Answering: What Are Your Salary Expectations?

This is the one question that many candidates really hate to answer. But let’s face it: at some point in the process of applying for a job, you may well be asked what your salary expectations are. When you are faced with a question such as this, or a blank box on an application form, it’s difficult to put a value on your expertise, skills and experience. Striking a balance between how much you want the job with your value as an employee can be a daunting prospect for many candidates. Deciding how to approach this question requires thought and a little planning. If you have applied for your ideal job, it may be tempting to just state the lowest figure you’d accept, to increase the likelihood of securing the position. This is not always a smart move though. Your expected salary can also be an indicator to your employer of how much value you believe you can add to the company.