Salary expectations: how to answer in an interview

Don't know what figure to state when asked about your salary expectations? Provide a range based on data — never a single number or "I'll accept whatever is offered." A range protects you: it shows you've done your homework and leaves room for negotiation.

This question comes up in almost every job interview in Mozambique, and it is one of the most nerve-wracking. It seems like a test with a right answer. In reality, it is the start of a negotiation — and candidates who arrive prepared leave in a better position, whether they join now or in a future role.

Here is the three-step method, with actual 2026 minimum wage figures to anchor yourself, and exact phrases to use when they insist on a number.

The short answer

• Research before the interview: your sector's minimum is the legal floor — it is the baseline of your research, not your answer.
• Answer with a range (e.g., "between X and Y MT net") instead of a fixed number.
• Never say "any amount works" — it undermines your position and raises doubts about your self-assessment.
• If they insist on a number, give your range with a one-line justification: experience + role.
• Ask for the company's range first, when possible: it is legitimate and turns the conversation around.
• Benefits matter: transport, meal allowances, and the 13th-month bonus are part of the package — don't just compare gross salary.

Step 1: research your sector's floor

Before any interview, knowing your sector's minimum wage is the baseline of preparation. The 2026 table, approved in April, features 19 values by sector — and the differences are significant. To position yourself well, start by knowing the floor for your field.

• Banks and insurance companies: 20.361,43 MT — the highest floor on the table;
• Mining (large companies): 16.239,06 MT;
• Manufacturing industry: 10.622,50 MT;
• Hospitality and tourism: 10.600,00 MT — the highest increase of the year (+9.28%);
• Construction: 8.652,00 MT;
• Public sector: 8.758,00 MT (Single Salary Table, unchanged in 2026);
• Agriculture: 7.072,00 MT;
• Kapenta fishing: 4.991,09 MT — the lowest floor.

Source of values: AIM press release of 28/04/2026 and INSS table in force since 01/04/2026. The complete table for all 19 sectors can be found in the 2026 minimum wage guide — bookmark it, as it serves all job applications throughout the year.

Pay attention to what the minimum means: it is the legal limit below which no employer can pay you. It is not what your role pays in structured companies, nor is it the benchmark for experienced workers.

A technician with 5 years of experience in mining shouldn't anchor their expectation to the extractive industry minimum — they should use the minimum as a baseline and scale up based on experience, technical skills, and market standards.

Step 2: build your range

With the floor in mind, build a realistic range. The logic: the minimum value of your range should be a salary you would comfortably accept; the maximum should be a salary that would make you accept without much negotiation. Between the two, there is room for conversation.

Three benchmarks to calibrate: your experience (years and achievements), the actual role (what the job post requires), and what you have earned or heard of in your field in Mozambique.

If your sector's minimum is 10.622,50 MT and you have experience and English skills, a range of "13,000 to 16,000 MT gross" is an honest and defensible position. There is no official salary scale for ranges above the minimum wage — anyone who tells you otherwise is guessing. Therefore, your range should come from your reality, not internet salary charts.

A critical detail: always ask whether values are gross or net. The difference is significant — between gross and net salary lie INSS (3% employee contribution) and IRPS income tax. If you need to understand the calculation, the net vs gross salary guide explains every deduction with a real-life example.

Step 3: the answer during the interview

The question has arrived. The sequence of your sentences makes a difference: first try to turn it around ("what is the budgeted range?"), and only if they insist should you share your range. Here is the template:

"Before I state a figure, may I ask what the budgeted range for this position is? That way I can see if it makes sense for us to continue the conversation."

If the interviewer says they don't have that information or flips the question back to you, reply with your range and a one-line justification:

"Based on my 4 years of warehouse experience and the responsibilities of the role, my expectation is between 13,000 and 16,000 MT gross. I am open to discussing this depending on the complete compensation package."

Notice the two parts: the figure and the openness to negotiate. The former shows preparation; the latter shows maturity. No employer wants to hire someone who closes the conversation with a rigid number in the first interview.

When they insist on a single figure — "I need a specific number" — state the lower end of your range, not the average: "Let's say 13,500 MT gross as a baseline, with room to align depending on the total package." That way you anchor the negotiation on your ground without closing doors.

The most costly mistakes

Saying "any amount works." It is the most common answer and the most expensive. It does not convey humility — it conveys desperation and a lack of self-assessment. The employer then anchors everything to the absolute minimum, and you lose the negotiation before it even begins.

Making up a range without research. If they mention a range above yours and you look surprised, the conversation loses momentum. If they give a range below yours and you accept right away, you lose out. A 15-minute research session before the interview is the difference between negotiating and guessing.

