Introduction

There is one question in every job interview that determines if you will earn higher or lower for the same role. That question is, what is your salary expectation? It is one of those common interview questions you will likely come across.

Your answer to this question has more financial impact than your degree, your years of experience, or even your interview performance. Yet most job seekers approach it with no strategy, guided only by the fear of asking for too much, appearing greedy, or losing the opportunity entirely.

While many recruiters ask about salary expectations to filter out candidates whose requirements exceed their budget, others use it as a way to secure talent at a lower cost for the company.

So don’t be like most job seekers who go to the interview unprepared on how to answer this question. Be the smart job seeker who sees it as an opportunity to demonstrate their market knowledge, to position themselves as a collaborative professional, and to establish a compensation baseline that reflects their actual worth.

And if you are confused on how exactly to answer the salary expectation question, this article changes that.

You'll learn exactly how to answer salary expectation questions strategically, with 20 professional responses. These strategies will help you negotiate compensation that reflects your actual worth so you never have to experience the regret of leaving millions on the table.

View 10 Best Savings and Low-Risk Investments for Nigerian Salary Earners

Why Interviewers Ask "What is your salary expectation"?

You may be wondering what the big deal about the salary question is, yet it’s one that often stumps job candidates. Not only that, but it can change the climate of an interview from red hot to ice cold as a result of a few digits of difference in thinking. The reasons why companies ask job candidates the salary question encompass the following;

1. Company leaders and HR professionals want to know if they can afford you before they invest time and resources courting you to come to work for them.
2. Some employers are bargaining hunters. Despite a general market value for certain positions, some companies place a bigger premium on certain positions than other companies. This means that the salary they expect to pay for a certain position may be lower or higher than the going rate.
3. Another possible reason is that they’re trying to see how you value your work. Are you confident enough to ask for what you deserve, or will you meekly accept whatever they offer?

PS: Check out the latest hotnigeriajobs today

Different Ways to Answer: "What is your salary expectation"?

When asked about salary questions during the interview, you don't need to be worried. All you need to do is follow the strategies for answering salary expectation interview questions.

Playing to the interviewer's emotion

This is the first strategy that is always encouraged to use when answering the salary question. This is because you are trying to play on the interviewer’s sense of empathy and letting him take the lead. Thus, the interviewer is forced to say the first figure. Then you can start bargaining from that standard to the actual rate you inquired about. Examples of answers here are:

1. “I’m more interested in finding a position that’s a good fit for my skills and interests. I’m confident that you’re offering a salary that’s competitive in the current market.”
2. “I’d like to ask what you typically pay someone with my experience and education in this type of position.”
3. “I’m sure whatever you offer will be a fair amount for a person with my qualifications. Salary is not the most important factor to me. I’m looking for an opportunity.”

Bargaining using the Market Rate

If you have inquired for the market rate of the job position using MySalaryScale or have gotten information from employees working in that firm, you should be able to answer the question almost accurately to what the interviewer thinks. Examples of answers here are:

1. “From the research that I have done, it appears that your firm pays around #80,000 to #95,000 for this job position. Is that the range you had in mind?”
2. “Based on my previous experience and education and the ‘going rate’ for this type of position, I would like to be paid around #150,000 to #170,000. Is that a range that fits with your compensation structure?”

Always end it with a question to the interviewer for feedback, not to sound too certain.

Answering the Question with another Question

It's no news that a typical Nigerian answers a question with another question. But here, you must do it with great tact and courtesy. See sample answers:

1. ‘I’m quite open and slightly flexible on salary, as the opportunity to add value and to be valued is important to me.
2. I’d appreciate knowing how you value this position and what your budget is for this role?’

The way you say this is very important. Say it with a smile on your face and raise your voice at the end of the sentence, so it seems like a question.

1. ‘I’d rather not commit to that quite yet. I’m really open to your thoughts on this as I’m sure you will be consistent with the market?’

Then pause. Just stop talking. By silencing yourself quite abruptly, you are forcing the other person to talk and it shows you are in control.

Again, you must do this in a very ‘upbeat’ way. We don’t want you to become defensive, as this can sometimes come across as aggressive… not a good look

Stating your previous Salary

Stating your previous salary, even without answering directly, could set a standard for the interviewer to base his or her decision on. For example:

1. “I was making #80,000 in my last job. I would like similar here also, or like a 15 to 20 per cent increase.”

