Interview Prep · True or False
Is it true that if they ask for your salary expectations, giving a wide range is the safest strategy?
False. Companies almost always anchor to the lowest number in your range. State a specific, research-backed target.
Companies almost always anchor to the bottom of a range, so a specific research-backed target protects you from being paid to the low end by default.
Offering a wide range to seem flexible, and handing the employer permission to pick your lowest number.
This scenario is one of 500 in the Skillful Interview Prep track. Each card states a situation, you decide true or false, and the explanation follows immediately.
- Answer
- False
- Track
- Interview Prep
- Topics
- salary-negotiation, answer-framing
Also asked as
Should i give a salary range or a specific number? How do i answer salary expectations? Why does a wide salary range backfire?
The scenario in full
If they ask for your salary expectations, giving a wide range is the safest strategy.
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that if they ask for your salary expectations, giving a wide range is the safest strategy?
False. Companies almost always anchor to the lowest number in your range. State a specific, research-backed target.
Should i give a salary range or a specific number?
False. Companies almost always anchor to the lowest number in your range. State a specific, research-backed target. Companies almost always anchor to the bottom of a range, so a specific research-backed target protects you from being paid to the low end by default.
How do i answer salary expectations?
False. Companies almost always anchor to the lowest number in your range. State a specific, research-backed target. Companies almost always anchor to the bottom of a range, so a specific research-backed target protects you from being paid to the low end by default.
Why does a wide salary range backfire?
False. Companies almost always anchor to the lowest number in your range. State a specific, research-backed target. Companies almost always anchor to the bottom of a range, so a specific research-backed target protects you from being paid to the low end by default.
Where does this interview prep question come from?
It is one of 500 scenarios in the Skillful Interview Prep track. Each card states a realistic situation, you decide true or false, and the explanation follows immediately.
How do I practise more questions like this?
Start the Interview Prep quiz. It runs about two minutes per session, the first 150 questions are free across every category, and your progress saves automatically.