HR Trap Question --- What is your expected compensation?

HR Trap Question --- What is your expected compensation?

Don’t fall for it; learn how to negotiate your compensation. Here’s how –

1. Analyze & Understand Your True Worth

Conduct benchmarking. Research and get an understanding of how much people at your level with identical expertise & skills are earning in the market. Robust market understanding of one’s salary value is strength.

2. Never Skip the Salary Requirement

While filling job application forms, one should never leave the salary requirement blank. Generally, No response works against the job seeker. It appears the job seeker is ignoring what the employer has asked.

Recruiter may filter out such applications while narrowing down from the pool.

3. Defer the Salary Discussion

One can defer the discussion, by saying it depends on factors like benefits and other intangibles being offered by the company. Since knowing your magic number benefits the recruiter, chances are they’ll press you for it. Divert the discussion & defer it until after the employer has shown solid interest in you.

4. Offer a Broad Range, if Answering becomes absolutely necessary

When asked the question, a candidate should specify his or her own range - and that range should be such that its low end should be close to the high end of the employer's range.

Your earlier research on the company will guide you here. You may also ask the interviewer where they consider their salaries fit relative to their industry standard.

5. Key is to be Ambiguous

You can sound vague here. You may tell the company that you have no specific salary requirements but that your pay has been in the X to Y range in the past few years. Also you are open for negotiation with consideration to flexible.