The “desired salary” question on a job application can be a source of anxiety. Stating a number too high might disqualify you, while aiming too low could leave money on the table. This question is a navigable part of the hiring process, and understanding how to approach it is the first step in managing your compensation negotiations.
Why Companies Ask for Your Desired Salary
Employers include the desired salary question for efficiency and budget alignment. Companies have pre-approved salary bands for every role, and your answer helps them screen candidates whose expectations do not match their budget. This prevents both parties from investing time in an interview process that is destined to fail on compensation.
Your response also helps hiring managers gauge your understanding of your market value. An answer aligned with the industry standard for the role, location, and your experience level indicates you have done your research, while an outlier figure could raise questions about your preparation.
How to Research a Competitive Salary
To answer the salary question, you must first determine your market value through research. Gather data from multiple reputable sources to establish a realistic and justifiable range, as this will be your foundation for any compensation discussion.
Start by consulting online salary calculators from sources like Glassdoor, Payscale, and LinkedIn Salary. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is another resource, offering detailed compensation data across many occupations, industries, and locations.
The accuracy of your research depends on how specifically you filter the data. Refine your search to include your years of experience, your industry, and the geographic location of the job. A software developer in San Francisco will have a different salary expectation than one in a smaller city, and your research must reflect these nuances.
Look for consistency across platforms and treat any outlier data with skepticism. The goal is to identify a reliable average and construct a range based on the 25th, 50th (median), and 75th percentiles for your profile.
What to Write for Your Desired Salary
Once your research is complete, you have several options for the desired salary field, depending on the application format and your comfort with negotiation.
Provide a Salary Range
One strategy is to provide a well-researched salary range, such as $70,000-$80,000. This approach shows you have done your homework while leaving room for discussion. The bottom of your range should be a figure you would be happy to accept, as employers may anchor to the lower number.
A strategic range signals flexibility and cooperation. Ensure your range is not too wide; a $10,000 to $15,000 spread is reasonable for many professional roles.
Use “Negotiable” or a Similar Term
If the application allows text, writing “Negotiable” is an effective way to defer the salary conversation until after you have demonstrated your value in an interview. This allows you to learn more about the role’s responsibilities before discussing pay. Phrases like “Competitive” or “Open to discussion” achieve a similar outcome.
This approach may compel the employer to be the first to name a number, which can be a negotiating advantage. However, be aware that some Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) may not accept non-numeric answers, which could cause an error.
Leave the Field Blank
Another strategy is to leave the desired salary field blank if it is not required. This preserves your negotiating power by forcing the employer to proceed without a preconceived notion of your salary expectations. By not providing a number, you avoid being screened out for asking too much or anchoring yourself too low.
This option depends on the application’s design, as many online forms will not allow you to submit with a blank required field. If possible, this choice postpones the salary discussion until you have more leverage.
Handling Required Numerical Fields
Many online applications use required fields that only accept numbers, preventing you from entering text or a range. In this scenario, you must enter a single, specific number strategically.
The best practice is to enter a figure from the upper end of your researched salary range. For instance, if your research indicated a range of $65,000 to $75,000, you could enter $75,000. This anchors the negotiation at a higher point without being so unrealistic that an automated system filters you out.
Some candidates attempt to bypass these systems by entering “0” or “1,” but this is a risky maneuver. A recruiter might view this as evasive or an attempt to game the system, creating a negative first impression. It is safer to provide a realistic number based on your research.
Preparing to Justify Your Answer in an Interview
The number you enter on an application is the beginning of the salary discussion, not the end. You must be prepared to discuss your expectations in an interview, regardless of your initial answer.
Be ready to articulate why you are worth the salary you are asking for. Connect your request directly to the data you gathered, mentioning the market rate for the role, location, and your experience level. Frame the conversation around the value you will bring, referencing specific skills and accomplishments.
Think of the number on your application as a placeholder for a more detailed conversation. You can explain that your initial figure was based on the job description and that a more informed discussion is now possible. This positions you as a thoughtful candidate focused on a fair arrangement.