question re: applying for jobs that ask for 'salary requirements"

[northzax]

first off, I hate this, they don't provide a range (non-profit in DC) and it could be anywhere from 25-45 thousand. Nothing on their website lists compensation. So how do I go about it? in my resume? cover letter? do Ilist my current income? why do they careso freaking much? all it would take is listing the range they have avaliable on the announcement and that would weed out anyone who can't meet their requirements. If I bid too high, then I wasted my time applying, too low, and I've cheated myself.

thoughts?

[kick-ass-bob]

1. just say "Yes"

[northzax]

6. while I'm tempted to be flippant

my landlord wants his rent money, you know?

[kick-ass-bob]

14. fine. if you insist.

I would put in 5-10% higher than what you would accept (and range it upward) depending on your confidence with this position, because if they hire you at what you want, they would probably do the same for a little more.

Then you don't kick yourself later, because you got more money than you thought you needed.

[jimbo fett]

2. Say "negotiable".

[trogdor]

3. It's a mind game.

They're hoping you lowball yourself.

[JVS]

4. Gotta have it all

That's what to say

[Mizmoon]

5. I put in a range

that's my suggestion. Make sure the bottom number is one you can live with.

[TexasBushwhacker]

11. Me too

I put in a range, and I also say "negotiable, depending on benefits".

[northzax]

15. what, in a final sentance in the cover letter?

any wording suggestions? it's damn akward.

[Mizmoon]

16. Here is Mizmoon's Never Miss Cover Letter (tm)

Dear Human Resources Director,

This email is in response to your post on (insert post source here) for a (insert job title here).

As you can see from my attached resume, I have extensive experience with both (insert skill required from ad here) and (insert second skill required from ad here).

In addition, I have a(insert relevant degree or certificate) from (name college or university here).

My salary range is x-y.

Please contact me if my resume meets your requirements.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,
Mizmoon

[eataTREE]

7. "Salary requirements" suck.

Question: Are you dealing with the company that is doing the hiring, or a recruitment firm? If the latter, go ahead and tell them what you'd like to make for the position as described... if the position doesn't pay that much, they will say so and you then can decide whether or not you'd do the job at the salary that's being offered. If it's a direct hire, you have to be a little more diplomatic; you might try omitting your "salary requirements" and, if asked, dodge the question with something like, "I'm sure we can make mutually satisfactory arrangements about compensation when the time comes."

[JVS]

8. Don't apply to those types of jobs

[TheDebbieDee]

9. Whatever you do, do not list your current income.......

They'll use it to pigeonhole you into a particular salary bracket or range.

Let them know that you will need even more info about the position and its duties before you can form a fair salary request.

But also remember that its an employer's market out there - its a "cheap-labor conservative" environment.

[northzax]

12. true, but it is a progressive non-profit

I would wager their idea of conservative is ralph nader.

[TheDebbieDee]

19. But, employee salaries may be one of the few expenses......

that they can control. Be careful.

[demnan]

10. Don't put this on your resume

If they call you say you prefer to know more about the postition before deciding. If they insist, ask them what the salary range is. If not, go to the interview and get a feel for the job. Once you've asked a lot of questions about the job and get a good feel for it, ask them what their salary range is. The higher range is probably what they're willing to offer you, if not they'll say so. Don't take the job if you won't be happy with the salary, or they wouldn't be willing to offer you the top salary based on your skills.

[Phillycat]

13. Write "Current for position"

and then fight it out during the interview process. You need to do some good research and when they ask you how much you want, name the top range in your field. Period. Don't add anything and don't keep talking. Just stop. See how they react. If they say, "Well, that's not possible, thank you for your time," THEN haggle a little. But if you give them wiggle room right away, you'll never get your top price. If you state it firmly, you just might!

[warrens]

17. I always say

In my last three positions, my salary ranged from x to y. And if they want to talk about it, I mention that the lower ranges allowed me to do occasional freelance assignments, internal and external, on company time. I don't know if that applies to you, but I have noticed that three out of four ads now ask for salary requirements, which strikes me as unreasonable. How do you know what to ask for til you know what the workload is, how it will affect your finances in travel and commuting, etc.?

[gollygee]

18. I always liked when they asked that

of course the last time I was looking for a job was during the labor shortage (Thank you Pres. Clinton!)

You could split the difference and say "somewhere in the area of $30,000 to $40,000, depending on the specific job requirements." Then, if the job has a high level of responsibility, you can say, "This job seems to warrant a bit more than $40,000" and if they're thinking more like $25,000 they still will think you're worth calling in for an interview because they'll think they might be able to talk you down a tad.

[Misunderestimator]

20. Hmm... I'm going through the exact same thing.

I give my current salary (because I'm actually comfortable with it), and since I'm moving from FL to the West Coast, I add that I'm expecting at least a 20% increase over it, and give them a good sized range. I put the very lowest I would consider (though that may change as time goes by, I just started applying for stuff this week).

They won't list the range because they're hoping to get someone dirt cheap. Catch-22, aint' it?

[tjwash]

21. Most places worth working for...

...will give a salary range that they pay. They are just going to interview the people who will take the least.

[Book Lover]

22. Use Salary.com's free salary figuring tool

and reference them in your cover letter: "As regards salary requirements; Salary.com shows the range for this position in this geographic location to range between $00,000 and $00,000. Due to my extensive experience in the field, etc. etc., I am asking for between $00,000 and $00,000." Best of luck.