Have you ever gone through the interview process for a job, only to make it to the end and get an offer that is far below what you can accept?
You regret the time you spent preparing for the interview and learning about the company but you can’t have it back. Or maybe you just want to avoid such an experience altogether by knowing where the salary stands before making any moves.
In this post, we are going to walk you through effective approaches you can use to ask about salary before going for interviews so you no longer have to waste time and energy on roles that aren’t right for you.
Also Read: How To Answer “What Are Your Salary Expectations”?
Is it bad to ask about salary before an interview?
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The simple answer is no.
Interviews take a lot of time, effort, and other resources to prepare for, especially these days when the process can last for several weeks with multiple stages. It makes sense to want to know whether all that effort will be worth it before committing to the process.
If you are only willing to entertain jobs that meet specific compensation requirements, then there’s nothing wrong in clarifying where the salary stands upfront.
Asking about the salary information before the first or second interview can save everyone precious time. What matters is how you go about asking the question.
As long as you do it graciously and use the right wording to communicate your query, no well-meaning company will take offense at the question or hold it against you.
Explore: Most Asked Interview Questions & Answers
What to include in your email asking about salary?
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Here are some of the ingredients that should be featured when cooking up an email to enquire about compensation information with the goal of eliciting a positive response:
- Clear and concise subject line — If you applied or are thinking about applying to the position and want to find out salary information, you need to come up with a subject line for your email. But if you are responding to an email inviting you for an interview, then you don’t have to worry about this.
- Recipient’s name — Be sure to address the recruiter, hiring manager, or whoever is reaching out to schedule the interview by name.
- Appropriate greeting — A simple “Hello, XXY” is a good way to open your email and recognize the person you’re addressing.
- Introductory paragraph — Your first paragraph after extending a greeting should express your gratitude to the person for contacting you and allowing you to interview for the role in question.
- Follow-up paragraph — This is where you get to talk about your interest in the role and how much you’re looking forward to having a discussion about it, then round up by asking about the salary.
- Concluding paragraph — Thank the email recipient for their time and let them know you’ll be awaiting their response.
- Sign off — Use variations of “Sincerely,” “Regards,” “Best,” and other suitable expressions followed by your name and/or email signature to sign off your message.
Explore: How To Write An Email For A Job?
How to ask about salary in email before an interview?
1. Talk about your passion before mentioning salary
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A lot of recruiters and would-be employers still find it a little weird when candidates broach the money topic first, especially before interviewing for the role. They might take it to mean you’re only motivated by money rather than the job itself.
You want to dispel these suspicions and put their minds at ease by showing that you’re in it for more than just the money. So before you ask about the salary range for the role, express your passion for the work that you do.
Share how excited you are by the prospect of working with a company that solves challenging problems or provides opportunities for career development.
Example:
Hi [Employer/Recruiter Name],
Thank you for reaching out about the [Job title] role at [Company name].
This opportunity is perfect for me because it brings together the two things I’m passionate about—financial technology and storytelling.
I am very excited by the prospect of joining your company. However, just to be sure that our interests are aligned compensation-wise, I would like to enquire about the salary range for this role.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Warmest regards,
[Your name]
Also Read: Bad Cover Letter Examples & How To Fix?
2. State your salary expectations
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If you don’t want to come right out and ask what the company is willing to pay for the position, you can use an indirect approach to get the answer you’re looking for.
With this approach, you can send a message to the hiring manager before applying for the role or after you’ve been invited to interview for the position. But instead of asking for the salary range, you propose a range that you can live with and let them take it from there.
If what they’re willing to offer is within your stated range, they will move forward with the interview. And if they can’t afford the range you mentioned, they will say so, express their regrets, and withdraw their invitation to interview.
Alternatively, they might state what the salary range is and let you decide whether to proceed with the interview or not. The downside to using this tactic is that you risk undercutting yourself assuming the company was willing to pay more than your stated salary range.
Example:
Hi [Employer/Recruiter Name],
Thanks so much for getting in touch! I’d be happy to have a chat to discuss the role and my qualifications with you.
I’ll be available to meet on weekends or between 12 PM and 4 PM on weekdays. And just to make sure we’re both on the same page, at this time, I am entertaining opportunities in the [70,000 – 90,000] salary range. I would hate to waste your time if your budget for the position is lower than this.
I appreciate your time and consideration and look forward to hearing from you.
Warmest regards,
[Your name]
3. Be polite and emphasize your interest
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First, start by thanking the employer for considering you for the role then communicate your interest in the position. Briefly explain why you think the position is right for you and the unique qualities or level of experience you will bring to the company.
