.

Look at the market rate for the job and location and package and what you actually want

Then add on 5k extra. That 5 is your negotiation money to haggle with