Why do employers bother asking your salary expectation when they just offer what they think you’re worth?

[Anonymous]

I’ve found generally that your expectation has little to do with what they actually offer you.

[Anonymous]

Employers ask about salary expectations for a number of reasons. Firstly, they want to ensure that the candidate's salary expectations are in line with the company's budget and compensation structure. If a candidate's expectation is significantly higher than what the company is willing to offer, it may not be a good fit.

Secondly, employers may ask about salary expectations to gauge the candidate's level of experience and qualifications. If a candidate's expectation is much lower than what the company is willing to pay, it may suggest that the candidate is less experienced or qualified than other candidates.

Finally, employers may use salary expectations as a starting point for negotiations. By asking the candidate about their expectations, they can begin a conversation about compensation and work towards a mutually beneficial agreement.

It's true that a candidate's salary expectation may not necessarily determine what the employer offers. However, by being honest and transparent about your expectations, you can ensure that you are not wasting your time or the employer's time if your expectations are far apart. It's also important to do research on the industry standards for your position and experience level to have a realistic expectation. Ultimately, the goal is to have a fair and reasonable compensation package that reflects your value and contributions to the company.

[Agape93]

If I have a job opening worth 55k a year, and my applicant thinks his salary for that job is 30k, I'll be " generous " and bump it up to 35k. Makes them happy, saves me money and makes me look good.

[Asker]

Is this likely to happen?

[Agape93]

Yeah, it's part of why office's have such a disparity in pay between people doing the same jobs and why employers ask you not to discuss salaries

[Asker]

Is this in the US?

[Agape93]

Yeap

[Asker]

Also how accurate are the average salaries on glassdoor?

[Agape93]

No idea, it largely depends but that's a broad average, and doesn't factor in qualifications, state or company budget. My salary is 33k a year, but at a bigger company, it could easily be 40k.

[Anonymous]

To see if they can rip you off and make sure you won't strike/protest for a massive pay increase