This will help to strengthen their impression that you’re a good fit for the role and make the question you’re about to ask seem less upfront or unsavory.
The hiring manager will appreciate your candor when you volunteer more information about yourself while initiating the compensation conversation.
Example:
Hi [Employer/Recruiter Name],
Thanks for reaching out! I am very interested in this opportunity to join your company as a [Job title]. I have always considered your organization to be a visionary in the [Insert industry] landscape and I’ll be honored to contribute my five years of experience in [insert areas of expertise] to help the organization get where it needs to go.
But before we proceed, can you give me a sense of the salary you have budgeted for the position so that I can determine if it fits the type of roles that I’m currently looking at?
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Check Out: Best Colors To Wear To An Interview For Males
4. Base your question on marketing research
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If you need help with how to ask about salary in an email before an interview, this approach can help you get the ball rolling. It shows employers that you’ve done your research and know what you’re worth and are not afraid to ask for it.
Instead of going through multiple rounds of interviews and waiting weeks or months for a response only to be hit with an offer that’s lower than what you’re expecting, you can take the reins and lead the conversation.
Be proactive. Do your research to find out what people with similar skill sets are earning for the role you will be interviewing for. Then state that industry salary range and ask them if their budget is within that ballpark.
You can research salaries to get an idea of what the compensation for a role should be using websites like Payscale, Salary Expert, Glassboro, Job Search Intelligence, and more.
Example:
Hi [Employer/Recruiter Name],
Thanks for reaching out and extending an invitation to interview for the role of [Job title].
Ever since I found out about your company, I’ve been impressed by the work [Company name] does as a [full-service automated platform for insurance document processing, marketing, and administration].
I’m excited by the idea of joining the company and I believe I’m the right fit for the job based on my skills and experience.
Based on my knowledge of the industry as well as market estimates for similar roles here in [Location], the compensation for this role ranges between $60,000 and $90,000. Does the salary for this role match that range?
Although my main focus is to find a new job that aligns with my skills, career goals, and workplace culture expectations, I also want to ensure we see on the same page concerning compensation before moving forward.
I appreciate your time and consideration and look forward to hearing from you.
Also Read: How To Answer “Walk Me Through Your Resume”?
5. Be clear and direct
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If you’re not desperate to find a (new) job and you don’t want to dance around your intentions, you can just hit the nail on the head by asking about compensation directly.
Being direct doesn’t mean you should throw politeness out the window. You still have to be careful about how you phrase the question so you don’t come across as someone who only cares about money and what the company can give them rather than how they can help the company grow.
Directness just cuts the long story short bringing up compensation outright instead of layering it under other topics of conversation.
Example:
Hi [Employer/Recruiter Name],
Thank you for considering me for this role. I would love to have a chat about my qualifications and what the position entails.
However, I want to be respectful of everyone’s time. Given my skill set and level of expertise, I am only considering jobs within the Y to Z range. Does this role fit in that range?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Or
Hi [Employer/Recruiter Name],
I appreciate your interest in my resume and professional experience and I am open to discussing them further as they pertain to the position of [Job title].
But before that happens, I want to make sure that this role is in line with what I’m currently looking for. Can you share the budgeted salary package or general compensation range for this role?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Also Read: Follow Up Email Examples After Interview
6. Ask about career growth opportunities then slip in the salary question
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Since you don’t want to seem like money is the only or main thing you’re interested in, you can hide the money question in another question that has to do with the work itself.
You can start by asking preliminary questions about other parts of the job that could influence your decision to move to a company or not.
If workplace culture, learning and mentorship opportunities, or clear paths for career advancement are important to you, inquire about the company’s position on the point of interest.
So when you throw in the part about the salary, it would seem like an afterthought and not your core motivation.
Example:
Hi [Employer/Recruiter Name],
I appreciate your interest in my qualifications and experience, and I’m excited by the idea of coming on board your company.
I’m very passionate about what I do and I’d like to keep building upon my skills and experience. With that in mind, I’m focused on joining a company that provides a path for long-term growth.
Before we set time aside for an interview, can you please share more about the career growth and development opportunities that the candidate for this role would enjoy, as well as what the compensation bands for the position are?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Explore: Thank You Email Examples After Zoom Interview
7. Go the conversation route
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It can take a while to work up the confidence and assurance you need to pose a direct question to recruiters or hiring managers about salary, especially before an interview.
