Each piece of research we do at Zvitambo is a tribute to mothers and the children who depend on them. Today, we celebrate you. #MothersDay#MaternalHealth#Zvitambo
This is how you handle the tricky question: “What is your expected salary or package for this role?”
Avoid getting into salary discussions before you have been identified as the preferred candidate. If an employer invites you for interviews and then eliminates you purely on affordability, that is a red flag. If cost was a constraint, they should have disclosed the salary range in the job advert so candidates can self-select out.
When asked early in the process, a strong response is: “I would be happy to discuss the package once I have been identified as the right candidate. At this stage, I want to focus on demonstrating my suitability for the role.”
If you decide to answer, do it carefully. Do not disclose your current salary because employers tend to anchor negotiations around it. Instead, position yourself around the market. For example: “Based on my understanding, the market range for this role is between $2,200 and $3,800 per month, and I would be comfortable towards the upper end of that range.” This shows you are informed and prevents unnecessary underpricing.
Another safe alternative is to shift the responsibility back to the employer’s structure: “I believe you have a pay structure with defined ranges for this role. I would appreciate receiving an offer within that structure, which we can then discuss.”
This keeps the discussion grounded in their system rather than your history.
Do not allow a new employer to use your current earnings to determine your future pay. Your current salary may reflect poor negotiation, a weak employer, or a completely different context. It is not a reliable measure of your value in a new role.
In reality, this question should not even arise. Employers should simply make an offer based on what the role is worth within their pay structure.
@ipcconsultants
The PLAY study wrapped up a 16-day CHW training prog on Integrated Nurturing Care Intervention at Tongogara Clinic in Shurugwi District! Our dedicated CHWs are now fully equipped to provide holistic, integrated support to mothers and children in our community.