Salary expectations is the interview question about the pay range you want. It is a loaded question because it is really a negotiation in miniature. The ideal answer balances research with confidence: state a range based on market data for the role, and, where possible, defer the specific number until you have demonstrated value. For commission roles, the number matters less than the OTE structure — base, commission, and ramp.
In plain English
They want a number; you want to avoid lowballing yourself. Give a researched range, not a single figure, and ask what the total package is. Money conversations are part of the negotiation skill you will use on the job, so treat it as practice.
Why it matters to you
Getting salary right is a compounding career lever — every raise and next offer builds on it. Anchoring with a confident, researched range prevents lowballing. It also shows negotiation maturity, which is exactly what a sales hiring manager wants to see.
Before the interview, decide your number from current market data for the role and city, hold it with a range, and ask what the full compensation structure looks like so you negotiate the whole package, not just the base. Preparation turns a stressful question into a controlled one.