So if you don’t want to seem too forthright or place your cards on the table, you can broach the question indirectly by asking how competitive the salary is.
Keep in mind that the interviewer or hiring manager may not be aware of what the average pay rate for professionals in similar roles is.
So you will still need to do your research to find out the going rate so you can inform them and know if their proposed range is below par.
Example:
Hi [Employer/Recruiter Name],
Thank you for reaching out. I’m very excited about the idea of joining your company as [Job title].
My availability is X and Y days at Z time. I look forward to sharing more about my experience and what I can bring to the role and the organization.
Also, I would like to know how the compensation for this role compares with the current market rate for similar positions and job titles.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Check Out: What To Wear For Zoom Job Interview?
8. Use your current salary as a starting point
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If you are currently employed and you happen to be paid highly for the work you do, one of the easiest ways to ask about salary in email before committing to an interview is to simply reveal how much you earn at the moment.
Not only will this approach help you command a higher salary than what they might have offered, it will also make the recruiter or hiring manager take you more seriously. They will think that if your current company feels you are worth this much, then you must be really qualified for your current position.
And if they’re serious about getting you to switch to teams, then they must be prepared to impress you with a better offer. going to waste your time any further if they can’t offer you higher compensation.
Example:
Hi [Employer/Recruiter Name],
Thank you for reaching out to me about interviewing for the [Job title] role at [Company name].
It is an interesting opportunity that I would be happy to pursue.
However, I feel I should let you know that my current role pays a base salary of [120,000] and a bonus of [12%], and I would only be motivated to make a move at this time if I’ll be getting increased compensation.
With this in mind, do you think it’s prudent to move forward with discussions about this role?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Also Read: How To Answer “Why Should We Hire You With No Experience”?
9. Make it about the skills you bring to the table
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Another approach you can take to find out how much a job is paying before you start preparing for interviews is to place emphasis on the value you have to offer, rather than what you’re hoping to get from the job.
So you’re building your question about compensation around the wealth of experience, practical knowledge, and skills that you bring to the job, as well as your eagerness to be a part of the company.
The goal here is to use language that positions you as an active participant in the interview and hiring process, rather than a candidate who is simply content to go along with the flow.
Example:
Hi [Employer/Recruiter Name],
I appreciate your interest in my work history and I will be very glad to interview for this position.
I’m very excited to discuss the specifics of this role further with you. I’m sure that if we decide to work together, we would be able to agree on a salary that reflects the value I’ll bring to your company. In the meantime, can you give me a general idea of the compensation range you’ve anticipated for this position?
Thanks for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Also Read: Things Not To Say In A Job Interview
Tips for writing an email to ask about salary
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The way you approach the salary question can make or break your prospects as a candidate for that job. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when crafting your salary information request email:
1. Keep it professional
Remember that you’re talking to a potential employer and address them in a befitting manner. That means using formal and polite language to communicate what you want to say and ask your question.
Don’t forget to extend a greeting that includes the name of the recipient of your email.
2. Speak positively about the role
Make sure your email demonstrates your enthusiasm for the position and the idea of becoming a part of the company. If the recruiter or hiring manager can sense that you’re genuinely interested in the role, they’d be more open to sharing the salary information so you can proceed with the interview.
3. Reiterate your qualifications and experience
You can emphasize your worth and help the employer see that it’s worthwhile to answer your questions by highlighting your ability to perform excellently in the role.
Bring up your experience and skills to show them how valuable a candidate you are and why it’s best to clarify things upfront to avoid wasting your time and their time.
4. Explain your reasons for asking
You don’t have to get into too many details about why you need to know what the salary range is so you can decide whether to proceed or not.
You can simply say that you are asking because you want to be respectful of everyone’s time or because you’re only able to seriously consider jobs that offer a specific compensation range at this point in your career.
5. Consider the tone of your message
Before you hit send, read and re-read your email to make sure you’ve hit all the right marks and that your tone reflects an interest in the role and the organization. If there’s anything in your message that can be misconstrued, take it out and replace it with a clearer word or phrase.
Check Out: Tips For Writing An Effective Email
Wrapping Up
No matter how skilled you are at interviewing, bringing up the money question can feel like you are about to poke the hornet’s nest and miss out on a chance to land a new job.
Still, it’s important to figure out whether an organization can pay what you’re expecting before wasting time on interviews that will lead to disappointment.
Building your confidence and learning the correct way to ask about salary before an interview will help you overcome these hurdles, so you can focus on jobs that align with your goals.
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