It’s the moment every prospective employee fears. The interviewer gets close and asks: “So, what are your salary expectations for the position?”
We get anxious, balancing between saying just enough without sounding greedy, without sounding like we’re promising too little. But Bill Gates, arguably the greatest business success story, has an uncomplicated but clever way of answering the question.
Thinking About the Future, But Not the Check
In a 2020 mock interview with NBA legend Stephen Curry, Gates showed how he would handle the question above. He resisted giving an actual number and steered the focus to future benefits.
“Let’s hope the package of options is strong, and I get to take risks,” stated Gates.
“I think the future of the company is excellent, so I’d like stock options more than cash compensation. I’m hearing from some other firms that they’re paying so much, but take care of me fairly and put an option focus on it.”
It’s a short, modest reply, but also a negotiating lesson masterclass. Gates steers clear of the pitfall of numbers but expresses the view that he has confidence in the future of the company without projecting an air of entitlement.
Why Gates’ approach works
Gates’ reply ticks all the boxes. It demonstrates flexibility. It expresses ambition. He wants more than just a salary; a piece of the business’s success.
This plan mimics how Gates built wealth in the first place. His wealth doesn’t come from salary but from shares of Microsoft. By holding stock instead of cash, he demonstrates optimism in the company’s growth and moves in sync with succeeding in the long haul.
The reply of Gates exemplifies the power of brevity.
A Philosophy Beyond Reward
This response also demonstrates his general leadership principle: results over rhetoric and meritocracy. He’d rather encourage openness and faith than aggressively bargain over a larger check in advance.
It’s basically like saying, “Judge me according to what I’m contributing, and I’ll participate in the rewards.”
The lesson here for younger professionals is evident. There’s no need to use Gates’ actual words, but framing the focus from short-term money to long-term development is going to differentiate you from others.
Recruiters are generally more willing to accept candidates who view themselves as joint players in success, as opposed to short-term workers.
The Things Gates Would Not Do
The interview also showed another aspect of Gates as the interviewer questioned him about his flaws. Gates confessed that marketing and selling are not among his favorites.
“So I’m just not big naturally in marketing or selling; I’m product definition and creation-oriented,” he confessed.
Though toweringly successful, he understood from an early stage that his expertise lay more in engineering and problem-solving rather than selling products.
For Microsoft, what it required then was matching its technical vision with business leaders who could complement the commercial aspect of the business.
Lessons From His Words
Gates’ answers may have been delivered in a lighthearted mock interview, but they carry weight for anyone navigating the modern job market. Here are a few takeaways:
- Look to the long term – Don’t worry so much about short-term payoff, but consider how the position aligns with your growth and what rewards, such as stock options, bonuses, or educational ones, could pay off in the future.
- Be confident but not arrogant – Gates’ response stresses faith in the company and in himself, but doesn’t insist on an astronomical figure.
- Know your strengths and your weaknesses – Just like Gates admitted that he’s not the right person for selling, candidates today can distinguish themselves from others by being candid about their places of strength and places they’d rather not go to.
Alternative answers
At the end of the day, Gates’ response stands out because it’s authentic. It blends modesty with strategic thinking, showing that even a billionaire understands the delicate balance of job interviews.
This advice provides a reminder that the best response is sometimes nothing out of pocket but an expression of your interest in the big picture. And who knows? This type of response just might help to secure the position.
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