Tough Interview Questions
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Question 30 of 30
How much do you think this job should pay?
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Example Answer
Admin
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Teacher
Community Answers
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
This question is merely another way for the interviewer to ask about your desired pay for this role. Be honest about what you are hoping to make, but you should also avoid asking for too little, or for too much. Using an online salary calculating tool, like the ones from Glassdoor or Indeed, will help you to determine the average ask for your position, years of experience, and even location. You can also use your current salary as part of the basis for your ask.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I am currently earning 15/hour and am up for a raise to 16/hour in the next couple of months. My ideal salary is 17-19/hour plus health benefits, which I believe is a fair ask for this role."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I am newer to my career, so I performed some research on the topic, hoping to gain an understanding of the average pay for a receptionist in this area. The ranges I saw were 14-18/hour depending on experience. Do you have an amount in mind for this position?"
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"Managers in this industry, with my level of experience, range from 80,000-120,000 per year. I am currently earning in the upper scope of that. In my next position, I would like to see a fair increase in my pay but am also more interested in discussing additional perks such as health and dental benefits, vacation time, and more."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I have worked as a freelancer for a few years, so it is challenging for me to determine how much is average pay for this type of role. I have heard a range but would be interested in learning more about what you are offering, as I am sure it is fair."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"Most retail positions offer minimum wage plus some commission breakdown. Overall, I currently earn about 18/hour with commission worked in. I would like to join a company that is a touch more generous than my current employer, but that can also translate into work-related perks versus my hourly rate."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I need to be earning a minimum of 150,000 per year. I believe this number to be very fair given my track record of success and the many years of experience I bring in this industry."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"From what I have researched, the average pay for a high school English teacher with 8-10 years of experience, in this region, is 90,000 per year. Is this correct?"
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Anonymous Answer
Given I have 20 years of Human Resource experience to bring to the table, working for large multinationals and holding regional leadership roles, I would like to think that the salary you offer would be in line with the market and commensurate with my skills and experience.
Stephanie's Feedback
Salary is always a really tricky topic! You do a great job of addressing your skills and your years of professional experience while stating that you hope the salary is commensurate to your skills and experience. This is a wonderful way of deflecting the question a bit without providing a specific number (although I would encourage you to have a range in mind, in case you're pressed." To strengthen your response, you may wish to include an additional sentence stating that, if you progress in the interview process, you're very open to further discussion and feel confident that you can come to an agreement about compensation.
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