In my final round my interviewer asked about salary expectations. I wasn’t expecting it and gave an answer that wasn’t great (like, I saw the range you posted and would be interested in the top half). For the future, how do yall handle surprise salary questions from interviewers?

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Live and learn. By that point in the process you should have been thinking about the salary range and coming up with a reasonable idea of where in the range you would be situated. And for future reference, don't consider salary questions to be surprising, we always need to be ready for them.

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Will definitely learn from this!

I've approached it as, I see the posted range, and I'd expect to be at about 75 to 80% of the top end based on my experience as a base. With x bonus and equity. You didn't do bad but could have done better. When you saw the posting in your head, you probably thought of a number. Just have to remember that next time

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100%

To be honest, this shouldn’t be a surprise question. It’s a question you should expect and have an answer prepared for.

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Very fair - I’ve never had an interviewer ask before, just recruiters. Lesson learned

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Let me give you a prepared response if there’s a range in the JD: “is the range in the listing still the budget you’re working with?” “Yes” “I think based on my experience and confidence, I’d be comfortable at the higher end of that range.” If they say no “can you tell me what separates someone at X from the top of the range?” And let it happen from there. I like to / appreciate when others as me “is there a route to that top end, meaning would there be milestones and accomplishments that could get me there on a time horizon like 6 or 12 months?” In effect you want to understand the reasons why they won’t give you the top, see if you can counter them, or get them to commit to hitting it in a time frame.

If there is no range published, start with “what is the budget you’re working with?” If they still won’t answer then you go old school. “Right now I’m at X (your current salary plus a believable 10-15%) and to make the move I think Y would be a level that is appropriate.”

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Great approach! I haven't been in an interview outside my current company for +7 years and have one this week where will definitely have to discuss this practicality. I'll use your advise here. Thanks.

Seems very late by the interviewer to be asking this at all! This should be done up front during the phone screen, not the final round! Maybe not an exact number, but a range that works for you. Saves everyone time if things aren’t aligned then, you both just move on.

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Agree! Thats what I’ve always seen too

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You should be prepared with your range (probably adjusted for the posted range of the role) before you take a screen. If the range has not been provided for the role, you should still come with a prepared range based on your own market research, similar roles, etc.

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100% agree, I’ve just never had a interviewer and not the recruiter ask

Your answer wasn't terrible, so give yourself a break. TBH, this seems super late in the process. Be wary of an unorganized agency.

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I do think it's surprising that this was the first mention on salary. As I've prescreened people to ensure they are comfortable with salary before passing to hiring manager. However, don't you have an idea of what you are looking to make? I have been straight forward before and said that I'm looking for X but I'm negotiable. You could add some wording after that obviously like there more opportunity for advancement, exposure to a different industry.

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Good luck!

People always sell themselves short. Your time is precious and times are hard out here! With confidence you tell them "because of your proven track record and the fact that you're already thinking of ways to make them more successful. I'll prove to you I'm worth it! Tell them you won't let them down! Then rock it out!

why wasn't your answer great? If you see yourself in the top half, state it. Nothing wrong with that.

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