Salary Negotiation

How to Answer "What Are Your Salary Expectations?" (Scripts Included)

5 min read·July 2026

No interview question transfers more money based purely on how you phrase the answer. The same candidate, same company, same budget — a weak answer costs hundreds of dollars a month, forever. Here are the scripts.

The three rules before any script

Never give a single number. A range keeps you negotiating; a number ends it.
Anchor high. You cannot negotiate up from your own opening. Open at the top of your researched range.
Justify with value, not need. "My rent went up" is not leverage. "40+ shipped products" is.

Script 1: The standard question

They ask: "What are your salary expectations?"

"Based on my research for senior remote roles in this market and the scope we discussed, I am targeting the $X–$Y range. That reflects my N years and [concrete proof point]. That said, fit matters most to me — I am confident we can align if the match is right."

Why it works: the range anchors, the proof justifies, and the fit line keeps the conversation warm instead of adversarial.

Script 2: They ask before you are ready

Recruiters often ask in the first screen — before you know the scope. You are allowed to bounce it once:

"I would love to understand the role scope first. Could you share the band budgeted for this position?"

About half the time, they will just tell you — and now they have anchored. If they push back, give your range with Script 1.

Script 3: "That is above our budget"

"I understand — help me understand the band for this level? If base is fixed, I am open to creative structures: a six-month review with defined targets, equipment budget, or additional leave. What flexibility exists?"

This does two things: it makes them reveal the actual ceiling, and it moves the negotiation to levers they CAN say yes to. Trade — do not concede.

Script 4: "We need your answer today"

Pressure tactics are information. A company that will not give you 24 hours to consider a multi-year commitment is telling you something.

"I appreciate the urgency, and I am seriously excited about this. A decision this important deserves a clear head — I will confirm by tomorrow morning. If that timeline creates a real problem, help me understand it."

Never accept in the same call. Not because you are playing games — because decisions made under pressure are systematically worse, and everyone in the room knows it.

Do the homework the night before

Write two numbers on paper before any negotiation call:

Target — the number you would be happy with (open 10–15% above it)
Walk-away — below this, the offer is not worth what you are giving up

Then practice saying your opening number out loud five times, until it comes out without flinching. The flinch is what costs you — not the number.

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