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What are you looking for as far as salary?!
Hi! I am new to this site so I apologize if this has been discussed previously.
I lost my job due to Covid back in March and have been looking for a job to no evail. I’ve had interviews but nothing has worked out therefore I believe it is something I’m saying or doing in my interview that is not getting me even a second interview. One of the topics that I have trouble with is knowing how to navigate the “salary topic” I know that it’s best to not give a number because it can either hurt you or help you. I’ve read articles with suggestions on how to do this but I don’t know if my execution is great. Also, there have been times where I’m sort of forced to give a number- how do I convey that I would like my salary to be $X but I’m willing to take less because I’m pretty desperate to get something. I’m a single mom about to lose it all so if it’s $10k less than I had hoped I’m willing to take the job because I need it.
Thank you !
Know Your Value (A great book by Mika Brzezinski, BTW highly suggest to anyone on this site who has not read it!). Research your position and experience on sites like Salary.com, Glassdoor.com, LinkedIn.com and even Indeed.com - this will give you a good range of what the market is as a starting point. On Glassdoor, you can look up a company and see salary of positions within the company, perhaps there's a similar one to your role that would give you some insight.
When asked, pointedly in an interview or screening, I say, "I'm sure you/the company, have a range in mind that would be commensurate to my level of experience, perhaps we can begin there." This usually opens their eyes and their mouths. Get them to divulge first if at all possible.
If they push back, you can say, well, with my level of experience and market knowledge, salary.com (or wherever you garnered your base range from) says $xx is a fair beginning point for discussion. I'd be happy to work with you if you're within that range.
If they come back lower, don't simply jump at it out of desperation. Breathe, look away and say something like, well, that would work for the initial on-boarding. I would like to see that number increase by $xx after my 90 day review. I'm sure you will see my value by then and be willing to work with me on this. Negotiating is a 2-way street.
You don't have to play hard-ball. Generally you can negotiate with confidence as long as you have done your research and can back up your expectations.
I recently had a recruiter pursue me for a similar position to mine. He asked what my salary expectations were, I answered with the "I'm sure your client has a range in mind...I would have to do my research on S, Gd, LI and I before I could give you a $ for this position." He then said it's range is $-$$, I told him I would not have looked at the position in that range and would not have applied for it. So he offered to propose they bring the $ up a bit either at hire or 60 days in (in writing in the offer).... So yes, you can get them to tell you the range AND get them to discuss more. Just be aware, confident, and remember to take a breath before responding.
Good luck!
Great answer, kudos!
I love this! Thank you so much and i will 100% pick up this book.
I have noticed that the salaries recently that are listed for some opportunities are lower than what the company may have previously paid. I am not sure if that is in response to the pandemic and so many people being out of work that they can get away with paying less?
I state a range the bottom number being 4× my housing expense the top number adding 25-40% on to it (this is for savings and retirement contribution flexibility).
Another way to approach the topic is to reply by saying "I'm sure you have range in mind for this role, and that range is...." as a way to get them to show their hand first.
I like this... thank you! Thats a really good number to keep in mind.
Firstly I want to convey my support and sincerest "you go gal!". You are not alone and truly it's quite possible it's nothing you're doing and just the horrendous process of applying for a job among a sea of others who have lost their job.. but it is great that you are working so diligently and reaching out for help. Keep pushing forward and do not let it make you doubt your worth!
As far as the salary question goes, I think this is something that is changing among recruiters so it's hard to say. If they are more "old fashioned" and want a number from you without showing any of their cards I would give them a range if you can. True, some places might not like it but I almost always put a range and have used as much as a $15k spread before for roles I needed to know more about. If it's in an interview, why not say something like "I'm generally comfortable at X, but I understand we're in a different market today. I would be fine with Y and a plan in place to reach X with performance as I'm confident I would bring you that value."
In more progressive HR circles, transparency is a trend. Data is suggesting that posting the salary range up front actually shortens the recruiting process which saves both time and money. If they don't require an answer on the application don't fill it out (in my experience with this, no answer is way better than a wrong answer) and if you are called by a recruiter for an interview just ask them if they are able to share the expected salary range so that you know what to expect (saying you want to "know what to expect" shows it's not necessarily a deal-breaker for you if it's low). Whatever their answer is, you'll have a better idea about how to approach the interview.
I hope this helps! Either way, keep going. As a career coach and someone who works in an HR office I have been hearing hundreds of stories of very qualified people searching for months without finding a job. You are not alone, this is a very tough time for many. But you will get through it!
Thank you so much for your response and positive energy, I appreciate it more than you know!
All of the interviews I have been on recently they have asked for my "number" without providing a range. I have replied that I am flexible (which I believe has been to my detriment because it might look like I am desperate?) and then asked if they have a range in mind. They have seemed a bit put off but I could just be reading into it too much, so knowing that it is an 'ok' thing to do provides me with the confidence to respond.