Interview Preparation

How to Handle Salary Expectations During an Interview

By Jobnix Team

This is one of the most predictable questions in any interview, and yet it is the one that trips up the most candidates. "What are your salary expectations?" can feel like a trap. Say a number too high and you risk looking unrealistic. Say a number too low and you risk being underpaid for the next two years. Here is how to handle it with confidence instead of guessing.

Why This Question Feels So Uncomfortable

Most candidates have never been taught how to talk about money professionally. It feels personal, even though for the employer it is simply a practical filtering question. Understanding that the recruiter is not testing your worth, only checking budget alignment, makes the question far less intimidating.

1. Research Before You Walk In

Never enter an interview without a rough idea of what the role typically pays. Look at similar job postings, ask contacts in the industry, or check salary ranges shared in community groups. Walking in with a number range based on research, rather than a guess, changes the entire tone of your answer.

2. Give a Range, Not a Fixed Number

A specific figure can box you in. A well researched range gives the employer room to work with while still protecting your minimum. For example, instead of saying "₦250,000," a candidate might say "my expectation is in the range of ₦230,000 to ₦280,000, depending on the full compensation package."

3. Delay the Number if You Can

If the question comes early, before you fully understand the role's scope, it is reasonable to ask a brief clarifying question first, such as what the responsibilities and reporting structure look like. This is not evasive, it shows you want to give an informed answer rather than a rushed one.

4. Anchor to Value, Not Need

Avoid framing your number around personal expenses or financial need. Employers respond better when your expectation is tied to your skills, experience, and the market rate for the role, not to your personal bills.

5. Stay Calm if They Push Back

If an employer says your range is higher than budgeted, do not panic or immediately drop the number. Ask what the budgeted range actually is, and decide from there whether the full package, including benefits, still makes the role worth pursuing.

What Not to Do

● Do not say "I am flexible" or "whatever you offer is fine." This removes your negotiating position entirely.
● Do not apologize for stating a number, even a high one, as long as it is backed by research.
● Do not lie about a previous salary to try to justify a higher expectation. Many companies verify this during reference checks.

Practice Makes This Feel Natural

Say your expected range out loud before the interview, more than once. Candidates who have rehearsed the sentence sound confident. Candidates hearing themselves say the number for the first time in the interview often sound hesitant, even when the number itself is reasonable.

Walk Into Salary Conversations Prepared

Jobnix job listings often include salary ranges upfront, giving you a clearer starting point before you even reach the interview stage. Visit jobnix.ng to find roles with transparent pay information, so you can walk into salary conversations already informed.