Asking about salary in the first few minutes. There is a right time for everything: salary discussion belongs at the end of the first conversation or in subsequent stages. Starting off with salary makes you sound interested in the pay, not the job. Let the interviewer bring up the topic — they usually do.

Demanding a non-negotiable figure. "I will only accept 20,000 MT" closes the door when the company could have offered 18,000 plus transport and meal allowances adding up to 3,000 MT. Negotiate the full package, not just gross salary — statutory allowances make a real difference at the end of the month.

What if they offer less than your range?

Do not immediately say yes or no. Ask for time and request the complete package details — it is a legitimate request that any professional recruiter respects:

"Thank you for the offer. May I ask for the details of the full package — allowances, benefits, and working conditions — so I can evaluate it carefully? I can provide my answer by Thursday."

With the package details in hand, compare: a gross salary 2,000 MT lower with paid transport and meals can outweigh another offer with a higher gross salary but no allowances.

If after reviewing everything it remains below your minimum, negotiate politely in writing with a concrete request — the cover letter guide offers an effective written communication structure. And if the response is "take it or leave it," you have every right to decline — declining gracefully also builds your professional reputation in the market.

Ready-to-use phrases for every situation

"What is the budgeted range for this position?" — to turn the question around.

"My expectation is between X and Y MT gross, based on my experience." — to answer with your range.

"Before we discuss numbers, I would like to better understand the role's responsibilities." — to buy time during the initial interview.

"May I review the full compensation package and reply by [day]?" — to ask for time without losing the offer.

Also prepare for the next conversation: negotiating effectively — in person and in writing — requires specific techniques, which we cover in the salary negotiation guide.

How Inademy helps you

On Inademy, you create your free profile in minutes, apply for job openings in Mozambique through a simple process, and send your PDF CV hassle-free. When a new job matching your profile opens up, you receive alerts via email and WhatsApp — so you can enter future salary negotiations with multiple offers in hand, which is the strongest negotiating position possible.

Related articles

• How to Write a CV in Mozambique in 2026 (complete guide)
• Errors that get your CV eliminated (and what to include instead)
• How to Write a CV on Your Mobile Phone in Mozambique (step-by-step)

Where these numbers come from

• 2026 minimum wage table: AIM (press release of 28/04/2026) and INSS (table in force since 01/04/2026);
• Public sector: Single Salary Table of 2022 (8.758,00 MT, effective since 01/01/2023, unchanged in 2026);
• INSS employee contribution 3% and progressive IRPS: current legislation, detailed in the Guide's article on net vs gross salary;
• Allowances (transport, meal, 13th-month bonus): Labor Law 13/2023, detailed in the Guide's article on allowances.

Frequently asked questions

Should I state my salary expectations in the first interview?

If asked directly, answer with your range — refusing to talk numbers in the first interview can look like playing games. If the conversation is still at an early stage, try to naturally postpone: "I would first like to better understand the role." The key is never to arrive without a researched range.

Should I give a gross or net figure?

Follow the interviewer's format, but always specify: "13,000 MT net" is very different from "13,000 MT gross." If you are providing a range, give it in gross terms (the most common format in job postings) and confirm that both of you are on the same page.

Can I provide a range higher than what I would actually accept?

Yes — everyone negotiates with a margin. But beware of exaggerations: a range absurdly above market rate removes you from the list of serious candidates. An honest margin of 15-20% above your real bottom line gives room to negotiate without losing credibility.

What if the job posting doesn't list a salary?

That is your hint to research more and better prepare your range. You can ask for the pay scale during the interview — it is a legitimate question. Structured companies answer; those that avoid the topic twice in a row usually pay at or below the minimum — it's worth checking with a former colleague before accepting.

Does the minimum wage serve as an anchor for any profession?

It serves as a legal floor and research starting point, not as an answer. For specialized roles or experienced professionals, the anchor rises with your industry's market — which is why it matters to talk to colleagues in your profession and follow active job openings in your field to calibrate.

I quoted a low figure and the company accepted. What now?

Accept it and learn: your contract can be renegotiated during annual reviews, and your next negotiation gains strength with strong results inside the company. In the meantime, prepare your next research better — and keep your profile active on Inademy to monitor the market.

In summary, what to do today

1. Check your sector's minimum wage on the 2026 table and note it down;
2. Define your honest range (acceptable minimum + amount that would make you accept immediately);
3. Practice the 4 ready-to-use phrases out loud until they sound natural;
4. Prepare the question "what is the budgeted range?" to open the conversation;
5. Decide beforehand what benefits you would accept if gross pay doesn't increase;
6. Update your free profile on Inademy and turn on email and WhatsApp alerts.

Continue your preparation: the most common job interview questions and the complete Inademy Guide index.

Official source: Law No. 13/2023 (Labour Law) is available as a PDF on the website of Mozambique's Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo): official text (PDF).