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Maureen Feuti

Implementation Project Manager & People Coach

11/21/20 at 8:33PM UTC

Career

The Salary Question

I've been seeking work since April, and I am now wondering if I should take a different tactic with the few companies that attempt to ask about pay on an initial screening call. Does anyone turn the question back on the employer? Instead answering "what is your anticipated salary?" with a number, saying something like "If presented an offer I expect it to reflect my experience and skills" or something? It's probably petty, I just feel like at least two places turned me down the very next day after only a screening because my initial salary pass was too high. I was willing to take a cut - I need work! - but I am not going to start with undervaluing myself... Anyone have advice or has anyone tried this?

5 Comments

BeaBoss500113

217

Accounting consultant

11/21/20 at 9:05PM UTC

What I do is say it's negotiable but to answer that I would consider (give a range such as upper 50s) to be fair.

Yvette

Nonprofit Data Expert

11/22/20 at 1:46AM UTC

No, that sounds almost confrontational. You also don’t want them in the position of offering too little money and being embarrassed. Give a range with a $10k spread, so they have a good sense of what you can accept. I usually say, “I can’t accept less than $X, but I’m looking for something closer to $Y.”

User edited comment on 11/22/20 at 1:47AM UTC

Melisa Osorio Bonifaz

11/22/20 at 5:40PM UTC

I agree with the comments above: I think it's important to give them a range of 10K. Don't go below a number you wouldn't be comfortable with making, even if you need the job. There are plenty of opportunities out there and I'm sure you will find someone who will pay you what you deserve. I like to say: I'm looking for something in the range of x and y. It sounds like you know what you want, but that you're flexible. Good luck!

Cinzia Iacovelli

125

Marketing Project Manager, Digital Events

11/23/20 at 4:10AM UTC

Hi Maureen, give them a range and tell them it's negotiable and you are open to discuss the salary.

Ariella Goldman

Magic is just statistics I don't yet understand

11/24/20 at 9:49PM UTC

I've had good experiences giving them a flexible range. I've definitely turned down interesting-sounding opportunities because the pay was significantly less than I was expecting.