How To Ask How Much a Job Pays in 2023 (with Examples)
Asking How Much a Job Pays
People often shy away from asking a recruiter or hiring manager how much a job pays, as it can feel awkward.
But knowing your potential salary is vital in determining whether a job is right for you. So, how do you ask how much a job pays?
There is a way to get the information you need without being rude or awkward. Read on to find out what you need to ask this question correctly.
Is it rude to ask how much a job pays?
It is not rude to ask how much a job pays because it’s an important part both sides have to agree upon before moving forward.
While it’s often best to keep salary-related questions until later in the process, it’s nice to get a range of where they are before committing your time and effort to a number of different interviews.
The federally mandated minimum wage in the United States is 7.25 U.S. dollars per hour, although the minimum wage varies from state to state.
— BLS
How To Ask How Much a Job Pays in 2023
Start by Doing your research beforehand
The worst mistake you could make is going into a job interview completely blind, which makes doing your research before asking extremely important.
Check sites like Comparably or Glassdoor to understand the company’s salary range and benefits.
Also, read the job description thoroughly to understand all the responsibilities and how much you should be compensated for it. If possible, you can also ask people in similar situations for advice.
Properly word the Question (Example Questions)
Try utilizing a conversational approach when asking how much a particular job pays. Start by expressing your excitement about working with the company, then hit them with how you would bring value to the organization.
- “I’m sure we’ll be able to settle on a salary that matches the value I’ll be adding to your organization. Can you give me an idea regarding what you’ve budgeted for this position?”
- “I know there’s much more to a job than the salary and benefits, but before we get too far into our conversation, I was hoping to get a sense of where you are from a salary standpoint?”
- “I’m interested in this position as it aligns with my background and experience. Is there a particular salary range you had in mind?”
How to ask for more money
There’s nothing wrong with asking for more money during a salary negotiation. Most times, the worst case scenario is they say, “We can’t do that,” which you can still accept.
Here’s an article on how to properly negotiate a salary that might help. But here are the three main things to remember during a salary negotiation:
- Prepare beforehand – know exactly what you are looking for and common market trends
- Clearly explain why you believe you are worth what you are asking for
- Keep any personal reasons for a pay increase out of the conversation – stick to why you deserve it
Related Articles:
- Signs you didn’t get the job after an interview
- How to win over the interviewer
- Career-related terms to know
Wrapping Up | How to ask how much a job pays
As we mentioned, it’s usually best to keep these salary and benefits questions until later in the interview process when you have more leverage. But if you don’t want to waste your time and interview effort, it’s perfectly fine to bring this up right away (doing it the right way).
Never let a specific salary in your head stop you from digging deeper into a potential job. Benefits, culture, and job satisfaction all play a significant role in making your company experience successful.
Letting the interviewer know that you would be willing to work with them to come up with a salary that works for both parties involved is always better than a straight-up “no thanks.”
At the end of the day, you will know what’s best for your career, so don’t take anything less than what you are worth.
We hope this helps, and best of luck in your job search!
Title: How To Ask How Much a Job Pays
Category: Interview
Tags: how to ask how much a job pays, asking about salary, salary question during an interview, how to politely ask how much a job pays, how to ask for more money job offer
Co-Author: Becky is a contributor for theJub. She’s a writing and talent acquisition specialist who loves to apply her skills through creative writing and editing.
