How to Ask About Salary During the Interview Process

So, you've found a job that you're interested in and you're ready to apply. But there's one small problem—the job listing doesn't include any information about salary. This can be frustrating and make it difficult to know whether or not the position is even worth apply for.

After all, if the salary is too low, you may not be able to afford to take the job even if you're offered it.?

Fortunately, there are a few tactful ways that you can go about asking about salary without seeming pushy or entitled. This post will give you some tips on how to ask about salary during the interview process so that you can make sure you're getting paid what you're worth.?

1. Do your research ahead of time.

Before you start applying for jobs, take some time to research average salaries for positions similar to the one you're interested in.

This will give you a good idea of what to expect in terms of compensation and will help ensure that you don't unwittingly lowball yourself during the negotiation process.?

2. Wait for the employer to bring it up first.?

If possible, try to wait for the employer to mention salary first. This shows that you're not overly fixated on money and helps demonstrate that you're more interested in the position itself than how much it pays.

Of course, this isn't always possible or practical—if the employer never brings up salary, you may need to bring it up yourself in order to avoid an awkward situation later on down the line.?

3. Ask about salary ranges during the initial phone screen.?

If you're invited to participate in a phone screen with a recruiter or hiring manager, this is a perfect opportunity to ask about salary ranges for the position.

Be direct but polite in your question, and be prepared to justify why you believe you deserve to be paid at the high end of the range based on your qualifications and experience.?

4. Bring it up during the in-person interview—towards the end (of the interview).?

If possible, try to wait until towards the end of the in-person interview before bringing up salary ranges—this shows that you're focused on getting to know more about the position and company culture before getting bogged down in nitty-gritty details like pay rates.

However, if salary hasn't been discussed by this point, it's probably best to bring it up so that both parties are on the same page going forward.?

5. Have a salary range in mind—and be prepared to negotiate.?

Before entering into any discussion about salary, it's important that you have a firm number (or range of numbers) in mind that represents what you believe your work is worth.

It's also important to be prepared to negotiate—try not comply if the employer offers you a lower number than what you were hoping for without at least attempting to counteroffer with a higher number of your own first.??????????????????????????????????

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A career is a long-term commitment, and finding a job that's both personally and financially fulfilling can be tough—but it's definitely worth taking the time to find a position that's right for you rather than settling for something that doesn't quite fit.

I hope these tips have helped give some guidance on how best to approach asking about salaries during different stages of the interview process so that you can find a job that meets all of your needs!