What is expected hourly rate

If you select a number that's too low, your employer may eagerly accept the suggestion and pay you less than you're worth. If you quote a desired salary that's too high, you could risk losing the job opportunity. It's important to have a smart strategy for approaching the matter of your desired salary so you can quote a number that's likely to get you fair compensation for the job.

Follow these steps to figure out the best salary request for your desired job:. Perform online research to see what others are making with this job title. You will probably find a broad range depending on location, experience and education. This gives you a very loose basis of what you can list as your desired salary. The average salary for a job varies by location. If you're relocating for your new position, it's important to understand how much it will cost for you to maintain the same standard of living in a new city.

In some places, housing, gas, groceries and utilities are significantly cheaper. If this is the case, you may accept a salary that's lower than your previous job.

In other cases, you may find that the cost of living is notably higher in your new location. In this case, you will want to request a higher salary simply to maintain the same lifestyle.

If you want to increase the funds that are available after your standard living expenses, you need to request a salary that's even higher. Experience and education are two of the biggest determining factors when considering salary. If you're seeking an above-average salary, you should also have above-average skills and expertise. If you have a long history of working in a particular field, you can ask for a higher salary than if you're an entry-level employee.

If a job application asks for your desired salary, you may have to provide this information before the interview. Follow these steps to handle a request for your desired salary within the application process:. Don't provide your desired salary in your cover letter or on your resume unless specifically asked to do so.

It's best to withhold this information until you get a starting offer from the company so you don't price yourself too low. If the job posting asks that you include desired salary on your resume, you can satisfy the requirement without giving a concrete number by including a note that says, " Salary is negotiable and can be discussed during the interview.

Use the strategy outlined above to determine what an appropriate salary range is for your field, taking the local cost of living and your personal experience and knowledge into consideration. Related: Salary vs. Hourly Pay: What Are the Differences? Some online application forms include a checkbox that allows you to indicate whether your salary is negotiable.

Check this if you're given the option. If not, you may be able to state that the salary is negotiable at the end of the application if there's a place for notes. This could help you get further consideration from employers. Potential employers will often ask what your desired salary is in an interview. This is the best place to approach this question because you have the flexibility to discuss the topic fully in person. Follow these steps to address this query:.

If the hiring manager asks about your desired salary before you have a full grasp of the position, you can delay your response. Your first option for delaying the salary discussion is to leave it blank. The reasoning for this is because any number you choose to specify could limit your salary options or eliminate you from the running in case your answer was out of budget.

Check out how both scenarios could play out below. If your specified salary is too high… The hiring team may decide not to pursue your application. If your specified salary is too low… It may be harder for you to negotiate your compensation package later in the hiring process.

Not every application will allow a nonnumerical answer for this question. Use these tips for delaying the discussion during interviews so that you can secure a salary that matches your worth. When it comes to the dreaded salary question during an interview, the best strategy is to postpone the conversation, preferably until after you have a job offer. In theory this seems easy, but the pressure of a job interview can make it hard to think on your feet.

Prepare a few lines to respond with so that you can adeptly navigate away from this discussion during an interview. Try out one of the examples below:. Another way to stall the salary discussion is by asking questions. Feel free to divert the question by asking about the budget for the role. You can also inquire about particular job responsibilities that will inform how you determine your desired salary. What else can I answer to help you determine if the job is a good fit in terms of my background and skill set?

If pressed, or if you believe that you must provide a figure to proceed to the next stage in the hiring process, you can state a broad range rather than a specific desired salary. So before going on your interview, be prepared to state a range.

Research the rate of compensation for the role you are aiming to fill. You can do this by looking at job sites, industry newsletters, and salary surveys, or by using a salary calculator. In addition, research cost of living in the area. And state your desired range boldly. Then, immediately shift the conversation back to the skills and value you will bring to the role. Another effective way to avoid being pressed about salary expectations too early in the process is to sidestep the preliminary screening process entirely.

Whenever you see a position that interests you, check your network to see if you know anyone in the organization who can forward your resume directly to the hiring manager. Remember that your goal in the early stages of the hiring process is to sell yourself in the role. If you do this well enough you will be negotiating from a position of strength and your next employer should be willing to pay you what you are worth. Before you know the company wants to hire you, you have no leverage to negotiate with or make demands with.

So when employers ask about desired salary on applications and interviews, the best thing to do is to delay the discussion until they want to offer you the position.

Ask them questions about the job.