As a hiring manager, I’ll ask how much are you expecting in terms of salary for the positions that we are hiring for.
This is standard practice and you will see this question in one form or another through the interview process
In some states in the United States, if you ask, I am required to provide you with a range, but for most companies, as of 2020, the salary range is kept hidden to candidates.
If you have not done a lot of research on the subject and the company, it is always best to avoid that question like the plague!
 
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How to avoid giving a salary?
The easiest way is to ask right away what is the range being offered for the position and location. Most hiring managers will have that information handy, or the ability to get it for you.
With a range, you can then decide as to whether you would like to continue with the process.
If pushed, you can try to delay giving the information. Depending on where in the process you are, you can say that you are not ready to talk about salary until you know more about the company.
Just be mindful that you won’t always get a range or have the ability to delay the conversation.
To be ready, let’s move to our research phase.
If I must provide a salary? researching salaries
As mentioned above, if possible, get the company to show their hand first.
but be prepared to still have to provide them with a number or at least a range for what you would be comfortable with.
Lucky for you, most salary information is out there so that you have a good idea of what you are getting into.
Sites such as Glassdoor, Ziprecruiter, Payscale, and LinkedIn are a great start for your initial investigation into a potential salary for your position.
Social media is another great place for information, spreadsheets are going around where individuals will post their current company, along with their salary information and location.
Knowing the market rate, or even the possible rates for your specific company, you are now ready to provide them with a number if pushed for.
Anchoring the desired salary
The theme so far has been to get the company to show their hand, this way you know what you are getting into.
When that is not possible, we want to utilize a strategy called “Anchoring” to our advantage.
The idea is simple, whatever number you provide will be used as the base of the negotiation later on.
For example, let’s assume that you mentioned 100,000 USD as your desired salary. As the hiring manager, I’ll base a possible offer starting with your 100,000 USD and moving either up or down from it depending on the salary I can pay.
A better strategy is to provide a range. The same anchoring concept applies, but you open yourself up to the possibility of negotiating up when the actual offer comes through.
With the salary range option, the lower number is the “anchor” the hiring manager will most likely use during his process, so make the lower number your desired salary
Negotiating a salary
You have done all of the above and are now given an official offer, usually with a deadline for a reply.
First, congratulations! both you and the company think you are a good match for each other.
Do not say yes just yet, since your initial offer will most likely be made via phone, video, or in person. Here is what you need to do to increase your chances of getting an even better offer.
- Thank them for the opportunity
- Say that you would like to review the opportunity with your loved ones – yes, this could be your pet or even your neighbor, the idea is to buy time.
- Go home and craft an email to be sent the next day asking for more
Sounds simple, right? it is simple but is not easy. Your feelings and your gut will constantly tell you to just accept the offer.
You made it through their process and they want y0u, why bother negotiating?
Well, the answer is simple as well, a higher initial salary means more money in your pocket now, a higher salary a year from now when you get a raise, a higher bonus, etc.
Even better, all it will cost you is getting over the fear of asking for more, so go ahead and send that email.
For the most part, as hiring managers, we have the flexibility to go up by a small percentage from the first number we give you. The worst that could happen is that we say no to your counteroffer.
So best of luck, avoid giving a number first, do your research, and always ask for more.
Follow up on the subject with a pair of incredible books
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