Salary Negotiations FAQs: Part I

Dr. Vanessa Ann Claus, a career coach and Senior Faculty Associate for CSU Global’s Human Resources Management programs, shared her expertise around the tricky subject of salary negotiations. (Missed the webinar? Watch it here!)

Dr. Claus ended her presentation with an engaging question and answer session that offered insight and advice to both those entering the job market and seasoned professionals who are switching careers. Wherever you fall in that spectrum, there are plenty of takeaways from Part I of the webinar’s FAQs.

How should I answer when an employer asks for my salary requirements?

This is a hard question to answer because you don’t want to put out a number that is either too low or too high. If a recruiter asks, “What do you expect for this position?” you can come back with a follow-up question such as “What’s the salary range?” If they tell you they can’t share that information, do some research! Your response can be, “Based upon industry average for this position and location, this is what I think is fair.” Of course, every situation is different but ultimately you should try to come back with questions and see what information you can get out of human resources as the first step.

What do you say if an employer asks what your current salary is during the interview process? Would you give an actual number, would you give a range, or would you ask additional questions?

In that case, I would say “I don’t feel comfortable disclosing that.” This question is usually asked because companies want to compensate you for what they can get, not what you deserve. Typically what they will do with that information is to put the salary only a little higher than what you were previously making to get you to accept the offer. If you’re leaving a company because you felt you weren’t paid enough, you’d be boxing yourself into a range that is only a tiny bit higher. If they tell you they need that information, ask yourself ‘why?’ What will they do with this information? Why do they need it? There is a reason many lawmakers are fighting to get rid of that question on applications.

At what point in the interview process should I ask for the salary range if they don’t post it? 

From a strategic standpoint, if the company doesn’t post it and you are interested in the position, don’t bring it up until the interview. However, if you’re in a position where you need to know that information before you dedicate your time to interviewing, then ask. Hopefully, the recruiter will understand, and I think a lot more recruiters realize the practicality of the question. It goes back to the question: If you can’t get a straight answer about a salary or even a salary range, is that the company you want to work for? 

For jobs in the public sector where the salary is set in advance, can you still negotiate?

When salary numbers are presented upfront, there tends to be a reason why. Typically, there is little to no wiggle room and not much leverage. It doesn’t hurt to ask in case there is a small amount of wiggle room, but be prepared to not be given an ideal answer. 

If you’re a current CSU Global student or alum, our Career Navigation Services are here to help you land the job you’ve been working toward. Whether you want to move up in your current field or break into a new industry entirely, CSU Global is here for you, with services ranging from career coaching, resume help, and interview preparation.