Community Perspectives: When applying, how do you typically answer the salary question without aiming too low or locking yourself out of negotation?
In-house legal professionals discuss how they approach salary during the interviewing process.
(Author) Associate
I’ve been applying to a lot of places recently that ask for salary requirements. I don’t want to aim to0 low and be locked into a number where there’s no room for negotiation, but I also don’t want to aim too high and disqualify myself. - How do you all typically answer this question? Is “flexible” a good option?
General Counsel Responses:
I’ve always just told places what I expect within a range. If it rules me out, great, because I wouldn’t have accepted less.
Even if you lowball yourself, you can try to up it after receiving an offer. “Now that I’ve learned more about what the position entails, I think x amount is more appropriate.”
I always counter with 10-20% more, even when the offer matches or exceeds my expectations. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
Counsel Responses:
If the question is optional, don’t answer. If it’s not tied to a number, you can use words - “open to a range of compensation packages depending on the opportunity”, if it’s a number put 0 or 1. As a recruiter I completely understand that it means a conversation will need to be had regarding compensation, and it might now fall on me to reveal my clients budget, salary band or expectations I have based on market research or other candidates. Early on, it’s easier to dismiss a candidate for any reason, but once a hiring manager is interested or explicitly wants to hire someone then the leverage for compensation negotiation has switched to the candidates favor. Now all of that being said; if there is a number that will make you happy and if an offer is below that, (assuming you want to stay where you are) and you’re uncomfortable negotiating, then yes, say your number. But you should note: if their budget is higher, you may very well be locked into that number you gave and miss out on money.
Unless it requires a number, I put something like “Competitive with market”.
Depending on how you interview, they may offer near the top of your range even if they don’t offer your max. I gave a $160-180k range when interviewing, where their planned range apparently capped at $150k (and I’ve learned they’ve since hired someone else at or below $150k). They offered at $175k with a solid bonus. I thought I interviewed well, but I didn’t realize I did that well. Give them the range you (realistically) desire, then crush your interviews. You’ll either get the offer you want or get more experience for the next round.
If I don't know enough about the role yet during the interview process (and I’m sure you want to keep some balance between different team members and thus already have a figure in mind), I’ll ask them to share their budget instead of giving my expectations.
The problem with giving expectations is sometimes the budget is more than the max expectations you have. My current position pays more than what I would have dreamed asking for! When I dodged their question and asked for the budget, and they gave it, I was over the moon! I did not expect that 🤣.
The issue is that you probably won’t know if you lowballed yourself because they’ll never tell you what they were actually willing to pay.
Also you’ve said you’re willing to accept X as a salary. If you ask for X+10 later on, they can play hardball and stick with X because they know you’re likely to accept it and X is better than where you are now or you wouldn’t have said it.
Also, I would put “negotiable” over flexible. Sounds less desperate to me
I typically immediately turn around and ask what their salary range is. Also, please keep in mind that depending on where you live, or the company is located, they must disclose a range to you first!
Are there any places besides Colorado that currently require budget disclosures? I know it’s been proposed legislation in other areas (NYC for example) where it’s coming into effect later.
Attorney and Associate Responses:
Isn’t the problem with the range that they go for the lowest number? Like why offer $200K instead of $175k, if their range is $175-$200K? When I thought about this recently, I put around $10k more than the top salary range mentioned.
My trouble is finding an effective way to dodge the question (and I call myself a lawyer…?). How did you dodge it to give yourself the opening to put it back on them?
In-house? Be a part of the conversation on Fishbowl (anonymous).
(Author) Associate
I’ve been applying to a lot of places recently that ask for salary requirements. I don’t want to aim to0 low and be locked into a number where there’s no room for negotiation, but I also don’t want to aim too high and disqualify myself. - How do you all typically answer this question? Is “flexible” a good option?
General Counsel Responses:
I’ve always just told places what I expect within a range. If it rules me out, great, because I wouldn’t have accepted less.
Even if you lowball yourself, you can try to up it after receiving an offer. “Now that I’ve learned more about what the position entails, I think x amount is more appropriate.”
I always counter with 10-20% more, even when the offer matches or exceeds my expectations. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
Counsel Responses:
If the question is optional, don’t answer. If it’s not tied to a number, you can use words - “open to a range of compensation packages depending on the opportunity”, if it’s a number put 0 or 1. As a recruiter I completely understand that it means a conversation will need to be had regarding compensation, and it might now fall on me to reveal my clients budget, salary band or expectations I have based on market research or other candidates. Early on, it’s easier to dismiss a candidate for any reason, but once a hiring manager is interested or explicitly wants to hire someone then the leverage for compensation negotiation has switched to the candidates favor. Now all of that being said; if there is a number that will make you happy and if an offer is below that, (assuming you want to stay where you are) and you’re uncomfortable negotiating, then yes, say your number. But you should note: if their budget is higher, you may very well be locked into that number you gave and miss out on money.
Unless it requires a number, I put something like “Competitive with market”.
Depending on how you interview, they may offer near the top of your range even if they don’t offer your max. I gave a $160-180k range when interviewing, where their planned range apparently capped at $150k (and I’ve learned they’ve since hired someone else at or below $150k). They offered at $175k with a solid bonus. I thought I interviewed well, but I didn’t realize I did that well. Give them the range you (realistically) desire, then crush your interviews. You’ll either get the offer you want or get more experience for the next round.
If I don't know enough about the role yet during the interview process (and I’m sure you want to keep some balance between different team members and thus already have a figure in mind), I’ll ask them to share their budget instead of giving my expectations.
The problem with giving expectations is sometimes the budget is more than the max expectations you have. My current position pays more than what I would have dreamed asking for! When I dodged their question and asked for the budget, and they gave it, I was over the moon! I did not expect that 🤣.
https://fearlesssalarynegotiation.com/salary-expectations-interview-question/
The issue is that you probably won’t know if you lowballed yourself because they’ll never tell you what they were actually willing to pay.
Also you’ve said you’re willing to accept X as a salary. If you ask for X+10 later on, they can play hardball and stick with X because they know you’re likely to accept it and X is better than where you are now or you wouldn’t have said it.
Also, I would put “negotiable” over flexible. Sounds less desperate to me
I typically immediately turn around and ask what their salary range is. Also, please keep in mind that depending on where you live, or the company is located, they must disclose a range to you first!
Are there any places besides Colorado that currently require budget disclosures? I know it’s been proposed legislation in other areas (NYC for example) where it’s coming into effect later.
Attorney and Associate Responses:
Isn’t the problem with the range that they go for the lowest number? Like why offer $200K instead of $175k, if their range is $175-$200K? When I thought about this recently, I put around $10k more than the top salary range mentioned.
My trouble is finding an effective way to dodge the question (and I call myself a lawyer…?). How did you dodge it to give yourself the opening to put it back on them?