Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

Giver

18427

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

I have a salary request for ya. How much money will you pay me not to tell your boss you're job shopping?

Extortion. It's the other white meat.

I kill myself.

runnergirl29 - 2005-12-14 6:13 PM

Exciting news- I just received an email for a position with a pharma company in Raleigh that I applied for Monday night.

The person wants me to contact her and send another copy of my resume along with a salary request.

My questions is- how do I formally submit a salary request? I've never had to do this before because my recruiter handled all that. Is this something I put in a cover letter or what's the best way to present that?

All responses are appreciated

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The Original

7834

Raleigh/Durham

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

In all seroiusness, I need some advice on this.

Do I give them a range or an exact amount? And...how much more do I request without being greedy? Who's a recuiter here who can help me. Where's Renee- isn't she a recruiter??

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Master

2052

Colorado

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

Give them an amount on the extreme high end of the spectrum for what is reasonable for this position. They'll counter with a lower offer, then you can negioate something in the middle. I don't know how formal it needs to be ... it could be as simple as saying "Attached is my resume blah blah blah. My salary request is between $XX,XXX and $XX,XXX"

Good luck! And just remember -- always always always ask for more than you think you'll get. You never know what people might agree to, and DO NOT undersell yourself.

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Elite

2458

Livingston, MT

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

ChipmunkHeart - 2005-12-14 2:31 PM

Give them an amount on the extreme high end of the spectrum for what is reasonable for this position. They'll counter with a lower offer, then you can negioate something in the middle. I don't know how formal it needs to be ... it could be as simple as saying "Attached is my resume blah blah blah. My salary request is between $XX,XXX and $XX,XXX"

Good luck! And just remember -- always always always ask for more than you think you'll get. You never know what people might agree to, and DO NOT undersell yourself.

What she said. Ask high, reject low, counter middle.

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The Original

7834

Raleigh/Durham

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

I was thinking about typing a letter specifically to the person who emailed me and throw the salary request in there?? Not sure if this is the thing to do.

I was also thinking about drafting a cover letter and including it in that, but I hate writing cover letters. I don't include a cover letter unless it's required for application. I applied for this through monster.com and didn't include a cover letter and they didn't request one.

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Elite

2458

Livingston, MT

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

You can do it in the email or in a cover letter. The cover letter is much more presentable, but either way it's hard to go wrong.

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Pro

4206

Los Angeles, CA

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

I'd go with formal so I agree with Chucky with the coverletter idea. Though email is probably fine, you don't know if the person is 'traditional' or not.

You can use www.salary.com and on the far left, enter your job discription and zip code and see what the going rate is. I would then ask for a little higher than the highest salary point on that graph. Of course, if it's not reasonable based on your qualifications, then alter a bit. But that website is a good indicator of the going rate.

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Champion

6539

South Jersey

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

I agree with what Chippy said. Just put a range, but keep the range to $5,000 or so, unless you're planning to make about 100k (then the range can be larger). But that's just my opinion. YOu don't want to get too low in that you get a salary less than what you deserve nor do you want to appear underqualified by giving a low salary. Going too high will either make you seem too greedy, out of touch with your field, or overqualified.

Also, I know there are sites out there that tell you what the normal salary is for a certain position, in a certain location, with whatever # of years experience you have, degrees, etc.

Also, if you're writing a cover letter, put it in there. You probably heard back from someone in HR and whoever your hiring manager will be will also be interested in your salary requirements. YOu don't want the HR person you emailed to have the responsibility to tell your salaray requirmeents to everyone that your cover letter and resume goes to. Just put it in the letter.

Good luck!!!

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Elite

2421

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

I'm too lazy too look right now, but you should be able to google your way to a few sites that will give you a good range of the salaries of a given position in a given industry in a given geographic region.

bts

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Champion

11641

Fairport, NY

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

Here's another tip: in your response, don't use the word "request". Too wishy washy. Use either "requirement" or "salary range: $nn,nnn to nn,nnn". I'm assuming they don't want to hire a dish rag.

Also, don't forget that things like vacation can be negotiated. You may find it easier to get an extra 5 days vacation in lieu of a couple grand in salary.

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Master

2314

Gulf Shores, AL

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

Couple of thoughts -

o Are they getting you without a headhunter fee? If yes, thats good for you as thats a considerable savings and gives them more money to play with.
o Are they paying a relo? Are you a renter or homeowner? Cheap relo's have make it easier to win on the salary side.

Give a reasonable range, but its cool to negotiate benefits/bonus/vacation etc.

