Precise offer vs. range offer

One quick question:

 

When I am asked in a job interview what my salary expectations are and I have a precise idea of my reservation price. Is it better to make a selective offer or a range?

 

Example: I want at least 4500 for the job. With which tactics do I go into the negotiation. Do I go in and say I want 4950 or is it better if I say between 4700 and 5000 to start?

 

Among other things, I have no comparable information about the salaries for this position and company.

 

 

Answer: 

Generally speaking, a range offer works better than a precise first offer, and this is especially true when you are not sure about the reservation price of the employers – it does not appear to be aggressive/impolite, and it does not reveal too much about your reservation value. You could say 4900 to 5600 as the range offer, which would work better than 4950.

 

In addition, you can/should combine the range offer with other issues: “I can do something around 4900 to 5600, depending on the package, including bonus, vacation, relocation compensation, etc.” In this way, it shows some of your flexibility.

 

That said, it would be greatly helpful to know the industry standard for the position to find a more informed range offer. If you are completely in the dark, it is difficult to make an effective offer. Websites like Glassdoor, salary.com might have some information on the salaries of the position.

 

Many current textbooks on negotiation do not mention range offers, because the effectiveness of range offers has only been accepted by negotiators in recent years.