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Project Manager Desired Pay
Hi All, I'm currently looking for a Project Manager position, either contract work or as an employee. I struggle with the "what is your desired pay" question. I'm currently working at a small company and have reason to believe I'm underpaid per industry standards. What is a good way to answer this question without under or over shooting? Is there a recommended way to answer without giving a number? I would rather prefer to know what the offer is rather than a guessing game.
24 Comments
Gina Veesaert
22
01/02/21 at 9:20PM UTC
in
The correct answer is “negotiable.” This needs to be a conversation, not a box on a form.
Barb HansenCTO/Co-founder. Product Leader.
3.02k
01/02/21 at 11:01PM UTC
in
Here is what I say when faced with the "what is your desired pay?"
(and this is assuming that I'm applying for a job that is close to the number of years experience that I have and the job title is also on-target for my experience)
"What is your pay range?"
"My years of experience and my proven ability to not only lead teams but dramatically affect your companies bottom line, I need to be in the $ABC to $XYZ range. I'm willing to negotiate on the balance of pay, benefits and stock options that combine to reach my pay requirement. Are we in the right ballpark?"
BeaBoss374563Product Development Engineer MBA in Marketing
32
01/03/21 at 3:05AM UTC
in
Thank you! I agree the discussion of a range and the other tangible factors are important.
Barb HansenCTO/Co-founder. Product Leader.
3.02k
01/03/21 at 5:24AM UTC
in
Another thought -- project management jobs have a huge wage range (in my experience). Years of experience in PM Land may not be an indication of your value which translates into your wage. Size of project team, size of project budget, and complexity of project all translate into your value as a PM, and another way to "justify your value"
FYI - I'm not a PM (where P = Project), I came up through the PM path (where P = Product), I have hired and worked with plenty of PMs over my years and their wage range varied greatly - but the good ones where always paid well. :)
Good luck
BeaBoss374563Product Development Engineer MBA in Marketing
32
01/03/21 at 2:15PM UTC
in
Thank you! I appreciate the insight.
Anonymous
01/02/21 at 11:59PM UTC
in
I have found that many times you cannot apply without inserting a number. Your choice is 1 or go to places like salary.com, indeed.com, glassdoor.com to look up salary range for your position in your area of expertise and residence before applying. Know your value or they'll set the bar low.
BeaBoss374563Product Development Engineer MBA in Marketing
32
01/03/21 at 3:04AM UTC
in
I've noticed this too, there are many online applications that require an actual number, thank you!
Kristina Davis
17
01/04/21 at 4:18PM UTC
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Right? It isn't helpful to be told not to say anything when you have to say something to even be considered. I've been passed over for listing desired salary as 80k for PM and also been paid 110k for PM. I started listing low so that I could get called back but sometimes I'm really low balling myself
BeaBoss374563Product Development Engineer MBA in Marketing
32
01/04/21 at 4:42PM UTC
in
That's really interesting... I appreciate the insight.
Deanna RatnikovaBiology Dept and Postdoctoral Program Manager
20
01/03/21 at 6:15PM UTC
in
I was told by a talent recruitment friend that if a candidate puts "negotiable" or something similar in the desired salary range on the application form she will call the candidate and get a range before proceeding with the recruitment process. So, I agree that having some sites to reference for an actual number (the ones you suggested are great) is helpful if you are forced to provide a range.
C Allen
37
01/04/21 at 1:50PM UTC
in
If at all possible, avoid answering the question. Tell them you do not feel like you have enough information on the actual duties of the job to answer the question at this time, and you hope to gain a better, more realistic, idea of the role's expectations further along in the interview process.
IntentionGirl156476
12
01/04/21 at 2:09PM UTC
in
The reason they ask is to build data on what to offer and to see who comes in with the highest credentials at the lowest price (suspicious), or to see who is an anomaly in the market and should be weeded out. A truly exceptional candidate is not desired in today’s market. They are seen as risky.
Anonymous
01/04/21 at 2:53PM UTC
in
While “negotiable” seems like a safe answer to avoid shooting too low or too high, I always provide a range with the caveat, based upon benefit package. Coming from the other side of the desk, I don’t want to waste my time or the candidate’s time if we aren’t in the ballpark of their expectations. I’ve never used the information for data gathering. Quite frankly I’m too busy and really don’t even have time to review resumes and interview candidates, hence, I don’t have time for playing salary games.
