Learn how to communicate your salary expectations clearly, respectfully, and strategically in any job interview or negotiation.

One thing I find helpful when highlighting value and potential impact is to utilize your own outstanding data. Don't be afraid to state your case. All key accomplishments should be backed up with your impressive metrics. If your numbers are good, and you hit it out of the park with a strong interview, you're on your way to pulling in a competitive offer. Nothing drives up a salary more than a company's desire to hire you!

What are some effective ways to communicate your salary expectations?

Communicating your salary expectations is a crucial part of any salary negotiation. It can help you avoid wasting time on lowball offers, demonstrate your value and confidence, and set the stage for a win-win outcome. However, it can also be tricky to do it effectively, without sounding too greedy or too desperate. Here are some tips on how to communicate your salary expectations in a clear, respectful, and strategic way.

1 Do your research

Before you enter any salary negotiation, you should have a realistic and reasonable range of what you are worth in the market. You can use online tools, industry reports, or personal contacts to gather information on the average pay for your role, skills, and experience. You should also consider the size, location, and culture of the employer, as well as the demand and supply of your profession. Having a well-informed salary range will help you avoid asking for too much or too little, and give you more credibility and leverage in the negotiation.

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2 Be flexible and open

While you should have a salary range in mind, you should also be willing to adjust and negotiate based on the employer's offer and situation. You don't want to come across as rigid or unrealistic, and you want to show that you are interested in the job and the company, not just the money. Therefore, you should avoid giving a single number or a fixed bottom line, and instead use phrases like "I'm looking for something in the ballpark of...", "I'm open to discussing the details...", or "I'm flexible depending on the total compensation package...". This way, you can signal your expectations without closing the door to further dialogue.

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Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier, Ed.D, DBA, CFRE, CAP, ACNP

AFP's Outstanding Young Fundraising Professional | ALPFA Latina to Watch | National Latino Leader | NBJ Woman of Influence | Nashville Post In Charge: Convener | NBJ 40 Under 40 | Top 50 Under 50 Executive Leaders
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Never be the first one to throw out a number. If their salary range is $100K-$120K, but they get you to throw out the first number, and you throw out $80K, you leave a lot of money on the table. It is always best to ask them what they have budgeted for the role.

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3 Highlight your value and impact

Another way to communicate your salary expectations effectively is to link them to your value and impact as a potential employee. You should showcase your skills, achievements, and contributions that are relevant to the job and the employer's goals, and explain how they justify your desired pay. You should also emphasize your enthusiasm and fit for the role, and how you can help the employer solve their problems or challenges. By doing this, you can demonstrate that you are not just asking for money, but offering value and solutions in return.

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Lisa Chubinsky, CPCC, CTS, CPC

Award-Winning Certified Career Coach and Executive Resume Writer▪️Professionalism and Communications Workshop Leader▪️Keynote Speaker▪️Top 1% Viewed LinkedIn Profiles 🚀
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One thing I find helpful when highlighting value and potential impact is to utilize your own outstanding data. Don't be afraid to state your case. All key accomplishments should be backed up with your impressive metrics. If your numbers are good, and you hit it out of the park with a strong interview, you're on your way to pulling in a competitive offer. Nothing drives up a salary more than a company's desire to hire you!

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Neil Crumpton

Senior Director @ Conagra Brands | Creating & Delivering Talent Acquisition Strategies
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Great advice, but recommend you save this conversation until you have an offer and feel a need to negotiate - you'll have to justify why you deserve more at this critical stage and value & impact should drive that conversation.

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4 Know when and how to say it

Timing and delivery are also important factors in communicating your salary expectations. You don't want to bring it up too early or too late in the hiring process, and you don't want to sound too aggressive or too passive. Generally, it's best to wait until the employer asks you about your salary expectations, or until you have a clear indication that they are interested in hiring you. However, if they don't ask you, you can also initiate the conversation politely and confidently, preferably after you have established rapport and trust with them. You can use email, phone, or face-to-face communication, depending on the situation and your preference, but make sure to be clear, concise, and respectful in your tone and wording.

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5 Consider the whole package

Finally, when communicating your salary expectations, you should not focus only on the base salary, but also on the whole compensation package, including benefits, bonuses, incentives, and perks. Sometimes, the employer may not be able to meet your salary expectations, but they may be able to offer you other forms of compensation that are valuable or appealing to you. For example, you may be able to negotiate for more vacation time, flexible hours, stock options, or professional development opportunities. Therefore, you should be prepared to discuss and evaluate the whole package, and weigh the pros and cons of different options.

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Neil Crumpton

Senior Director @ Conagra Brands | Creating & Delivering Talent Acquisition Strategies
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I would agree - focus on the whole package. While a base salary will pay the bills, the other elements can be critical: - target bonus: ask what the actual bonus payout is (don't get sucked in by a high "target" number that may have never actually actually paid out) -health insurance: what is the monthly cost to you (friend got an offer and the health insurance premium for her family was $1500 per month!) - health insurance: understand the annual deductible (how much you will pay out-of-pocket) - 401(k) - company matches can add huge value - extra perks: pre-tax commuter benefits, gym discounts/rebates, company-funded HSA contributions, etc. all have monetary value! These can all make a big difference - either positive or negative!

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are some effective ways to communicate your salary expectations?

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2

3

4

5

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1 Do your research

2 Be flexible and open

3 Highlight your value and impact

4 Know when and how to say it

5 Consider the whole package

6 Here’s what else to consider

Salary Negotiations

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What are some effective ways to communicate your salary expectations?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Do your research

2 Be flexible and open

3 Highlight your value and impact

4 Know when and how to say it

5 Consider the whole package

6 Here’s what else to consider

Salary Negotiations

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