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Talking salary at an interview in English (advanced)

Advanced English for talking salary at an interview. Key line: “Before we both get too invested, could we talk through the salary range for this role?”

Full script

Lin
Before we both get too invested, could we talk through the salary range for this role?
Them
Of course—it's budgeted at eighty to ninety thousand, depending on experience and fit.
Lin
That helps, thanks. Given the scope, where do strong candidates usually land?
Them
Usually near the middle, though we can stretch a bit for someone who can hit the ground running.
Lin
Got it. Based on my background, I'd aim for the upper end—still not quite yacht money.
Them
That's reasonable. If the interviews go well, I could see you around eighty-eight.
Lin
Sounds fair—I just wanted to make sure we weren't both politely dodging the numbers.
Them
Exactly. If we ever reach yacht money, I'll expect a postcard.

Key phrases

The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.

range
✓ Could we talk through the salary range for this role?

polite way to ask about pay

More natural than just asking about salary

position
✓ Where do strong candidates usually land?

Ask where strong candidates usually land

land can mean end up at a level

high end
✓ the upper end

near the top of the range

Common for salary expectations

avoid numbers
✓ politely dodging the numbers

avoiding the exact salary numbers

Good for naming the awkwardness politely

Quick answers

range: what to say in English

Say “Could we talk through the salary range for this role?” — polite way to ask about pay. More natural than just asking about salary.

position: what to say in English

Say “Where do strong candidates usually land?” — ask where strong candidates usually land. land can mean end up at a level.

high end: what to say in English

Say “the upper end” — near the top of the range. Common for salary expectations.

avoid numbers: what to say in English

Say “politely dodging the numbers” — avoiding the exact salary numbers. Good for naming the awkwardness politely.

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