More Answers for the Salary Question

There are other ways to answer the salary question in a way to get positive results. Some of the other answers are as follows:

1. “I really need more information about the job before we start to discuss salary. Maybe you could tell me what is budgeted for the position, and how your commission structure works.”
2. “I really need more information about the position before I can begin to discuss salary. Can you tell me the range budgeted for this position?”
3. “I would need to know more about your salary structure and how often you review salaries as well as your entire package, before I could discuss salary ranges. Could you provide me with more information before we discuss this subject?”
4. “I had an unusual situation at my last job where I took less salary to own a share of the company. I also had a bonus structure that I was receiving. I would have to look at the entire package that you offer before comparing the two jobs or salaries.”
5. “That would be like comparing two jobs that are entirely different in responsibilities and in the base and bonus structure. I would be more interested in hearing what the package you offer is, before I compare the two jobs. I hope we can postpone this subject until we both have more information to discuss salary and benefit comparisons.”

Best Answers to Salary Expectation Questions

Here are 20 professional responses to salary expectation questions:

1. "Based on my research of similar roles in this industry and my experience level, a monthly salary in the range of ₦250,000 to ₦300,000 will be ideal for a start."
2. "Well, I'd appreciate learning more about the full scope of compensation and benefits in your organisation. Could you share the budgeted range for this position?"
3. "I'm currently exploring opportunities in the ₦280,000 to ₦320,000 range for my next role. How does that align with what your organisation has budgeted for this position?"
4. "I'm targeting total compensation around ₦400,000 monthly. I'm also open to creative compensation structures that include performance bonuses."
5. "I would expect compensation that's commensurate with my expertise in financial analysis and my professional certifications. What's the typical range for high-performing professionals in this role?"
6. "To be transparent, my minimum requirement would be ₦500,000 monthly, though I'm realistically targeting ₦700,000 to ₦800,000 based on my consistent track record of exceeding targets."
7. "I'm definitely open to discussing compensation, but I'd first like to ensure we're aligned on budget expectations and that this is a mutual fit."
8. "For this level of responsibility and given my skill set, I'm looking at ₦300,000 to ₦350,000 monthly. However, I'm flexible if the role offers strong mentorship, training opportunities, and clear advancement paths."
9. "Based on current market standards, I'm expecting compensation between ₦600,000 and ₦800,000 monthly."
10. "My expectation is flexible depending on the complete compensation package, including benefits, allowances, and professional development opportunities. What does the typical package look like for this role?"
11. "From my research, similar positions with similar responsibilities range from ₦280,000 to ₦350,000 monthly. Given my skills in digital marketing and proven track record, I'd be looking toward the higher end of that range."
12. "I'm currently earning ₦400,000 monthly in my present role. For this position, which involves additional responsibilities and leadership requirements, I would be looking for around ₦750,000 to ₦900,000."
13. "I'm seeking competitive compensation that reflects both my qualifications and the value I'll bring to your organisation. Could you share what salary range has been allocated for this position?"
14. "Based on the job requirements and the level of expertise needed, I would expect something in the range of ₦300,000 to ₦350,000 monthly, though I'm certainly open to discussion."
15. "My research indicates that fair market value for someone with my background and skill set is typically between ₦220,000 and ₦270,000 for this type of position in the current market. So I expect that the company can match that."
16. "Rather than provide a specific number at this stage, I'd be interested to hear what you typically offer for someone at this level with my qualifications and experience."
17. "My salary expectations are negotiable and would depend on several factors, including the benefits structure, performance bonus opportunities, and long-term growth potential within the organisation."
18. "I'm looking for total monthly compensation in the range of ₦350,000 to ₦400,000, taking into account base salary, allowances, and any performance-based incentives that may be included."
19. "While compensation is certainly important, I'm equally interested in the overall career opportunity and company culture. That being said, I would expect something around ₦280,000 monthly."
20. "Does this role fall within a comparable range, or is there flexibility based on the candidate's experience?"

Conclusion

The salary expectation question will always come up, and how you handle it will directly impact your earnings, your financial security, and your long-term wealth. Choose the strategy that fits your situation. Practice your response until it sounds natural.

See salaries in Nigeria by companies and job positions

Courtesy: MySalaryScale

Recommended Resources:

1. 12 Things to Know About Career Changes
2. Best Career Groups to Follow on Facebook