Talking about salary makes many candidates uncomfortable. Avoid it too long and you risk wasting time. Handle it poorly and you risk pricing yourself out or underselling yourself.
The key isn’t when salary comes up. It’s how you talk about it.
Know your range before conversations start.
You should know your current compensation, your realistic market range, and your walk-away number. Think in ranges, not single numbers.
Let the Employer Go First When Possible
A strong response sounds like:
“I’m open to learning more about the role, but I’m generally targeting roles in the X–Y range.”
Frame Salary in Context
Connect compensation to scope, expectations, and market alignment, not emotion.
Be Honest
Inflation almost always backfires later in the process.
Remember: Alignment matters more than winning the negotiation.