What are your salary expectations?
Before you start talking pay (and salary negotiations) with a prospective employer, you need to find out how much the job (and you) are worth. You will need to take the time to research salaries, so, you are prepared to get what you’re worth and a job offer that’s realistic and reasonable.
Salary Negotiations
Once you know what you should be earning, how do you go about getting it? Start by being very patient. When interviewing for a new position, do your best not to bring up compensation until the employer makes you an offer. If you’re asked what your salary requirements are, say that they are open based upon the position and the overall compensation package. Or tell the employer you’d like to know more about the responsibilities and the challenges of the job prior to discussing salary. Another option is to give the employer a salary range based upon the salary research you’ve done up front. Once you’ve received the offer you don’t need to accept (or reject) it right away. A simple "I need to think it over" can get you an increase in the original offer.
And if you’re ambivalent about the position a "no" can bring you a better offer too. I turned down a position I knew I didn’t want, regardless of salary, and received three follow-up phone calls upping the compensation package. Be careful though, if you do definitely need that new job there’s a risk that the employer may accept your declining the position and move on to the next candidate.
Negotiating a Raise
If you are currently employed and want a raise, start by being prepared. Gather your salary survey information, recent performance appraisals that document the job you’re doing, and any other relevant information. Be aware of company policy regarding compensation. Some employers are limited by budget constraints and can only give raises at certain times of the year, regardless of the circumstances. Have a clear idea of what you want. Determine the salary range you’re looking for and justification for the increase and have both ready to review with your supervisor. Be flexible. Would you consider an extra couple of weeks vacation instead of a raise? I know someone who’s regularly taken time-off instead of money and now has six vacation weeks a year… Then, ask your supervisor for a meeting to discuss salary. Present your request, supported by documentation, calmly and rationally. Don’t ask for an immediate answer. Your boss is mostly likely going to have to discuss it with Human Resources and/or other company managers.
Despite your best efforts, there may simply not be enough money in the budget to increase your salary or compensation package offer. The company may also not want to create inequities by paying one person more than others in a similar position. In that case, you can at least know you tried. Plus, if this is a job you really think that you’re going to love, consider whether the company culture, the benefits, and the job itself are worth it – regardless of the salary.
This all depends on the job role, find out what they are offering to pay you, and use that as your answer
What do you do if the job you are interested in just says the salary is "negotiable" – this doesnt give a starting point, so you’d need to know what the lowest you would accept is, and then work from there. Dont overprice yourself though and dont go in too low, try and research the salaries of comparable jobs in the area
Most interviewers will ask this question, usually towards the end of the interview.
If this is a position you have not done before it will be hard to answer, if you are going for a similar or better job then you will already know what you want.
You will need to research this information carefully by finding out what other people are on in similar size companies, similar roles before committing to a figure.
You also need to have a realistic figure in your mind what you need for this jobs eg: you have your house to pay for, your car, lifestyle etc, these factors all need to be considered.
Every company knows that what they are prepared to pay for this role and by asking they are assessing that if you say higher than they are willing to pay whether you would even accept the role if it was offered to you and if you did accept it how long would you stay with them?
If you are offered a salary lower than you like then this is the time for negotiation – maybe ask if it could be increased to what you initially stated after completing your probationary period? This also proves to the company that you are looking to stay in this role.
If you are miles out of what other companies are paying then you will have to do some more research into salaries, don’t listen to friends etc, get real facts when it comes to something so important.
Good Luck.