Pay Day
Your annual salary and benefits are not typically discussed in the first interview. However, you should be prepared to respond should the question be asked.
Visit online salary guides to determine what the market statisticians have determined the position is worth. Take into account your education, credentials, and experience, which you may need to use to support your negotiation. Develop a salary range—the minimum you are willing to accept to your ideal salary.
Delaying the salary discussion until later in the process and allowing the interviewer to initiate the dialogue works to your advantage. It gives you an opportunity to learn more about the role and the value you will add, which in turn gives you more leverage for the negotiation and more data to inform your optimal salary range.
Add It All Up
Keep in mind that you should consider the compensation package (salary and benefits) rather than just the “salary number.” Other benefits that add to the total value of your pay package include professional development opportunities (such as reimbursement for class tuition, training courses, etc), generous vacation allowances, transportation reimbursement, flexible work hours/arrangements, onsite daycare, and more.