Key takeaways
Before applying, check what salary or salary range is currently standard for your role and in your region.Base your salary expectations on your experience, your qualifications and the specific responsibilities of the new role.State your desired gross annual salary as specifically as possible or within a narrow range.Don’t automatically ask for more just because you’re changing jobs, but don’t sell yourself short either.In addition to the base salary, consider bonuses, fringe benefits and other components of the overall package.
“Please state your salary expectations in your application.” Anyone who reads this sentence in a job advertisement quickly starts doing the maths: How much do I actually want to earn? Are my expectations realistic? And how do I phrase them without setting the bar too high or too low?
Many job adverts state that applicants should specify their salary expectations. This is understandable, as it allows an employer to quickly see whether the budget and expectations are even compatible.
For applicants, this raises the question of what is realistic. If you aim too high, it can put the employer off. If you aim too low, you unnecessarily limit your own options.
This article shows you how to determine your own market value and arrive at a realistic assessment. We also explain where this information should be included in your application and how to phrase it.
In this article you can read about:
When do I need to state my salary expectations in my application?
The job advert will usually indicate whether you should state a salary expectation. If this is explicitly requested, you should comply. Conversely, if there is no specific request, you can choose not to include it.
From the employer’s perspective, your figure serves as an initial guide. HR managers want to gauge whether their own expectations regarding remuneration are broadly in line with those of the applicant, or whether further clarification is needed.
Companies often accept applications online. The relevant forms frequently include a field for stating your desired salary. In such cases, it is generally unnecessary to state your salary expectations a second time, for example in your cover letter.
What exactly should I state as my salary expectation?
To be able to state a salary expectation, you first need to know exactly what is meant by this: gross? Net? And what about benefits, which are now an integral part of the remuneration package in many companies?
Unless the job description states otherwise, a salary expectation generally refers to the gross annual salary. The figures you provide should therefore relate to your expected base salary.
Where relevant to the specific role, you should consider variable components, bonuses or other additional benefits separately. It is important here that applicants and employers are talking about the same thing to avoid misunderstandings. A remuneration package can be broken down into the following components:
Base salaryVariable remuneration/bonusesAdditional benefits and non-cash benefits
How do I determine a realistic salary expectation?
You no doubt have a clear idea of what you would like to earn. You may already have a figure in mind, and your current salary serves as a starting point. However, to find out whether your expectations are realistic, you should first check what the current market rate is for your role.
The Salary Guide from Robert Half offers some guidance. The Salary Calculator allows you to see the current starting salaries, paid for different roles in Switzerland. The figures are based on real salary data from successful placements made by Robert Half.
The overview shows three percentiles for each role, reflecting differences in professional experience and qualifications:
25th percentile: entry-level professionals, junior roles and starting salaries for new roles 50th percentile: substantial professional experience + the majority of the required skills75th percentile: above-average qualifications with rare skills and/or extensive professional experience
The percentiles provide an initial guide; however, several factors are relevant when determining an individual’s salary expectation, including:
Work experience Qualifications and sought-after specialist knowledgeDuties and scope of responsibilityManagement responsibilitiesPosition or departmentRegionCompany size (if applicable) or other employment conditions
How much should I ask for when changing jobs?
It is understandable to expect a salary increase when changing jobs: if I’m making a change, I want to improve my situation – including my salary. So, should I simply add 10% to my current salary? That may well be a legitimate approach, but there is no fixed rule for it.
Whatever your expectations, they should always be well-founded. A higher salary is justified, for example, if the new role warrants it because the level of responsibility increases. It is also crucial that your expectations reflect your market value.
However, changing jobs alone does not automatically justify a higher salary. Is your current salary below market value, or will you be taking on additional or more demanding tasks in the new role? If so, there’s a strong case for asking for a higher salary as well.
How do I state my salary expectations in my application?
If requested, you can state your salary expectations in the application form or towards the end of your cover letter.
It is best to quote a specific figure or a narrow range to show that you are open to negotiation. Base your figure on your gross annual salary and be sure to avoid giving a long and detailed explanation of your expectations, or even justifying them.
If your expectations are above the usual market rate, you will have good reasons for this. You should also communicate these to your potential new employer. Your current salary is your own business. However, it can sometimes make sense to mention your current salary, for example if you are already earning a good salary and wish to maintain that level at the very least.
These examples show you how to state your salary expectations:
You do not need to disclose your current salary. Instead, focus on the market value of the role and the overall package you would expect.
If you’re currently on a relatively low salary, it’s best not to mention your current salary, but simply state your salary expectations for the new job:
"I would be looking for a gross annual salary of around CHF 75,000."
If your salary expectations are comparatively high, emphasise your individual skills to briefly justify them:
"Based on my experience and specialist expertise, I would be looking for a gross annual salary of around CHF 90,000."
If you are open to negotiation, state a salary range or a ‘target salary’. This signals that there is still some flexibility regarding the exact figure:
“I would be looking for a gross annual salary of around CHF 90,000, depending on the overall compensation package.”
Can I still negotiate my salary expectations later on?
The salary expectation you stated in your application isn’t set in stone. The full scope of the job often only becomes clear as the interviews progress. Perhaps additional tasks will be added, or perhaps the level of responsibility is greater than initially thought.
In that case, a different salary expectation may be justified – particularly if you initially aimed too low. Accordingly, you should only finalise the salary and terms once you have a clear picture of the role.
Also bear in mind that the base salary is only part of the overall package. We have compiled a list of the additional benefits employers offer and employees look for in our latest Salary Guide.
You can achieve a realistic assessment of your salary expectations by weighing up your market value, the position you’re aiming for, and your experience and qualifications. Avoid both setting your sights too high and selling yourself short. In your application, the figure you quote is a starting point, not a final decision. What ultimately matters to you is the agreed overall package.
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