When to negotiate your salary - During or after the job interview?

The big question….

Do you raise the salary issue at your interview?

Answer… it depends….

You usually specify your current salary in your covering letter, resume or CV.

This means that your salary expectations are known, to some extent, by your prospective employer. It is therefore not appropriate that you start negotiating your salary during the interview. Rather wait until you have been offered the job, and then start with the salary negotiations.

If your interviewer asks you your salary expectations during the interview, only then should you advise him or her of your salary requirements.

What is salary?

When it comes to your salary expectations, becareful that you understand what is being said about your salary, or what you are asking for in terms of your salary.

There are many different terms that are used when referring to salary, so make sure you know what is being said…… it all make a difference on the monetary value of your salary, at the end of the day.

BASIC SALARY - this is usually your cash salary, before any perks, commissions or bonuses

Cost to company salary

Cost to company salary is a total salary package, including your benefits. If a cost to company (CTC) salary is quoted, it means that the value of your medical aid, pension etc have been added to your basic salary figure.

Your CTC figure might sound substantial, but when the benefits are excluded, may look a bit measly! CTC may also be called your Total Package Salary.

When Do I begin Negotiating my Salary?

It is best to wait until you have received your job offer in writing. Thereafter you can fully understand what salary is being offered to you, and you can go away and do your homework. Put a value to your experience and understand what income you need in order to meet your expenses and savings plan.