HOW DO I DISCUSS THE SUBJECT OF MONEY?

You'll undoubtedly be questioned about your present and anticipated compensation levels during the job interview. The following are the answers to the questions that follow:

Question: What are your current income levels?

Answer: “My compensation, including bonus, is in the high sixties. I am scheduled for an annual review next month, which should put me in the low seventies.”

Question: What is your salary expectation for this position?

Answer: “The chance to work here is the most crucial thing to me, not the salary. With that said, if we end up working together, I know you’ll make a reasonable offer.”

In the answer to the first question, If an interviewer ever asks for your current salary or what you made at your previous job, always give them a range instead of a specific dollar amount. This shows that you are confident in your abilities and worth without coming off as greedy. If they press for more information, then feel free to be precise about salary, bonus, benefits, etc.

In terms of the second topic, if the interviewer attempts to pinpoint your anticipated compensation, you should also suggest a range, as in, "I'd want something in the low- to mid-seventies." It may be difficult to get out of a fixed number later on, either because the amount you offer is lower than you really want to accept or because the employer considers it too high or low, and an offer never arrives. You may keep your choices open by using a range.

Don’t Come On Too Strong

The ideal time to discuss your salary is after you and the interviewer have both expressed interest in working together. If you initiate a discussion about salary and benefits too soon, you run the risk of giving the employer the impression that money is the most important reason for your job search.

Employers are more likely to offer a greater value if the employee has already demonstrated their skill and potential. Therefore, building a conversation on your skills and experience is best before negotiating for a higher salary. The principal objective during the first and second interviews is to explore the opportunity and your potential contribution relative to the goals of the department or organization. Focusing on the money only sidetracks the greater issue of whether you and the employer can be productive and happy working together. 

Once you know the job fits—and the employer sees your value—you’ll usually be able to agree on a fair price for your services.