You’re taking part in a job interview and things are going great. You smoothly answered all the questions and feel like you’ve made a good impression on the recruiters. The meeting is coming to an end and at last you hear one of the most difficult questions: “What are you expectations, money-wise?” For many people discussing salary can be stressful. Which is why it’s good to consider this matter when preparing for a job interview. Below you’ll find suggestions from Devire.

1. Put a price on your work

First of all, establish how much you should be earning in the position you’re applying for. Analyse the available wages reports, taking into account the remuneration of persons with similar experience. Bear in mind the industry and location as well. Seek data from more than one source, but make sure the information is sound. Approach your friends who work in the same industry – learn about their experiences and gather valuable insight.

A candidate’s value is determined by their experience, knowledge and qualifications. Rare skills, foreign language proficiency, participation in atypical projects, earned certificates and quantifiable achievements are also of great importance. During the job interview, it is advisable to demonstrate one’s hard and soft skills which are invaluable for a potential employer. It’s crucial that the company’s representatives feel that a given person is a perfect fit for the team and hiring them would benefit the entire organisation. In such a case, the employer is able to offer a higher remuneration than initially planned – said Michalina Jabłońska-Sprawnik, Senior Account Manager, Outsourcing Devire.

2. Establish how much you want to earn

Determine the absolute minimum salary you’re going to accept. Take into account living expenses, costs of commuting and other expenses. Add a 15–20% safety margin, to make room for possible negotiations. If you’re a candidate with extensive experience and knowledge, you can negotiate a higher pay. Before deciding on the amount of remuneration, find out what exactly will be included in your wages. Establish whether a potential employer pays bonuses or offers non-wage benefits to foster work-life balance. This may impact
the amount of proposed renumeration. Consider opportunities for development and advancement, which may involve pay rises. Prepare a list of tools you expect from the employer, such as a computer, remote system access, a company car, etc.

3. Make sure how much you’ll be taking home

At job interviews, HR personnel or potential employers often discuss gross salaries (which include insurance and taxes). Remember that the net amount will be correspondingly lower.

To figure out the difference, you can use a salary indicator for gross and net amounts. The result depends on the type of contract you sign with the company. With this tool, you can also find out what type of contract suits you best. Remember that arrangements made during the final stages of recruitment are binding. The last opportunity for any negotiations is during the job interview. By the time your first day at work comes, it will be far too late.

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