Advanced· C1Job interviews11 min

Job interview: discussing salary expectations

Answer the salary question with a researched range and keep the conversation open.

The scene

Near the end of a final-round interview for a data analyst role, the hiring manager asks about your salary expectations.

Speaker A
Hiring manager
Speaker B
You (candidate)

Your goals

  • Give a researched salary range confidently
  • Mention the whole package, not only base pay
  • Keep flexibility without underselling yourself

Key vocabulary

Press the speaker to hear each word or phrase.

  • salary expectations

    the pay you hope to receive in a new job

    What are your salary expectations?

  • base salary

    the fixed pay before bonuses and benefits

    The base salary is fixed for the first year.

  • benefits

    extras such as health insurance or vacation days

    The benefits package is very good.

  • package

    the full offer: salary, bonus and benefits together

    I'd look at the package as a whole.

  • negotiable

    can be discussed and changed

    Is the salary negotiable?

  • to be flexible

    to be willing to change or adapt

    I'm flexible on the start date.

  • ballpark figure

    an approximate number

    Can you give me a ballpark figure?

Useful phrases

  • Based on my research and experience, I'm looking for …

    Giving a range with justification

  • Could you tell me the budgeted range for this role?

    Asking the employer for their numbers

  • I'd also want to consider the full package.

    Bringing in benefits

  • There's some flexibility, depending on …

    Showing openness without lowering your number

  • I'm confident we can find a number that works for both of us.

    Ending positively

Practice studio: speak the dialogue

Pick your role and press Start. Your partner's lines are read aloud; then say your line into the microphone (or type it) and see which words you got right.

Your role

  1. Hiring manager

    Before we finish, what are your salary expectations for this role?

  2. You (candidate)

    Thanks for asking. Could you tell me the budgeted range for the position first?

  3. Hiring manager

    We have a range, but I'd like to hear your expectations.

  4. You (candidate)

    Of course. Based on my research and my five years of experience, I'm looking for between seventy and seventy-eight thousand.

  5. Hiring manager

    That's at the upper end of our range.

  6. You (candidate)

    I understand. I'd also want to consider the full package, such as bonuses, training budget and remote work.

  7. Hiring manager

    We offer a performance bonus and two remote days a week.

  8. You (candidate)

    That's helpful. With those benefits, there's some flexibility in the base salary.

  9. Hiring manager

    Good to know. We'll discuss it internally and get back to you this week.

  10. You (candidate)

    Great. I'm confident we can find a number that works for both of us.

You speak 5 lines as You (candidate); Hiring manager is read aloud for you.

Speech recognition is done by your browser (in Chrome and Edge this uses the browser maker's online service). Nothing is stored by AltFTool.

Your turn: speak freely

Answer out loud in your own words. There is no score here: aim for full sentences and fewer filler words.

  1. 1. State a salary range for a job you know and explain what it is based on.

  2. 2. Ask the interviewer about the budgeted range in a polite way.

  3. 3. Explain which benefits matter most to you and why.

Quick quiz

Choose an answer to see if you are right and why.

  1. 1. What is a 'package' in salary talks?
  2. 2. Why give a range instead of one number?
  3. 3. What does 'ballpark figure' mean?
  4. 4. Which ending keeps the conversation positive?

0 of 4 answered

Common mistakes

  • Avoid: I will accept anything.

    Say: Based on my research, I'm looking for between seventy and seventy-eight thousand.

    Saying you will accept anything weakens your position.

  • Avoid: My salary expectative is high.

    Say: My salary expectations are…

    The noun is 'expectations', usually plural.

  • Avoid: Is the salary negotiate?

    Say: Is the salary negotiable?

    Use the adjective 'negotiable'.

Tips

  • Research typical salaries for the role and city before the interview.
  • Make the bottom of your range a number you would truly be happy with.
  • Practice saying your range aloud; numbers are easy to stumble over under pressure.

Questions about this lesson

How do you answer 'What are your salary expectations?' in English?

Say 'Based on my research and experience, I'm looking for between… and…' Then mention you would consider the full package.

How do you say large numbers like 75,000 in English?

Say 'seventy-five thousand'. For 75,500 say 'seventy-five thousand five hundred'. Do not add -s to 'thousand' after a number.

Finish the lesson

Finish the practice studio and the quiz and this lesson is marked complete for you.

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