How to Answer “What Is Your Desired Salary?” with Confidence
- hemander linkcvright
- Dec 9, 2025
- 4 min read
Salary discussions can feel uncomfortable—even intimidating—for many job seekers. Whether you’re preparing your CV, updating your LinkedIn profile, or getting ready for an interview, one question almost always appears:
“What is your desired salary?”
Many candidates freeze at this moment. Some worry about quoting too high and losing the job; others fear quoting too low and ending up underpaid. The truth? Answering this question well has less to do with guessing and more to do with preparation.
This article breaks down how to respond confidently, how to protect your long-term earning potential, and how to show employers that you understand your value.
Why Employers Ask This Question
It may feel like a trap, but the question has a purpose. Hiring managers want to know:
Whether your expectations match their budget
If you understand your market value
Whether you approach compensation professionally
If you can communicate clearly and confidently
When you answer with clarity, you make the recruiter’s job easier—and you present yourself as a prepared, informed candidate.
What Happens When You’re Unprepared
Many job seekers make one of these common mistakes:
Giving a number that is far outside the market range
Saying “I’m open to anything,” which signals uncertainty
Quoting a low figure out of fear
Avoiding the question altogether
These actions can lead to underpayment, rejected applications, or missed opportunities. Proper preparation not only helps you answer smoothly—it ensures you respect your own worth.
The Right Way to Answer “What Is Your Desired Salary?”
Below is a structured, simple approach that helps you respond confidently and professionally.
1. Know Your Market Value
Before any interview, do your research. Check salaries for:
Your specific role
Your industry
Your city or region
Your level of experience
Websites like Glassdoor, Payscale, LinkedIn Salary Insights, and industry-specific reports can give you a realistic picture.
Why this matters: When you know the numbers, you avoid guessing. You also avoid undervaluing yourself—something that can affect your future raises, job transitions, and long-term earning growth.
2. Share a Range, Not a Single Number
Giving a salary range instead of a fixed number gives you flexibility during negotiation.
For example: “Based on my research and experience, I’m targeting ₹X to ₹Y.”
This shows three things:
You are prepared
You are reasonable
You are open to discussion
It also subtly shifts the power back to you, because employers now have a framework to work within.
3. Explain the Value You Bring
Salary is not just about the market—it’s about you. When you explain your value, your range becomes more credible.
Talk about:
Skills you bring
Results you’ve delivered
Relevant experience
Achievements that connect directly to the role
This reinforces that your number is not random—it is backed by evidence.
Example: “Given my experience managing cross-functional teams and improving process efficiency by 20%, I believe the range I’ve shared is aligned with the value I bring.”
This is not boasting—it’s professional positioning.
4. Show Flexibility
Salary is only one part of the compensation package.Benefits, bonuses, work flexibility, growth opportunities, and learning allowances all matter.
A simple line like:“I’m open to discussing the full compensation package.”keeps the tone positive and professional.
You’re not locking yourself in. You’re showing maturity, confidence, and willingness to collaborate.
Sample Answer You Can Use
Here’s a simple, polished response you can adopt in your next interview:
“Based on the market and my experience, I’m targeting ₹X–₹Y. I’m open to discussing the total compensation package.”
Short, confident, and well-structured.
Why Salary Negotiation Matters for Your Career
Negotiation isn’t just about today’s offer—it shapes your entire career trajectory.
Fair salary ensures:
You are paid for your true skills and experience
You avoid long-term underpayment
Your future raises, bonuses, and promotions are based on a realistic baseline
You feel valued and motivated in your role
Being confident in your worth signals professionalism. It shows you understand the industry, the role, and the contribution you bring.
Salary negotiation is not about being demanding—it’s about being informed and intentional.
Actionable Tips for Smarter Salary Conversations
If you want to go into your next interview with confidence, here are practical steps you can follow:
Before the Interview
Research salary data for your role and location
Decide your minimum acceptable salary
Prepare a value-based explanation
Practice your answer out loud
During the Interview
Wait for the employer to ask (if possible)
Share a well-prepared salary range
Connect your range to your experience
Maintain a calm, confident tone
After the Interview
Ask clarifying questions about benefits
Request time to think if you're unsure
Always get the final offer in writing
These steps strengthen your negotiation position and help ensure you start your job with clarity and confidence.
Conclusion
Discussing salary doesn’t have to feel stressful. With research, preparation, and the right communication approach, you can answer “What is your desired salary?” confidently and professionally.
A clear and thoughtful response helps:
Position you as a knowledgeable candidate
Protect your long-term earning potential
Demonstrate your understanding of your value
Salary conversations are a natural part of the job search process. Treat them as an opportunity—not a challenge—to express confidence in your skills and experience.
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