Expected Salary in Job Applications: How Should You Mention It?

Hello seniors,

Greetings of the day!

Sir, when we apply for the job, what should we write in the expected salary statement? I mean, what is the proper way we should write it? Should we mention the amount?

Thank you.

Dear Sonia,

Usually, people write negotiable, but again, there has to be some figure. If you ask me about the same, I would say "NO."

Regards,
Vipin:icon1:

Dear Sonia,

It is very difficult to answer such a typical question because only you can know your market value and only you can assess yourself. Generally, people write "negotiable," but you have to come out at the time of the interview, and only you can assess yourself.

Thanks,
JS Malik

Basically, while deciding on this aspect of employment, we take into account many assumptions and presumptions. For example:

Nature of Jobs - Job description, delegation of authority, decision making, etc. Level of Jobs - Position in Organizational Hierarchy Company's Profile - PSU/Pvt Ltd/Public Limited/MNC, etc. Market trends - Demand and Supply Maximum Salary range for this position - Benchmark salary

Finally, we decide on our current salary - Expected salary growth rate.

But, I always consider the risk factor while quoting my expected salary because:

I have proved my worth in my present organization, and they have confidence in my ability as well as capabilities. I have lesser employment risk with the current organization.

But when making a change, I take a risk, and my new venture may or may not work. So, while joining a new organization, I take a risk for my employment to perform and meet the expectations of my future employer.

Here you have to select a price for this risk. In case of the worst situation, you must have sufficient wherewithal to bounce back.

Badlu

Dear All,

I would like to inquire about the forms that need to be filled out for PF and ESI, as well as the total contribution required from the employer for the PF portion.

Regards,
Irfan Beg

Hi Mr. Badlu,

You have explained very decisively. Here I have a niggling doubt for the past 2 years and could not seek the answer because I felt it was ridiculous! What are the objectives behind asking "expected salary" in interviews?

When you have decided to pay me not more than Rs. 25,000/- per month, irrespective of my expectations (I may expect something more), you would offer me if I agree with you for the same. But why has this query become an important question in interviews?

Vissu

Dear Vissu,

Basically, there are many facets to this question.

The employer is unaware of the candidate's salary package on record; whatever you project is not reliable.

Secondly, they do not waste time and energy in cross-checking with the previous employer regarding your current salary because that almost never works. Most employers do not respond to such queries when an employee decides to quit. Instead, they either try to retain the employee by offering more than what the next employer has offered or ask the employee to give notice for their replacement.

In both cases, these situations hinder the candidate's joining of a new organization once it becomes known that they are considering a change from their current employer.

By asking the candidate about their expected salary, the interviewer wants to ensure that the candidate's expectations for joining will be motivating and an incentive for the new incumbent. Otherwise, it will end up being a futile exercise, leading to the need to recruit new people for the same position every six months.

Best regards,
Badlu

Dear Vissu,

Let me tell you a small trick here. Firstly, when you go for an interview, you need to know how much they were paying for the same position, and this is certainly not a tough task. If you can find and mold your answer accordingly, I am sure you'll get the job.

The basic components - HRA, DA, Medical allowance, PF, etc. - vary from company to company. All these different components together will make your CTC (Cost to the Company), but your in-hand amount will depend on the ratios of these components. For example: your basic, HRA, DA, Medical, etc.

So, what I mean is your expected salary/offered salary may always be too high for your in-hand amount.

Dear Mr. Lakshman,

I too know that every employer has their own salary structure based on the previous pay scale. Could you please inform me how we can find out the potential salary they might offer before the interview?

Vissu

Thank you very much for the answer, Mr. Badlu. May I know your email address? I would like to be in touch with you to have better clarifications in the field of HR.

I forgot to introduce myself. I am Vissu, working as an HR Assistant Manager with 2 years and 6 months of experience in HR Generalist.

Vissu