Target Salary: A Number, or "Negotiable"?
One of the fields people hesitate over most on an application or in an interview is target salary. Write too high and you worry about being screened out; write too low and it feels like leaving money on the table. The right answer depends on your situation.
When stating a specific number works better
If you already know the market average for your role and experience, state a specific number. A grounded case like "given my position relative to the average, I'm targeting this figure" is more convincing to a recruiter than a vague range or an evasive non-answer. Before you settle on a number, check your average position for your role and experience with the Salary Negotiation Calculator.
When a range or "negotiable" works better
In the early stage of an application, before you know the company's pay scale or compensation level, it can be safer to leave room with a range ("X–Y% of my current salary") or write "negotiable based on company standards." Locking in a number with too little information can end up shrinking your own leverage.
3 practical tips
- Precompute a raise percentage based on your current salary so you can answer immediately if asked for a specific number in an interview.
- Use a different strategy depending on whether target salary comes up at the application stage or right before an offer — see Negotiation Timing for details.
- When you state a number, be clear whether it's base salary only or total compensation (base + bonus). Leaving it ambiguous lets the company interpret it in their favor.
※ For general information only — adjust to fit company and industry norms.