Financial Analyst Mock Interview

Question 38 of 40 for our Financial Analyst Mock Interview

Financial Analyst was updated by Kevin Downey on August 9th, 2023. Learn more here.

Question 38 of 40

What are your salary expectations?

What You Need to Know
Experienced Example
Community Answers

The best way to discuss your salary expectations is to evaluate your interview performance, your track record for success, what headhunters have suggested you are worth, and what your current employer has offered to keep you on. Also, consider what your projected earnings are for the coming year. Be open and honest, and feel free to compare where any of their benefits, perks, or cost-of-living offerings fall short of what you currently receive. Transparency is the best choice when salary-based questions arise. But don't offer a firm number of what you are aiming for. Just present the facts, and see if they will make an offer you can counter as you see fit. As Howard Baker said, "The most difficult thing in any negotiation, almost, is making sure that you strip it of the emotion and deal with the facts."

"Currently, I earn a base salary of $163,000 per year plus a potential 10% annual performance-based bonus. Last year my earnings were $168,000, and I receive two performance reviews a year, where I see on average a 5-7% increase bi-annually."

Anonymous Answer

"60,000/year"

Amanda's Feedback

I appreciate your straightforward answer, but this question usually requires a bit more finesse. You can improve your answer by eliminating the annual salary number. Instead, assure the interviewer that you have a flexible salary range, but that you'd like to be compensated appropriately based on your experience and performance record. It may be more appropriate to provide a specific number when you're discussing the details of the position or when you receive an offer.

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How to Answer: What are your salary expectations?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Financial Analyst job interview.

38. What are your salary expectations?

What You Need to Know

The best way to discuss your salary expectations is to evaluate your interview performance, your track record for success, what headhunters have suggested you are worth, and what your current employer has offered to keep you on. Also, consider what your projected earnings are for the coming year. Be open and honest, and feel free to compare where any of their benefits, perks, or cost-of-living offerings fall short of what you currently receive. Transparency is the best choice when salary-based questions arise. But don't offer a firm number of what you are aiming for. Just present the facts, and see if they will make an offer you can counter as you see fit. As Howard Baker said, "The most difficult thing in any negotiation, almost, is making sure that you strip it of the emotion and deal with the facts."

Written by Kevin Downey on August 3rd, 2023

Experienced Example