During interviews, the question of how much you expect to earn from a particular position always comes up and this is what raises eyebrows. This question of how much you are expecting to earn can come as a tricky one, so before you go ahead answering such question you should be able to understand the do’s and don’ts

Generally, quoting your expected salary can ease when you have several elements to base your number on. Some candidates will throw around figures which are either too high or too low, an act which could easily weaken their possibility of acquiring that covetous position.

Let the following points guide you in your negotiating strategy;

Current Salary
Your existing salary will determine how much you add to the quoted amount, a figure which the company is willing to part with. Changing jobs means one wants higher pay, hence the need for sound salary negotiations.

Try asking for more than you want

Negotiations involve some back-and-forth—not simple a yes or no. So feel free to ask for more than you want. This will leave you with some room to ‘concede’ to what you actually want.”

Don’t be the first to share a number

The art of salary negotiation is to wait for the employer to make their offer. Unless the employer asks what your expected salary is, don’t provide a number until requested. The key is to be patient and wait for the employer to present what they think is a suitable salary for your experience and skills

Additional Incentives That Come With The Position
Jobs that come with many perks tend to have ‘fixed’ salaries which means the possibility of getting additional allowances to the stated one is close to zero. It’s advisable to ask the employer to clarify any benefits (medical cover, company resources like vehicles, training) that accompany the job before discussing the salary.

Gather Information

When it comes to pay negotiations, many interviewees fail to settle on a figure and thus get nowhere. The reason why they fail is they don’t gather enough information either about their own skills, or about their potential employer. You have to know what the company has been paying for the position you have applied for. Even if you don’t, at least know what the competitors are paying for the slot.