For interview question on exected CTS, is it good to answer as according to company standards?

[Satyaprakash Joshii]

During the interview when they ask for expected CTC is it a good strategy to answer as according to company standards. If we answer as "I want 40% hike" etc , on getting the job people who have more CTC then they should get are the ones who are fired first in case firing is done. Is it a good way to answer as "according to company standards" when asked on the expected CTC. Thank You.

[Campbell Ritchie]

What do CTC and CTS mean?
You would always ask for slightly more salary than you actually want. Conventions vary from country to country, so it might be useful to know where you are.

[Satyaprakash Joshii]

Sorry for the typing error. I meant CTC (Cost to the Company).I am from India.  Are people asking for salary hike during switch which is quite high at more risk of losing job than then ones getting normal hike during changing company?  

[Satyaprakash Joshii]

Campbell Ritchie says

You would always ask for slightly more salary than you actually want. Conventions vary from country to country, so it might be useful to know where you are.

If I say "I want according to company standards" , will it result in a disadvantage for me?

[Karthik Jayachandran]

None of the company's HR will give you that 'company standard' salary. I did the same mistake too. So dont ask for it.

Generally do your own homework and find out what is the salary that you can get for your level (years of experience, skillsets, city of residing, etc) and ask a bit above.

For eg, if you think you can get 10 LPA (Lakhs per annum), request for 11 or 12 LPA. They may negotiate starting from 9 or 10 or 11 and finally you may end up anywhere around 10, above is better (as its above market standard). Sometimes it can affect the offer too. So be careful while handling and be honest.

[Tapas Chand]

Satyaprakash Joshii wrote:Are people asking for salary hike during switch which is quite high at more risk of losing job than then ones getting normal hike during changing company?  

IMHO, one should not settle for a lower salary for the fear of loosing job when an organization is on firing spree.
Because, firing events are rare and anyone who is fired can get into another job easily if he/she is keeping himself/herself updated with technology.

[Gabriel Rowley]

Agreed. I get a lot of work through recruiters myself. Discussing wages are never really a huge issue with them for me. When it comes to direct hire positions though....I still get nervous, so this is a big helpful forum