Moved to an area with a lower cost of living but the salaries for my level are so low that I'm not sure what to request.
In a recent interview, I checked salary.com to find out the range for the role and the area. The interview was going well until we got to the dreaded salary question.
I explained that salaries are different in this area but according to Salary's website and company JD listing on the platform, it said x range. It wasn't even half that amount and for a high-level role.
While needing to start over, I worked hard to get my experience including my master's degree. The salaries listed are less than entry level in larger cities.
Cost of living is increasing everywhere and most people in this area have two-income households. I'm single so I need a decent wage in order to either rent or what seems to be cheaper is buying an affordable house.
I'd appreciate your advice regarding how should I go? One position I applied for this week was less than half my former salary and only required a BA.
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Anonymous
Well when you considered the move did you check this prior? If not then the best move in conversations if you are in an area where disclosure of salary in job descriptions is required ask for the range they have set for this role. Don't offer up any numbers at all when talking until you get to the final conversations. You could say historically my salary range has been higher in the location I was in but when you look at cost of living difference and then give the rate of difference, I would expect to earn something within the lower range and the budget you have set for this role. They you answer the question diplomatically but don't toss a number over your head which could backfire.
Anonymous
I’m fascinated that you went in citing salary.com instead of going hot and heavy with: given my background, experience and education, I’m after $xxx for a range. Look at Glassdoor for this organization’s salary ranges so you’re not flying blind next time.
You may also need to readjust expectations if this LCOL area truly isn’t supporting your HCOL salary expectations. What did your research tell you before you moved there?
Check out the book “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss, a former FBI hostage negotiator. He has an entire section on salary negotiations. I’d also contact your school’s career services department to see if they have any resources.
Anonymous
Due to losing my job, I moved back to my hometown to make ends meet while job searching. I know the cost of living is lower for this area and researched salary ranges before commencing interviews.
That being said, salaries are all over the place regarding larger companies with lower-level positions paying more than higher-level at smaller organizations. It's thousands of dollars rather than a small difference. While companies are supposed to provide a salary range on Indeed due to state laws, they are rarely enforced.
All I had to work with for this role was Indeed, the company's website and checking Glassdoor and Salary to provide an overview. There wasn't enough for comparison and Salary.com listed the companies name, specific role and range. That's why I used that listing to showcase expertise.
I need a job and was wiling to negotiate but it wasn't even close to the going rate for this area. I'm wiling to step back in terms of level and salary but feel it should be on par for this area. Sadly, it was $30K under this area's not salary. com's projected range. While the opportunity to no longer an option, I wanted to me better equipped for a future interview.