Stop Waiting Until the Offer: How to Set Salary Expectations Early in Your Job Search

A common mistake in the job search process is assuming that salary negotiations only start once you receive an offer.

It happens all the time—candidates avoid bringing up salary in the first recruiter conversation, thinking it's too soon. Then, as the interview process moves forward, they’re left wondering whether the role even meets their financial expectations. But by that point, asking feels awkward. 😬

Before you know it, you’ve made it through multiple rounds, received an offer, and the salary is lower than you hoped. Now, negotiating a 15% (or higher) increase feels uncomfortable.

The big culprit?

Waiting too long to talk about salary. 

While it’s still possible to negotiate, the process is much smoother when expectations are set early.

• That doesn’t mean you have to give a firm number or lock yourself into a specific range right away ❌

• Instead, it’s about having a strategy for these conversations so you feel more confident throughout the process ✨

In the SPRINT Group Coaching Program, we guide you through exactly how to approach salary discussions from the start—helping you set expectations in a way that works for you. With a clear plan, you’ll feel more prepared, avoid surprises, and approach offers with confidence.

If salary conversations have felt tricky in the past, you’re not alone. 🫶 The good news is that with the right approach, you can set clear expectations early and feel more confident navigating offers.

Inside the SPRINT Group Coaching Program, we break down how to handle these discussions in a way that feels natural—without undervaluing yourself or getting stuck in an awkward back-and-forth. If you’re ready to approach your job search with more clarity and control, we’d love to support you.

👉 Learn more about SPRINT and how it can help you take the next step in your career.