How will You Answer the Question : “What is Your Salary Expectation?”

What is your salary expectation? is the most important question that is asked in every type of job interview. You may not be given the job if your salary expectations are more than what the employer can give you. So you will have to be very cautious while giving the answer to “What are your salary expectations?”

The salary expectations vary a lot. The expected salary for fresher will be different from the experienced fellow. Even the candidate having degree will have different salary expectations than the candidate having diploma. In addition to this there are many factors like profile, benefits, incentives, location, market et al that determine the salary. But the big question still remains there it is that How will you answer the question : “What is your salary expectation?” To answer this question consider the following points.

As a Fresher
If you are a fresher than the company's standard, pay packages and market condition will determine the salary for you. As a fresher you cannot demand more as you need more of learning than the salary. But if you really have a sound knowledge and matching qualification then you expected salary can be more than the other freshers. To answer the salary expectation question you can mention your education and academic achievements while giving a salary range.

As an Experienced Fellow
You will have to look other aspects as well if you have experience in the industry. You need position and growth opportunities along with good salary. Like if you are being given good position then salary is not the most important thing. Also while deciding the salary do check the quality of people you are working with, location and culture of the company et al. Make sure to prepare yourself to answer the question if you find the salary by the employer at interview is less than your expectation and industry's present status. Keep in mind the following things while giving salary expectations answer:

Market Scenario
Before facing the interview it is better to check the market scenario and the present pay scales of the industry. Find out the candidate having similar experience and education. If possible get the package he or she is drawing. You can expect the similar package. The companies that you are comparing for salary must be similar in size, status and value in the market. market.
Job Profile
Job profile is an important factor that determine the salary expectations. Executive level cannot have more salary than the managerial level candidate. So you cannot expect more than that particular job profile is giving you. Find out what salaries are given at that particular profile. You can check your organization and other organization to reach at average figure for the salary demand.
Location of the Company
If the company is located in the small city that may be for the same profile you will be offered less salary than the organization that is located in the big city or in metro. So while saying the salary part you will have to consider this important aspect as well.
Incentives
In many types of jobs like BPO jobs generally client incentives are add on to salary that vary each month depending upon your performance. If the employer is telling you the incentive schemes then consider that also while deciding on your salary expectations.
Work Responsibilities
Try to pull out the information related to your work responsibilities in the organization during the interview. Sometimes the work responsibilities are more than the salary. Try to match these two factors and then decide your expected salary.
Benefits
Consider the other benefits of position, compensation packages and quality of learning. If these are more than the salary then the salary can go to the back seat. Working in the environment that is giving you good learning and experience is better than the company that is only giving the high salary.
Your Financial Needs
Consider this as well while answering for salary expectation. But never explain your financial situation to the employer. Try to make the balance between your financial need and the salary that is given in the industry for that profile.

Also while answering the question : What is your salary expectations never give one solid figure but give the range that you are expecting.

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Get Ready for Your Performance Appraisal

You have worked so hard and now is the time for the day when your hard work will be recognized and your contribution to the organization in terms of revenue and business growth will be measured. In many offices the first performance appraisal is generally done after the six months of joining and the following appraisals are annual. In some organizations even half yearly appraisals are also done. Some of the organizations do the appraisal in the month of March. So it really depends upon the company policy that define the time and period for performance appraisal.

The main objective of the performance appraisal is to provide feedback to improve the performance. Also new targets are set for the next period. In the performance appraisal any training need is also addressed and candidate is shown new growth opportunities. The employee in turn gets his or her salary raised because of the past performance.

You be in engineering job, hospitality job, Information & Technology or any other kind of job, performance appraisal must not be taken lightly so you must get ready for your appraisal before time.
Check the following points before going for the performance appraisal interview:

Collect your Work
Make the list of work that you have done from the beginning of the appraisal period till date. Accentuate the achievements and recognitions. This can be a long process but it will prove beneficial. You can note down the percentage of growth that has been resulted with your performance. If your work deals with client, like in case of communication jobs, then make sure to collect all the evidences that are pointing towards applaud or appreciation. These will really support your work.

Participate in the Discussion
Performance appraisal is all about discussion so it is better to participate in the discussion as it is related to your performance and its appraisal. This is the time when you can tell your training needs or things that your are capable of doing. Tell your evaluator that your are ready to get new responsibilities.

Complete Your Task
To get good appraisal be an excellent worker and live up to the expectation of your boss. Do not hesitate to do extra work if required and do take the extra responsibilities. Complete the given task on time and with 100% quality. These activities are followed in the normal routine that is before and after the performance appraisal.

Stay Confident
It is very important to stay confident while sitting for the performance appraisal interview. Your confidence will show that you are aware of what you have done so far and what you can contribute towards the growth of the organization further which in turn will help you in getting good appraisal.

Listen to Your Evaluator
Your evaluator will discuss your strengths and weakness. So be a good listener. Never a argue unnecessarily as this will spoil the performance appraisal. You can speak for the point that you feel is wrong but once your evaluator has stopped talking. Also talk sensibly, to the point and about your performance.

Be Objective
While evaluating your performance your evaluator will judge your performance not you as a person. So never personalize what your evaluator is saying about your performance. Listen to the suggestions.

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