Let's talk about a topic that can make even the most confident job seekers break into a cold sweat: the salary requirement question in a job interview. It's a tricky one, and many of us dread it, but fear not, because a career expert has some insightful advice that might just change the game.
First, let's acknowledge that job interviews are already a minefield of potentially tricky questions. From the infamous 'what's your greatest weakness?' to the more subtle inquiries, it's easy to feel like you're walking into a trap. And the salary question? Well, that's a doozy. But here's where it gets interesting...
Anna Papalia, a career expert, interview coach, and author of the upcoming book 'Interviewology: The New Science of Interviewing,' has a unique take on this common interview hurdle. She believes there's a simple yet counterintuitive strategy to navigate this question with confidence and ensure you're in control of the negotiation.
Papalia's advice is straightforward: don't answer the salary question directly, and definitely don't give them a number. Instead, she suggests turning the question back on the interviewer. When they ask, 'What are your salary expectations?' respond with, 'What is the range of the position? What is the position paying?'
This approach, according to Papalia, ensures you don't undersell yourself. By revealing your current or desired salary, you might inadvertently limit your earning potential. As she explains, 'They may be paying 60 to 90, and you just shot yourself in the foot by telling them that you would take the lowest end of the range.'
But here's the catch: you're unlikely to get a direct answer. Interviewers will typically provide a range, as they know not to give a single number, leaving room for further negotiation. So, when they give you a range, Papalia advises, 'You would say you obviously want top of the range.'
However, some interviewers might push back, insisting they need to know your salary requirement to move forward. In these cases, Papalia recommends not taking the bait and maintaining your position. You could respond with something like, 'I need to know the range before we move forward' or 'I'm sure your range will be something I'd be amenable to.'
Papalia also emphasizes the importance of not bringing up the salary question in a first job interview. She compares interviewing to dating, suggesting that discussing money too early is akin to asking about marriage on a first date. It's a matter of pacing and strategy.
Early interviews, she says, are about gauging the fit between you, the job, the company, and the team. By holding off on the salary conversation, you give yourself more time to prepare and practice your negotiation strategy. After all, job interviewing is a game, and like any game, it's about maintaining the upper hand and employing the right tactics.
So, the next time you're faced with the salary requirement question, remember Papalia's advice and approach it with confidence and strategy. It might just be the key to securing the salary you deserve.