Sara Shapiro-Plevan
51
01/04/21 at 3:04PM UTC
in
I would respond in one of two ways depending on the situation you're in. First, I'd make sure you've adequately benchmarked the salary and you have at least 5-6 datapoints about what other similar kinds of jobs in this field are offering. That way, when you do give a range, you're giving one anchored in actual data. Second, I would actually FIRST respond by asking, "what have you budgeted for this position?" That way you know that they have created a budget line for this job (this is often not the case in the NFP world!) and that they've set a salary range for it. And when you respond, you can make sure to set yourself at whatever part of that range is appropriate based on your experience. If what you hear back is too low, you know to get out of there!
Anonymous for a day
278
01/04/21 at 3:42PM UTC
in
I always ask what’s the salary range for the position when I’m asked my desired salary. Then I know immediately if they’re going to be able to pay me what I need to make. I’ve been adding to my current salary to come up with the number but I think for the next job I’m going to ask for a lot more. Having an MBA, I’m starting to realize I’m underpaid and selling myself short on what I should be applying for.
BeaBoss374563Product Development Engineer MBA in Marketing
32
01/04/21 at 5:59PM UTC
in
Employers will respond with a salary range? That's interesting. I thought they would dance around that like I am trying to dance around the desired salary question, haha.
Anonymous for a day
278
01/04/21 at 10:05PM UTC
in
Most of the time they have. I think they don’t want their time wasted either if they can’t offer the candidate a reasonable salary. I’ve had a couple of times where I’ve told them that would be a significant pay cut and they thanked me for my honesty. You never know unless you ask.
BeaBoss374563Product Development Engineer MBA in Marketing
32
01/05/21 at 1:36PM UTC
in
Thank you!
Renee EpperlyGlobal Event Leadership, Program Management
15
01/04/21 at 5:40PM UTC
in
Doing research is important so you have insights to their pay scale for that type of job. One way that I have answered that question in the past, especially if I have felt underpaid is:
I think a lot of women sell themselves short by sharing or setting goals based on past salaries. What I am looking for in compensation is to be paid at a level commiserate with the responsibilities of the role, is on par with my peers, and competitive in the marketplace. I also understand that compensation is more than just salary, so I’ll be taking a look at the total package.
If they still push for a range, give a wide range (i.e. mid 1's to mid 2's, keeping in mind a total compensation) but don't go below what you expect to be paid based on your research and capabilities.
Anonymous
01/04/21 at 8:06PM UTC
in
One note considering a few of the responses, it's important to note that some companies will not give you the salary range. I have also found some hiring managers are less free with this sort of information than the recruiters, who are more familiar with what the company is willing to share.
I have benefited quite a bit from having this conversation with the recruiter, who is often not the decision maker. When they ask that question, I have been able to have some dialogue over it. if they can't provide a range, I might, for example, say a $ figure and ask them if that is within an acceptable margin of the budgeted amount. If they say no, then you can revise your figure. The recruiter may pass along all of that conversation to the hiring manager... or they may not, and your interviews and/or successive conversations could be saved from some of the stigma we all worry about with over or undershooting on salary.
Jennifer A
805
01/05/21 at 9:14PM UTC
in
Most times I am working with a recruiter or HR within the company. I 'ask' for the range with a question that is phrased to help us match things up quickly. The last HR director I spoke with told me a little about the position and then I replied that I was 'intrigued'. I then responded that I would hate for him to waste his time so might I inquire as to the amount budgeted for the position. Most of the time when I put it like this, I get a range and then I respond appropriately. Once it was - I'm sorry but that is below what I would be willing to take. Another time it was that the range was adequate but I would need to be placed in the higher third of the range and once I responded with - that's a great range for us to negotiate within. If they are unwilling to put a range out there then I normally have a range in mind from research on the position PLUS similar types of positions. I have found that sometimes the job being advertised - even PM roles, are not true PM roles and they could really get buy with an analyst with PM skills.
Julie HaverkateEditor/Writer of Inclusive + Compelling Stories
66
01/05/21 at 11:49PM UTC
in
I find that when looking at Glassdoor, Salary.com, etc., the salaries vary so wildly that it's not really useful for giving a range when asked. The couple times this year I've been asked for my expectations, I've gone the "I'd like to speak to the hiring manager/learn more about the role's responsibilities" route and then asked if they would share the range. Both times they did.
Nykia Ashmeade FisherProposal Engineer in Atlanta
53
01/06/21 at 1:13PM UTC
in
I think it also depends on what certifications you have. A person with a PMP or some other PMI certification can earn more money than someone without.
Jessica Parker, PMP♦ Technology Leader ♦ Author ♦ Entrepreneur ♦
32
01/07/21 at 6:10PM UTC
in
I ask for fair market value. You do, however, need to have an idea what that might be. Check out salary.com (or a similar site) for geographic and level-specific salary ranges so you have an idea of what you're worth in your market with your experience/certifications.
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