HR peeps--salary requirements?
How do you state salary requirements when applying for a job? More specifically, what is the magical way to word it? I hate postings like that (especially when they've already told you the damn salary range) but I have one I'm interested in now. Thanks in advance.
It is never too late to be what you might have been
~George Eliot
since they gave you "the damn salary range", you're almost there. what you need to try and figure out is within that range, what is the starting salary range.
for instance, if you're applying for a Widget Worker job where the range is from $42-58k, that could just tell you that any Widget Worker working there will make at least $42k and no more than 58k. so after an experienced WW has worked their way up the pay scale with raises, the company won't go higher than $58k. once that i**** the WW will have to move to another position if they want more dough.
now, that range is just for the job...not necessarily for new hires entering the job. if my company says they're willing to pay Widget Workers up to $58k, we're not gonna bring in a new hire making $57k. do that and there is no where to go salary wise.
we might say that we'll bring in new hires from $42-47k. that way they have room to grow salary wise and still be within our range.
make sense?
so when stating your salary requirements, if you are compelled to give a number and you can't just say 'commiserate with experience' or something, i say you play with the salary range and come up with a number. of course you need to make sure that number is one you are willing to work for.
its a delicate thing. you wanna get as much money from them as they're willing to pay but you can't price yourself out the job. lowball and you leave money on the table. money that will take you years worth of raises to recoup. get greedy and you'll have them think they can't afford you. in which case they'll pursue the more affordable applicant.
i'm not in HR but i've been in management for almost a decade now and this is what i've seen through my involvement in the hiring process.
for instance, if you're applying for a Widget Worker job where the range is from $42-58k, that could just tell you that any Widget Worker working there will make at least $42k and no more than 58k. so after an experienced WW has worked their way up the pay scale with raises, the company won't go higher than $58k. once that i**** the WW will have to move to another position if they want more dough.
now, that range is just for the job...not necessarily for new hires entering the job. if my company says they're willing to pay Widget Workers up to $58k, we're not gonna bring in a new hire making $57k. do that and there is no where to go salary wise.
we might say that we'll bring in new hires from $42-47k. that way they have room to grow salary wise and still be within our range.
make sense?
so when stating your salary requirements, if you are compelled to give a number and you can't just say 'commiserate with experience' or something, i say you play with the salary range and come up with a number. of course you need to make sure that number is one you are willing to work for.
its a delicate thing. you wanna get as much money from them as they're willing to pay but you can't price yourself out the job. lowball and you leave money on the table. money that will take you years worth of raises to recoup. get greedy and you'll have them think they can't afford you. in which case they'll pursue the more affordable applicant.
i'm not in HR but i've been in management for almost a decade now and this is what i've seen through my involvement in the hiring process.
comes from wunna the bffs - she's an hr specialist whatever the hayle that means.
it's not appropriate to state salary requirements b/c 1) if you choose a # lower than theirs they just got a bargain and/or 2) having nothing at all to do with money, it demonstrates inflexibility in your personality. where a question asks for salary requirments, the answer is: negotiable (read: let them tell you, then make up your mind)
when i applied for my current job i was sick to def of interviewing and i had a job so i flat out asked (but i made sure to ask someone who wasn't part of the *interview* she was the h.r. lady walking me around to different interviewers):
"becky, in an effort to determine mutual compatibility, could you be more specific as to compensation and please include whether it applies to exempt or non exempt employees."
feel free to send my $20 to p.o. box 1399, pueblo, colorado 30303
it's not appropriate to state salary requirements b/c 1) if you choose a # lower than theirs they just got a bargain and/or 2) having nothing at all to do with money, it demonstrates inflexibility in your personality. where a question asks for salary requirments, the answer is: negotiable (read: let them tell you, then make up your mind)
when i applied for my current job i was sick to def of interviewing and i had a job so i flat out asked (but i made sure to ask someone who wasn't part of the *interview* she was the h.r. lady walking me around to different interviewers):
"becky, in an effort to determine mutual compatibility, could you be more specific as to compensation and please include whether it applies to exempt or non exempt employees."
feel free to send my $20 to p.o. box 1399, pueblo, colorado 30303
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