What Should You Say When Asked About Salary Expectations as a Fresher?

There’s this particular moment in interviews that almost every fresher dreads.

You’re answering questions, trying not to fumble, cracking a nervous smile.

And then the interviewer says, “What are your salary expectations?”

The room goes quiet for a second.
You feel your brain hit pause.
Suddenly you’re not sure what to say.

In your head:
“What if I say too much? What if I ask for too little? What if I look greedy? What if they think I don’t know anything?”

The silence drags.
You wish you could disappear into your chair.

Here’s the truth:
No one is born knowing how to talk about money in interviews.
It feels awkward because you haven’t done it before.

But this question isn’t a trap.
It’s just a test:
Do you know what you’re worth?
Do you know what is fair?
Can you have a grown-up conversation, even when you’re nervous?

Here’s what we’ve noticed:
Most freshers either freeze completely, or blurt out whatever number comes to mind.
Some just say, “I’m fine with whatever is offered.”

But here’s the thing.
If you say you’ll take anything, you sound like you haven’t done your homework.
If you ask for a number way above entry level, you sound out of touch.
If you sit in silence, you leave the decision entirely up to them.

Maybe no one has told you this before.
You’re allowed to talk about money.
You’re allowed to have a number.
But your number needs to be real.

So how do you find it?

You do what most people skip.
You research.

Open job portals.
Check the salary ranges for similar roles in your city.
Check in your field.
Ask seniors or people just one or two years ahead what they started with.

Remember, HRs have seen every kind of fresher answer before.
It’s not about the exact number.
It’s about whether it makes sense.

You’re not expected to know everything.
But you are expected to come prepared.

So you can say something like:
“Based on my research, I’ve seen entry-level salaries for this role are usually between ₹X and ₹Y.
I’m comfortable in that range.”

You don’t have to quote an exact number unless asked.
You don’t have to justify why you deserve 10 lakhs right out of college if it’s not standard in your industry.
You just need to show you’ve done enough homework to have a real conversation.

If they push for a number, give a range.
And if you genuinely don’t know, say you’d like to know more about the role and responsibilities before sharing a number.

But mention you’ve seen the typical range is ₹X–₹Y.
Say you’re open within that.

Nobody expects a fresher to be an expert negotiator.
But they do expect you to care enough to show up prepared.

The awkward pause will always come.
But you don’t have to let it freeze you in place.

Research.
Practise your answer out loud.
Talk to a mirror, or with a friend, until you don’t flinch at the question.

Learn less. Learn intentionally. Apply more.

That’s what we’re trying to make easier at Kaabil.
You can do mock interviews till you stop feeling scared when they ask about money.
And if you’re still confused, you can mail us.
We’ll try to help, honestly.
Because every fresher faces awkward questions.
You don’t have to face them alone!