'What's your expected salary?' is one of the most stressful boxes on any Malaysian application, and one of the trickier questions in the interview. Go too high and you risk getting filtered out. Go too low and you've quietly cost yourself money. Here's how to handle it without panicking.

Do your homework first

Before you name any number, find out what the role actually pays in Malaysia for your experience, your industry, and your location. Salary guides from recruitment firms, the ranges on job portals, and honestly just asking people in your network all help. KL and the Klang Valley usually pay more than elsewhere, so factor that in.

Give a range, not a single figure

A range gives you room to negotiate and signals you've done your research. Set the bottom of it at the lowest you'd genuinely accept, and keep the whole thing realistic for the role and the market. A range that's wildly off just gets you screened out faster.

On the application form

If it forces a number, put a realistic one based on your research.
If it's a text field, a range or 'Negotiable' is fine.
Count your whole current package: EPF, bonuses, allowances, not just basic salary.

Things you can actually say

'Based on my research for this role and my experience, I'm looking at around RM X to RM Y, and I'm open to discussing the full package.'
'I'd like to understand the responsibilities a little more first, but my expectation is in the RM X to RM Y range.'