Salary in the Job Description

Salary in the Job Description

To the company that declined my application, because I was outside their pay range; I appreciate that. However, if you had listed the range in the first place, we could have saved ourselves some time.

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34 Comments

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  1. Anonymous

    Everything will go smoother if they list the pay range. Soooo much time would be saved, less applications to go through etc.

  2. Anonymous

    Could have been your early question when they reached out too. As a job seeker understand the ask, as a recruiter, there are reasons that it is not posted that makes sense. Not a debate, just stating an easy why and how you could have gotten time back early on.

  3. Anonymous

    I am curious, what are the reasons not to post the pay range that make sense?

  4. Sarah Mayfield

    So they can underpay

  5. Anonymous

    wrong, for most that is not correct. YOUR pov may feel like that, but it really isn't the case MOST of the time. Don't bucket all into one thought. IMO

  6. Anonymous

    Really? You don’t feel that Companies don’t share their salary range because they want to underpay people? What do you feel their reasons are then?

  7. Anonymous

    It “makes sense” for no one but the employer, but they don’t want current employees to find out what they are planning to pay new ones doing the same job.

    I have also seen the argument that if they list a range everyone will expect the top of it, but that is also easily solved with, “The top of the range represents X years of specifically relevant experience and we do not expect to hire there except in exceptional circumstances.”

  8. Sarah Mayfield

    When someone reaches out to me, my first question is: What is the salary range? I once got a call from someone all excited but their absolute TOP of range was 30% less than I currently make... I just sent in a resume. As soon as I get a bite, if I don't know the range I ask... Saves us both time.

  9. Anonymous

    I had always heard that as a job seeker you should never be the first one to bring up salary. Especially in the early stages of the interview process and that you should wait until the interviewer brings it up to you. Do most job seekers ask what the salary range is up front?

  10. Anonymous

    wrong, atleast in my pov, it's a waste of everyone's time if salary doesn't meet the candidates need.

  11. Anonymous

    Let me clarify…i had always heard that you should never bring up salary, but I have always wanted to. Those were the “rules” I had learned in school and from recruiters years ago…but things are changing and I am curious if it is acceptable to ask about salary in the very beginning.

  12. Anonymous

    I too remember these rules from years ago but things have changed significantly. Make sure you are aligned on salary up front.

  13. Anonymous

    Right? LOL, those awful rules! I remember my first official job interview (early 2000s) I asked what the salary and benefits were in the initial interview. I did NOT land that job and received feedback from career guidance counselors, and recruiters that it was improper etiquette to bring up salary on the first interview. I was told you wait until an offer was formally made and then that was the time to discuss what your salary expectations were. I thought it seemed like we could save a lot of time by just talking about it from the onset. I noticed quite a few jobs now have salaries posted which is nice. I am really glad to have this insight about asking what the range is early on.

  14. Anonymous

    It’s absolutely prudent to ask for salary ranges upfront. Employers will also know the range they’re planning to pay and if it doesn’t align with your expectations, you can quickly move on.

  15. Anonymous

    Why did you share your salary in an application? Never do that, instead put $1.00 in the field or the lowest possible number. Make the conversation about compensation a part of your first screening call if it is a deal breaker for you and if it isn't wait until you are asked and then turn it back to the employer for their range.

  16. Anonymous

    It was part of the application.

  17. Anonymous

    Agreed.
    I wish it was a requirement in all states, and that people took it seriously instead of posting ridiculous ranges to get past the requirement.

  18. Anonymous

    Ditto experience!
    I get it- despite extensive accounting experience, I don't check every box.

    If im not meeting your specific needs and expectations, fine. Be transparent from the get-go and we'll all be able to move forward elsewhere...especially AFTER you receive my resume and interview me (I didn't magically add talent in a week nor did I leave anything off resume. )

  19. Stephanie Branch Lekowski

    I agree- I'm sooo tired of getting "Oh, we love your profile/resume" on initial contact, then it's "but you don't have this or that skill" So now I'm a hard sell. If you read my resume thoroughly you'll SEE that for yourself. And no, I'm not adding anything to my resume I have no idea how to do, or exaggerating re my job description- you'll call my previous employer(s) and I'm busted. I would rather not get the call or LI message in the 1st place.

  20. Anonymous

    Amen!!!!

  21. Anonymous

    I always ask what the range is and if they don’t give it I say I’m flexible to the range they want and can discuss this further later on in the interview process

  22. Anonymous

    wouldn’t putting $1 make it look like you are not serious? have you gotten call backs on those applications?

  23. Anonymous

    Report them to the Ca labor board. (I was told that they will investigate). The law is a good start. It needs to go further. Some employers will list a 50k salary range, which can be misleading. It should be within 5k. And list any potential commission and bonus. It always makes me wonder why a company isn’t complying. In my experience it’s been because the company is paying very little or lowballing.

  24. Anonymous

    50k is a bit excessive, but I’ve applied to jobs with a 35k range in salary because that’s the salary band for that job. The final salary depends on YOE and certifications. This is pretty common in tech and finance.

  25. Anonymous

    I had a job ask me to list my current pay (starting and present). Surpisingly the field allowed me to enter string (txt) not just numeric characters. I took that opportunity to type in "is it legal to ask this?" On another application I submitted "$1,000,000,000,000". Ask silly questions, get silly answers. . . no regrets. Both called me back. Both high paying jobs in the field I wanted to work. I went through 4 interviews with the former before rescinding my application because I accepted the latter. lol

  26. Denise Levine

    Even in California, where it is MANDATORY, the salary ranges often aren't listed. I guess there is no oversight. Companies who do this should be banned from posting jobs on whatever platform.

  27. Anonymous

    Agreed because same in CO and there should be easier ways to report and fine these companies

  28. Lisa McCartney

    Isn't it the law across the board it was required?

  29. Anonymous

    Sending you sympathy.
    I have had similar: one job had me go through the interview, asked where I lived, wasn't sure if they could do remote work because of my location and then told me the next day they couldn't proceed because of tax purposes. This location requirement isn't listed in the JD.

    Another made me go through the application process in lieu of a cover letter (which was actually helpful in understanding what they were looking for, except it took awhile to do), only to reject me because I did not have a certain certification that takes several months. This requirement is not specified in the JD, either! Like, if they had listed that candidates who don't have this would not be considered, at least I would know!

    Years ago I had an email convo (like 6 messages) of trying to nail down a time to have a phone chat. As a "BTW" I was asked what my salary requirements were, I said they were negotiable as I wanted to hear more about the job to gauge. They said they would not consider me if I would not name a salary and wished me the best of luck. Another place and I had what thought was a good interview, I would not name a salary and they told me they weren't hiring right now. Only to repost the job like days later.

    I don't mean to hijack your post--just that you are absolutely not alone and I really wish organizations would get their act together on this.

  30. Anonymous

    Submitting a letter and having it result in the suggested change and promotion may be very different scenarios. You should reach out to HR to ensure your promotion and salary increase was accepted by leadership.

  31. Anonymous

    This happened to me twice, both for management positions. and I took both jobs. They were about 12 years apart. Both were great jobs and advanced my career significantly. I am the CEO of a 60M+company now,

    That being said, neither of us were super fast interviews. I think you go with your gut. If it feels right, take it; if not, pass. Good luck.

  32. Anonymous

    This is one of my BIGGEST pet peeves with job searching. Just list a range for the salary. No one wants to waste their time applying for a job only to find out they're offering $12/hr.

  33. Anonymous

    AMEN! Don't waste our time!!

  34. Anonymous

    Boo to no oversite

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