Your salary is a crucial factor to consider when looking for a new job. A recent study found that salary is the top consideration for job seekers, with almost 70% of respondents prioritising it over other factors like work-life balance and job security (which is no great surprise as we watch interest rates and the price of cereal go through the roof).

At RecruitableHub, we have found that the most successful job seekers are those who are committed to ensuring that they are paid fairly and that their salary package is competitive.

The most confident applicants are usually those who have done some due diligence alongside their job search and have a solid idea of what their skills and experience are worth.

They are well-researched and equipped to negotiate a fair salary at any stage of the job-hunting process.

Based on our experience and what we have suggested to our clients who have successfully navigated job hunting in the last 18 months, here are our top tips for researching your salary expectations for your desired job.

Online salary databases – websites such as Glassdoor, Indeed, and PayScale offer reliable salary data for various job titles, industries, and geographies. They will help you get a rough idea of an acceptable salary range for the position you are applying for. These sites are reputable, regularly updated, and based on reliable data sources. Note that the more specific you can be while entering the information about the job you are interested in, including job title, location, and company, the more accurate the salary data will be. We recommend you compare a couple of different sources to get a comprehensive understanding of what is going on in the market.

Industry associations – many industry associations conduct salary surveys and publish the results on their websites. If you can’t find what you are looking for on a website, don’t be afraid to call them and ask them outright what a fair salary expectation or range would be for the position you are interested in.

Professional networks – don’t be shy in reaching out to professional contacts in the industry or company you are looking to join and telling them that the job advertisement you are responding to doesn’t provide any insight into salary expectations and you don’t know where to start or what to expect. You might find some people willing to share the detail of their package with you and others that will be comfortable sharing a range for the level you are applying for. Either way, all information you gather from people on the ground will inevitably be helpful.

Job listing – job postings for similar roles in other companies in a similar location might provide insight into the market rate.

Recruitment agencies – recruiters often have access to market data and can provide job seekers with a sense of a fair salary range. If you are going through a recruiter, have an upfront conversation about market rates and get their advice on negotiation tips. If you are not going through a recruitment company, you can still reach out to one that specialises in the industry you are applying to and see what they have on their books while asking for information on averages and expectations.

Remember that while salary expectations can provide a useful starting point for salary negotiations, they don’t always capture the complete picture. Other factors that you can consider to make your package more attractive include benefits, bonuses, incentives, and non-monetary perks like flexible working arrangements, annual leave, and healthcare benefits.

If you are looking for a new role and want to write a resume and cover letter highlighting your skills and experience and dramatically increasing your likelihood of getting an interview, check out www.recruitablehub.com.