Expected salary: do not undersell yourself
The salary question often comes early in an interview, before you have had a chance to demonstrate your full value. It is a classic trap: name a number too soon and you anchor the entire negotiation to the bottom of the employer's range before you have even made your case. The good news is that you are under no obligation to reveal your current pay — and you have more control over this moment than you might think.
What the recruiter is really after
The recruiter primarily wants to know whether your salary expectations fit within the role's budget. They are also gauging your market awareness and your confidence in self-positioning. A panicked or vague answer can signal poor preparation, or worse, an insecurity the employer will exploit when negotiating the offer.
How to answer
- Flip the question: ask for the budgeted range first. 'Could you share the salary band attached to this role?' This is entirely reasonable and is often welcomed.
- Provide a research-backed range: if pressed, quote a range drawn from salary surveys and comparable job postings. Start from your acceptable minimum and leave room at the top.
- Disclose your current pay only if unavoidable: in many jurisdictions you have no legal obligation to share it. If you do, clarify that it does not reflect your current market value.
Sample answer
'Before I give you a specific figure, I would love to understand the full scope of the role and the responsibilities involved. Based on my experience and current market data for this type of role, I am targeting a range of £55,000 to £62,000 — though I am happy to discuss the broader package.'
The mistake to avoid
Never use your current salary as a starting point, especially if you are underpaid in your current role. That number instantly becomes the anchor for the entire negotiation. Equally, avoid a vague response with nothing to follow — it signals you have not thought about your own worth.
Practise
Salary negotiation is hard to wing. Run a mock interview on Take a mock interview, practise delivering your answer under realistic pressure, and get a detailed coaching report on how you handle sensitive questions like this one.