Walking into a job interview can feel like a high-stakes balancing act. You've practiced your elevator pitch, researched the company culture, and ironed your best suit. But then comes the moment many candidates dread: the salary question. Whether it happens during the initial screening or the final round, your answer can determine not just your future paycheck, but whether you stay in the running at all.

The challenge is two-fold. If you aim too high—asking for $140,000 for a role budgeted at $80,000—you risk being dismissed as overqualified or unrealistic. If you aim too low, you might appear inexperienced or leave thousands of dollars on the table. Finding your "fair market value" is the key to navigating this conversation with confidence and professional authority.

The Importance of Knowing Your Market Value

Many professionals struggle with salary expectations because they have been with the same employer for several years. In that time, the market shifts. Inflation, regional demand for specific skills, and industry growth can make your current salary an outdated benchmark for your next move. Before you ever step into an interview, you must understand what the market is currently paying for your specific skill set and experience level.

Researching Your Specific Role and Location

Salary is rarely a flat rate across the board; it is heavily influenced by geography and cost of living. For instance, a senior software engineer in Silicon Valley will command a significantly higher salary than one in Cleveland, simply due to regional economic factors. Use reputable tools like Salary.com, Glassdoor, or Payscale to find data tailored to your city. If you are applying for remote roles, research the company's headquarters location as many firms now use localized pay scales.

Knowing your numbers isn't just about getting paid more; it's about demonstrating that you are a well-informed professional who understands the industry landscape.

How to Calculate Your Ideal Salary Range

Once you have established the industry average for your role, it is time to build a "buffer zone." Instead of giving a single, rigid number, providing a range shows flexibility and a willingness to negotiate based on the total benefits package.

• Set a $10,000–$20,000 Spread: If your research shows the market average is $80,000, a healthy range might be $75,000 to $95,000.
• Align with Experience: If you are transitioning into a new field, stay closer to the lower end of the market average. If you are a seasoned expert, lead with the higher end.
• Factor in the Full Package: Remember that salary is only one part of the equation. Bonuses, stock options, health benefits, and remote work flexibility all have monetary value.

Before you get to the negotiation stage, ensure your credentials look as professional as your verbal answers. Using an AI CV builder can help you highlight your achievements in a way that justifies your requested range.

When to Expect the Salary Question

Timing is everything. In the modern hiring landscape, you should be prepared to discuss money much earlier than you might expect. Many recruiters will ask about your expectations during the very first recruiter screening call. This isn't a trap; it's a way to ensure that neither party wastes time if the budgets are fundamentally misaligned.

Handling the Screening Call

If a recruiter asks for your range in the first five minutes, don't panic. State your researched range confidently. If they confirm it fits within their budget, you can move forward focusing on your fit for the role. If they don't bring it up on the phone, expect the question toward the end of your in-person or virtual interview. By this point, you should have a firm grasp of the job's responsibilities, which allows you to refine your range if the role is more demanding than the job description suggested.

The Foundation of a Successful Negotiation

While your verbal delivery matters, your leverage in any salary discussion starts with your resume. If your resume doesn't clearly communicate the value you bring, it becomes much harder to justify a top-of-market salary. Employers need to see the ROI (Return on Investment) of hiring you. To ensure your resume passes the initial digital gatekeepers, use an ATS checker to verify that your document is optimized for the software used by 75% of large companies.

If you find that your current document is lacking, you can convert any document—even a photo of a paper resume or a LinkedIn profile—into a modern, professional CV that stands out. A high-quality, ATS-friendly format sets the tone that you are a high-value candidate worthy of a competitive offer.

What to Do if You Are Under-Offered

If the company offers a figure below your range, don't feel pressured to accept on the spot. You can learn how to discuss salary expectations without being awkward by focusing on the value you provide. If the gap is too wide and they cannot budge, it may be a sign that the role isn't the right fit for your career trajectory.

Final Thoughts

Answering "What's your salary range?" doesn't have to be a source of anxiety. With the right research and a clear understanding of your market value, you can turn a potentially awkward moment into a professional conversation about mutual growth. Start by building a resume that commands respect using the MobileCV.ai CV maker, and go into your next interview knowing exactly what you are worth.