Salary requirements (Full Version)

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ladioffaith -> Salary requirements (8/6/2008 10:20:23 AM)

I saw a job listing online that requested a salary range. Honestly, I have been at my current job so long I don't remember what I was making at the ones previous to it, nor do I think it matters.

The answer is also a bit complicated for me ... though I am making the same hourly wage, my hours were reduced earlier this year due to budget cuts.

Do I put the hourly wage, or do I put the yearly wage, and if so, do I put the current number or a RANGE (in which the higher rate is not my current salary.)



Miss Giggles -> RE: Salary requirements (8/6/2008 10:30:58 AM)

I put a range if there is room for it.

Actually if you can put negotiable its best.



ladioffaith -> RE: Salary requirements (8/6/2008 10:42:24 AM)

A range of what? What I made when I started or what my salary has been within the past year or so? A range with my current wage or last year's wage as the high number?

I've heard that employers use this to weed out people who command a salary that is too high or too low and if you don't include it, they will toss your resume.



Miss Giggles -> RE: Salary requirements (8/6/2008 10:46:11 AM)

The range of what the job you are applying for is worth. Depends on your job market but some people have had to take a paycut going to another company.



IonMoon -> RE: Salary requirements (8/6/2008 3:47:49 PM)

Are they asking how much you want, or how much you made at each position.

If asking how much at each position, you give the highest amount OR if a range, the lowest amount to the highest amount (usually starting to ending salary, but not always).

I have usually seen it specifically state "starting wage" and "ending wage."

If it doesn't specify whether to put hourly, annual, etc., put whatever sounds highest! Probably in your case, the hourly rate would be the most accurate.

Tara P



ladioffaith -> RE: Salary requirements (8/6/2008 3:52:24 PM)

It says "salary history" which makes me wonder if they want it for every job, or for the beginning of this one. Honestly, I have no idea what I made back then!



BlueAdept -> RE: Salary requirements (8/8/2008 12:09:36 AM)

Salary history means the history of your salaries. What you made at each job, and making now.

However, it is generally "best" to not include your present salary. It hardly ever works for you, and most often hurts you.

Example 1 - You make 30K at your present job. The open job will pay 26K, you would consider accepting because it would reduce your commute or you know your job is being eliminated in 3 months. When you list your present salary you get excluded because you make too much.

Example 2 - You make 30K, and the open job pays 45-60K. They decide you couldn't possible have to right background for the job, because the salary is so low. OR they offer you the job but at 38K since it would still be a HUGE increase over your present salary.

When asked in the application, or cover letter I give a generic answer. That way I don't pin myself either way. (It generally doesn't come up in the first interview, but it will in the second.) And salary is very dependent on company size, what is right for one place is way too much at another, or way under at a third.



ladioffaith -> RE: Salary requirements (8/8/2008 10:58:28 AM)

So in other words ... I'm supposed to pick up my tax returns and figure out what I was making more than 14 years ago ... job history before this position is not very detailed on my resume.

I can't see how on earth that would be relevant.

What kind of "generic answer" would you give? Such as: Expected salary in the $30,000 to $40,000 range?



GroupW -> RE: Salary requirements (8/8/2008 11:14:02 AM)

Honestly, I never mention money if I can avoid it. There's an old rule of thumb that he who mentions money first gets the short end of the stick. If I stay silent on the issue of money and make a prospective employer put a number out there first, it does two things:

1) It gives me an idea regarding if they are trying to be cheap and low-ball an offer. If they exhibit cheap behavior up front, it will likely be a permanent behavior pattern. I may not to want to work with them.

2) If they REALLY want me but their initial offer was low, I can always counter and negotiate them upward to a level that I'm happy with.

3) Occasionally, someone throws out a larger number than what I would have said. By keeping my mouth shut, I got a bit of extra cash. This has happened the past 3 times I've been out looking for a job.

