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How to Answer “What’s Your Salary Expectation”

Navigate this tricky interview hurdle with confidence and land your dream job offer.

Shailesh Sharma
7 min readFeb 16, 2024

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You know the feeling. You walk out of an interview buzzing with excitement, convinced you nailed it. Then, reality bites. The dreaded email arrives, informing you that your application wasn’t successful. What went wrong? Often, it boils down to one crucial question: “What are your salary expectations?”

This deceptively simple question can turn into a major stumbling block for even the most qualified candidates. It’s no wonder you might feel a surge of anxiety when it pops up. But fear not, job seekers! By understanding the why behind the question and crafting a well-thought-out response, you can transform this hurdle into a stepping stone to securing your dream job with the compensation you deserve.

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Why This Question Matters

Let’s face it, companies aren’t handing out salaries like candy. When they ask about your expectations, it’s not just to gauge your financial desires. They’re looking for several key things:

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Shailesh Sharma

I am a Senior Product Manager and help people land their dream job™. My Resources have helped 2300+ folks, 🚀 Start here -> https://topmate.io/technomanagers 🚀