Job interviews are a very important part of getting a new job. They give candidates a chance to show off their skills, experience, and personalities while also learning more about the company and its culture.
This question can be hard to answer in an interview in the UAE because of culture differences and the way the market works there.
Learn about salaries in your area Before they ask “what are your salary expectations”
Before going to an interview in the United Arab Emirates, it’s important to know how salaries work there.
Find out how much similar jobs in your industry pay on average, taking into account things like experience level, business size, and location in the UAE.
Websites like salary surveys and job portals can give you useful information about how much people in your area usually make.
Keep in mind that salaries in the UAE can vary a lot depending on things like the business, how much demand there is for your skills, and how much competition there is.
Having this information gives you the power to give a reasonable and well-informed answer about your salary expectations when asked.
If you can, put off details
Most of the time, it’s best to wait to give a specific salary number until you know more about the job, the company’s expectations, and the whole compensation package.
Redirect the question by saying that you’re excited about the job and want to learn more about the responsibilities and opportunities it brings.
Say that you’re willing to talk about pay once you know more about how your skills and experience match up with the company’s needs.
You could say, “I’m glad to have the chance to contribute to this role and learn more about the responsibilities that come with it.” I think that because of my skills and knowledge, I would be a good addition to the team.
Once I know more about the whole pay package and what’s expected of me in the job, I’d be happy to talk about my salary goals.”
Provide a Range
Most of the time, it’s best to wait to give a specific salary number until you know more about the job, the company’s expectations, and the whole compensation package.
Redirect the question by saying that you’re excited about the job and want to learn more about the responsibilities and opportunities it brings.
Say that you’re willing to talk about pay once you know more about how your skills and experience match up with the company’s needs.
You could say, “I’m glad to have the chance to contribute to this role and learn more about the responsibilities that come with it.” I think that because of my skills and knowledge, I would be a good addition to the team.
Once I know more about the whole pay package and what’s expected of me in the job, I’d be happy to talk about my salary goals.”
Point out the total pay
The base pay is not the only part of compensation. Benefits, allowances, bonuses, and other perks are often part of it as well. In the UAE, employers may offer benefits like housing allowances, transportation allowances, health insurance, and yearly bonuses. Wikipedia
Don’t just talk about the base salary when you talk about your salary goals. Think about the whole package. I’d like to talk about the whole package, including any extra perks that might be offered.”
Focus on changing and growing
During the interview, talk about how much you want to grow in the company and how much you want to help the team. Say that you’re more interested in getting paid based on how well you do your job and how much you contribute.
I have a general number in mind, but I’m willing to talk about pay based on how well I do my job and how valuable I am to the team.
Practice Cultural Sensitivity
In the UAE, talking about money can sometimes be seen as rude, especially at the beginning of a chat. Approach the topic with respect for other cultures and as an expert.
Carefully choose your words and keep a polite tone throughout the talk.
I want to reassure you that I’m thinking about this subject in a way that takes into account neighbourhood customs and expectations.”
Expect counteroffers
When you say how much money you want, the employer might make you a counteroffer.
Plan for this possibility by thinking about how you would react ahead of time.
If the counteroffer is lower than what you wanted, you might want to talk about why you wanted what you wanted in the first place and how your skills and experience support them.
Be sure to keep a friendly tone: “I appreciate your offer, and I’m excited about the chance. Based on my past work and research into the business, I had a different range in mind at first.
Can we talk about how we can get our standards to match?”
In the UAE, where cultural norms and the local job market play a big role, it can be challenging to answer the enquiry, “What are your salary expectations?” to an interview.
You can answer this question with confidence and professionalism if you know how salaries work in the area, if you don’t give specifics unless you have to, if you give a reasonable range, if you highlight total compensation, if you emphasise flexibility and growth, if you’re sensitive to cultural differences, and if you’re ready for counteroffers.
