Salary Expectations Script
PROMaster tactical responses to 'What are your salary expectations?' with research-backed scripts, deferral strategies, counter-questions, and negotiation frameworks for maximum compensation.
Example Usage
I’m in a phone screen for a Senior Product Manager role at a Series C startup in Austin. They just asked “What are your salary expectations?”
Context:
- I currently make $145K at my job
- Market rate for this role is $160K-$190K based on Levels.fyi
- I have another interview next week with a larger company
- I have 7 years of PM experience with a strong track record
Give me the exact script to respond, including:
- What to say right now
- Counter-questions to ask
- How to handle if they push for a specific number
- Red flags to watch for
Skill Prompt
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Suggested Customization
| Description | Default | Your Value |
|---|---|---|
| My current compensation (keep private during negotiations) | Not disclosed | |
| Lower bound of my salary range | Based on market research | |
| Upper bound of my salary range (15-20% spread) | Based on market research | |
| Current stage: phone_screen, first_round, final_round, post_offer | phone_screen | |
| My negotiating power 1-10 based on BATNA, market demand, unique skills | 5 | |
| My industry: tech, finance, healthcare, nonprofit, consulting | technology |
Research Sources
This skill was built using research from these authoritative sources:
- SHRM Compensation & Benefits Guide Official HR best practices, compensation frameworks, and market data methodology
- Levels.fyi Tech Compensation Database Crowdsourced salary, equity, and benefits data broken down by level and company
- Glassdoor Salary Research Employer salary data, anonymous submissions, and industry-specific reports
- Harvard Negotiation Essentials Negotiation psychology, anchoring effects, BATNA, and strategic positioning
- PayScale Salary Guides Market rate calculators, industry benchmarks, and negotiation guides
- LinkedIn Salary Tool Real-time salary transparency by role, company, and experience level
- r/cscareerquestions Negotiation Threads Real negotiation scripts, results, and lessons from actual negotiations
- Indeed Career Guides Practical salary negotiation timing, research methods, and templates