One of the first things I “realized” when I lost my job was that chances are I’d be getting paid much less at the next job I had. Whether it’s because I switched industries, or got a job in the same industry with a different company. I was making $60k, and honestly, I was probably slightly overpaid since I was hired back in 2006….back when the company was really raking it in. With the industry the way it is now, chances are anyone hiring isn’t going to pay a premium knowing there are hundreds of other people out there willing to work for less.
Which brings me to my dilemma…..so far I haven’t gotten any interviews, so it hasn’t come up, but I encountered my first application that requires I state my salary requirements. Thing is, what do I do?! I’ve calculated I could survive with a $30k salary without having to change a thing….but that would mean no savings. If I up it to $45k that includes savings and retirement. It’s not the same job I was doing before, so I can’t really demand I get paid that same amount. How does a reasonable person go about this?
Using the handy tools Career Builder has provided I typed in the so-called title of this job I’m applying for. I chose a similar job description, and in my area the pay goes from $36k-$76k, with the average at $47k.
My fear is if I put my minimum as too high they’ll ignore my application without looking any further. If I put it too low, they won’t want to offer anything higher. As it is right this minute, I’m leaning towards putting in $48k or $50k. What do you think?
What would you do?
March 18, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Leave it off the application.
Seriously, try to not be the first person to give a number. If the job posting says to include salary requirements, say something vague like “Salary is negotiable depending on specific duties; I expect to be paid within the standard range for this position.” or something like that. I have done this, and still got called for an interview.
You might also be able to find a really close match for the job description here. Keep in mind that you should not accept a number that you can live with, but a number that is fair pay for your skills and the job requirements.
March 18, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Unfortunately, this particular application is an online one, with the min. salary as a “required field”. So it probably won’t let me type in something other than a number. As for any other applications/cover letters I’ll keep your advice in mind!
March 18, 2010 at 3:14 pm
I would ditto Little Miss Moneybags advice. For the online one, can you try typing a space, so the computer thinks the field has something but the recruiter will just see a blank? Otherwise, maybe “N/A”?
March 18, 2010 at 3:26 pm
And that wouldn’t look “bad”? Hmm…if not, then I may try that!
March 18, 2010 at 5:05 pm
I just had the same conversation with someone last night! Personally, I think if you HAVE to put a number, it’s best to go with what you really think you’d want to live off of. You said, $45K would allow you to live comfortably, plus allow for savings and retirement – that doesn’t seem outlandish to me. If you want to live comfortably and have savings and retirement, then you need to put this. If you really want the job badly and are okay without having savings/retirement, then put $30K – but ultimately, if you would be unhappy with that salary and would debate NOT taking the job over it, you need to put what’s going to work for you.
March 18, 2010 at 5:55 pm
If they specifically ask for a minimum salary or salary range, I would recommend always putting that into the covering letter. When I was hiring for positions under me, I wouldn’t even consider resumes that didn’t have what I specifically asked them to put in the covering letter. Shows they weren’t following instructions.
If you are really desperate for a job, I would be honest and give them the salary that you think you can survive off of. But if you think you can hold on, I would give them the salary that you want. Because really. If you’re not saving money and just barely getting by, how happy will you be in that position? Would you want to leave after a year to find something better?
When I lost my job, I was making $50k. And now that I’m unemployed and interviewing again, I honestly don’t think I would take a job that paid me less than that, unless it were my dream job. But that’s just me. I know I would be very unhappy if I were just getting by and not able to save anything.
March 18, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Good points….
March 19, 2010 at 10:27 am
Definitely put in a minimum salary. Most employers won’t consider an application without the required fields filled in; and if anything, they will assume that you don’t pay attention to detail since you missed the bright red star! Be honest. Fill it in with the minimum you are able to survive with. No matter what the job is, there are some salaries you just can’t live with. Start there. Now consider the industry. If the range is 36-76 with the average being 47, then start above the average at 50. Even though you may not have experience in that particular industry, you aren’t green; you still have professional experience under your belt that can transfer over to this new role, which makes you a bit better than entry level (lower end of range) and closer or slightly above average.
Worse comes to worse, they offer you the 50, negotiate. And if that fails, arrange a 6 month review of your salary. It usually will come down to one or the other.
March 19, 2010 at 3:02 pm
I just read an article on this topic the other day. Maybe this will help..
http://www.karenburnsworkinggirl.com/?p=283
March 19, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Thanks, that was pretty helpful for any future interviews!
March 19, 2010 at 5:13 pm
When i was laid off back in 2006, my company paid for me to go to an employment seminar. At the time (bearing in mind this was boom times for the economy), I was told not to give a number, to say something like “I would expect a salary commensurate with the requirements of the position.” If salary was an absolute deal breaker, the agency recommended giving a range, say with a 10,000 dollar gap in between.
Also–and this may no longer be applicable in today’s economy–if you make it through interviews into salary negotiations, you should ask for more than you anticipate making b/c they will always come back at you with a lower figure. If you ask for less than what the HR rep is approved to give you, guess what? You will get the lower amount that you asked for. <— Of course, as I mentioned this is for AFTER you've aced the interview.
Good luck QL!
March 19, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Ooh, I think if you can give a range like Hanni suggests, that would be ideal – between what you think you could live off (or a bit higher) and what you want.
March 21, 2010 at 9:17 pm
When I look at applications I won’t consider any with a high salary requirement. I always assume they will turn down an offer. The ones with vague answers like, “negotiable” also usually gets a pass. Why waste both our time when I can’t offer them what they’re looking for?
However, if the applicant makes it clear that they really want the job, like they want to work for us and not just looking for any job, then I’ll spend an hour talking to them.
I would low ball it a bit and add “plus benefits” like “$45,000+” for on-line fields or “$45,000 plus benefits”, “$45,000 base pay”, etc. Benefits can be anything, bonus, commission, reimbursement, etc. Even if you didn’t get any of those benefits, unless they can verify that you didn’t, just fudge it a bit.
That way, if you put down $45K+ and they offer you $45K you can say, “Well, with bonuses and 401(k) match my compensation was more like $60K. Now, I understand this company does not offer those benefits so can we negotiate a bit on the salary?”
March 22, 2010 at 4:00 pm
I have often said $30-45,000 based upon education and experience. I have my MS, and my salaries should be more like $40-60,00. These days I am much more interested in doing something that makes me happy, lets me get the bills paid, and may not pay as much!