Someone earlier mentioned it's best to put "negotiable' or some such phrase ("commensurate with the level of responsibility" always worked for me) when asked for an expected salary range. Dealing with a question of salary history is a bit more difficult. To the extent you can avoid answering that question without shooting yourself in the foot, I would think that's best.



reach -> RE: Salary requirements (8/8/2008 1:03:20 PM)

It works both ways, I work in HR, and if people request something in a cover letter, and you don't do it, then they will not even look at your resume, as you can't even follow the directions for applying for the position.



GroupW -> RE: Salary requirements (8/8/2008 2:35:16 PM)

I suppose. Though it depends on the nature of the position & the industry. In my industry, salaries vary quite tremendously so noone is surprised if you are reluctant to talk money until there is the prospect of an offer.

Could also make a difference if you're applying cold or coming in via an existing contact/relationship. Coming in blind would make it more difficult to avoid the question.



IonMoon -> RE: Salary requirements (8/9/2008 10:57:19 AM)

I don't think you need to pull out tax returns, but You should probably put the approximate start and end amounts for your most recent position. If you have been there a long time, then anything really old you can probably put something like, "information unavailable." Or just estimate. And if it is part-time rather than full-time work, an hourly rate typically is more accurate than giving annual pay.

For range, if you have to give one, you probably have an idea of what the position averages. Decide on what you are worth, based on experience, education, etc. compared to others that will be applying. Be reasonable about this, and consider what the company would really be willing to pay (sometimes it is better to hire someone with less experience at a lower salary!), but don't underestimate, either.

Use the amount you want as the low end of a range. So, if you want $30,000, then say you are hoping for an offer between 30-40,000. But I like to add something like, "But I will be considering the package as a whole, including hours, working conditions, etc. not just the base salary when comparing the positions available to me." That way, they aren't going to write you off based on a figure that is high, but the chance of them undercutting is lessened.

In my last two interviews where I was pinned down on this, I was offered more than the range I quoted!

But as has been said, if possible, avoid answering the question!

Tara P



SavedToo -> RE: Salary requirements (8/9/2008 3:36:39 PM)

When responding to salary questions, I generally say "open".



ladioffaith -> RE: Salary requirements (8/9/2008 10:58:17 PM)

Well, the more I reflect on it ... the more I realize that job wasn't right for me anyway!

I have some others I'm pursuing ... including one that has a salary range about triple what I'm making. (Not sure that one is right for me either ... but I will consider it!)



blessedinnyc -> RE: Salary requirements (8/10/2008 12:39:49 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: reach

It works both ways, I work in HR, and if people request something in a cover letter, and you don't do it, then they will not even look at your resume, as you can't even follow the directions for applying for the position.

See, this is a case where I would pick up the phone, call HR, and find out exactly why they needed this information. If they can't offer a good explanation of at least why they need it- or let me leave it off, I'd probably apply at other employers first. If you're a desirable employee, there's about 200 other firms that aren't going to ask you for that information.

My whole issue is that my current compensation would price me out of most jobs that don't involve 70 hours/week working in New York. I may very well want my next job to involve 50 hours/week in Chicago, and if they can only afford 2/3 my current salary, I don't necessarily want them embarrassed to make an offer.



stellaluna -> RE: Salary requirements (8/10/2008 1:45:46 PM)

"I am looking for a job with a salary in the (thirties, forties, etc.), if possible; salary requirements are certainly negotiable, based on benefits and the total compensation package."



zirconx -> RE: Salary requirements (8/28/2008 12:14:07 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: reach
It works both ways, I work in HR, and if people request something in a cover letter, and you don't do it, then they will not even look at your resume, as you can't even follow the directions for applying for the position.


In my experience, HR is always mucking things up. The hiring decisions should be left to the direct manager of the position. HR would throw out a potentially great employee because the employee felt their previous salary is private information (and it is). I've never shared my previous salary with any new company.

My wife was telling me a story yesterday how one the people she works with just wasn't getting any applicants to fill a position he needed filled. Finally he was able to find out from HR that they were throwing out all applicants that weren't minorities, because they are trying to reach their quota of minorities!



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