Many employers will want to know what the employee thinks about the salary to be paid for the job the employee does in case he gets hired. This does not mean that the employer does not have an idea of what the salary should be in his mind. There are many reasons why an employer may want to know what the job applicant thinks about salaries. It may be a trap or it may be a way of asking for suggestion. The employer never tells his intention or purpose and this is why applicants need to be careful when they answer desired salary question.
In this write-up, we will enlighten you about how to answer this question, as well as, hint you on other important things to bear in mind that can improve your chance at getting that job.
How to avoid traps
As hinted earlier, the employer may be looking for a way to trap the job applicants via what they write when they answer desired salary question. One of the best ways to avoid being caught in any trap is to be ambiguous about the answer. Instead of providing a specific desired salary, you can simply use short phrases to answer the question. Some of the short phrases you can use are highlighted below:
- Entry Level
- Open for discussion
- Negotiable, etc
While these answers may put you at the mercy of the employer, they can also save you from the risk of being eliminated at the early stage of the job interview.
Such an answer never gives a clear picture of what you want as a salary. Such answers can never be considered by the employer as an omission or a misrepresentation since the statement is truthful.
Aside from the short phrases highlighted above, you can also use a numerical range when providing answers to the question about salary. Your worth is determined by your certificates and experience. You can use this to also determine the range to provide when answering the salary question. You should avoid under-pricing yourself as this can give the employer a poor impression about you.
Timing your arrival for the interview
How late is too late when attending a job interview? It is advisable to arrive at the venue early as this will allow you to settle down adequately before the interview begins. In fact, arriving early is considered as a sign that you are a responsible person. Some employers take note of the time each of the applicants arrives and this can be used to determine which of them can be trusted for the job. The employer almost always indicates the interview timing and you are expected to have arrived at the venue up to 30 minutes before the interview begins.
