What is your current salary and what is your salary expectation?

Before accepting or asking any offer, it is important to know what package is offered by similar companies for same post. Such question may have following possible intention.

Possible Intention:

• To know if you are aware of salary ranges offered for specific job.
• To know how you price yourself for job, exorbitantly high or low.

Insights:

• You need to know the salary offered for a job with your skills and experience.
• If you are asking a good hike considering you current pay package then justify what skills and experience you have added after starting your current job.
• Remember that this question does not indicate that you are hired and salary negotiate would start.

Example Answer:

My current salary is $ xxxx per month/per annum. I learnt a couple of technologies and tools like Weblogic application server and business process management suite. I have successfully executed two projects on Java technology using the said tools. Considering this, I think I am worth more and expect around 30 percent raise.

Anti Pattern:

• Do not give a figure; better give a range.
• Do not start negotiating, the job is not yet offered.
• Do not hesitate. State assertively what your worth is.

Interviewer's Interpretation:

• Knowledge of typical salary ranges shows your initiative and good homework.