Good luck

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Expert

822

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

Congratulations!

Maybe things have changed in the last couple years since I was job hunting, but I have always heard that you don't talk money until the end. It's the last thing to be negotiated and discussed, not the first. You evade all questions and put off all requests.

Tell them your salary requirements are "negotiable". Tell them you're confident that you both will be able to reach a satisfactory compromise on your salary. Tell them your salary requirements are similar to others with your experience level in your industry in that area. Tell them you believe in good faith that the company offers competitive salaries (as stated on their website?) and that's good enough for you to move forward with the mutual interest at this time. But don't give a number.

You want to get a job offer first, and that will come after many conversations, not just a single email. Then you can talk salary. You want to make sure that you want them and they want you, more than any other job or candidate. (That's more important than salary anyway.) Once they've committed to you with an offer (which will include salary), you have the power and you can decide what to do with it.

They don't really want a number anyway. They're just looking to weed out people who require a lot more than they're willing to pay. If you tell them you're open to any reasonable, competitive offer, they'll be satisfied.

Best of luck!
Mike

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Champion

6539

South Jersey

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

ellismichael - 2005-12-14 9:36 PM

Congratulations!

Maybe things have changed in the last couple years since I was job hunting, but I have always heard that you don't talk money until the end. It's the last thing to be negotiated and discussed, not the first. You evade all questions and put off all requests.

Tell them your salary requirements are "negotiable". Tell them you're confident that you both will be able to reach a satisfactory compromise on your salary. Tell them your salary requirements are similar to others with your experience level in your industry in that area. Tell them you believe in good faith that the company offers competitive salaries (as stated on their website?) and that's good enough for you to move forward with the mutual interest at this time. But don't give a number.

You want to get a job offer first, and that will come after many conversations, not just a single email. Then you can talk salary. You want to make sure that you want them and they want you, more than any other job or candidate. (That's more important than salary anyway.) Once they've committed to you with an offer (which will include salary), you have the power and you can decide what to do with it.

They don't really want a number anyway. They're just looking to weed out people who require a lot more than they're willing to pay. If you tell them you're open to any reasonable, competitive offer, they'll be satisfied.

Best of luck!
Mike

That sounds good, and when I was job hunting, I put "salary negotiable" when it was asked for in the job posting. However, since this woman contacted her directly and specifically asked for her salary requirement, I'd be afraid to advise in not giving it. I dunno...it's a tough one.

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Champion

6539

South Jersey

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

ellismichael - 2005-12-14 9:36 PM

Congratulations!

Maybe things have changed in the last couple years since I was job hunting, but I have always heard that you don't talk money until the end. It's the last thing to be negotiated and discussed, not the first. You evade all questions and put off all requests.

Tell them your salary requirements are "negotiable". Tell them you're confident that you both will be able to reach a satisfactory compromise on your salary. Tell them your salary requirements are similar to others with your experience level in your industry in that area. Tell them you believe in good faith that the company offers competitive salaries (as stated on their website?) and that's good enough for you to move forward with the mutual interest at this time. But don't give a number.

You want to get a job offer first, and that will come after many conversations, not just a single email. Then you can talk salary. You want to make sure that you want them and they want you, more than any other job or candidate. (That's more important than salary anyway.) Once they've committed to you with an offer (which will include salary), you have the power and you can decide what to do with it.

They don't really want a number anyway. They're just looking to weed out people who require a lot more than they're willing to pay. If you tell them you're open to any reasonable, competitive offer, they'll be satisfied.

Best of luck!
Mike

That sounds good, and when I was job hunting, I put "salary negotiable" when it was asked for in the job posting. However, since this woman contacted her directly and specifically asked for her salary requirement, I'd be afraid to advise in not giving it. I dunno...it's a tough one.

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Champion

6539

South Jersey

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

ellismichael - 2005-12-14 9:36 PM

Congratulations!

Maybe things have changed in the last couple years since I was job hunting, but I have always heard that you don't talk money until the end. It's the last thing to be negotiated and discussed, not the first. You evade all questions and put off all requests.

Tell them your salary requirements are "negotiable". Tell them you're confident that you both will be able to reach a satisfactory compromise on your salary. Tell them your salary requirements are similar to others with your experience level in your industry in that area. Tell them you believe in good faith that the company offers competitive salaries (as stated on their website?) and that's good enough for you to move forward with the mutual interest at this time. But don't give a number.

You want to get a job offer first, and that will come after many conversations, not just a single email. Then you can talk salary. You want to make sure that you want them and they want you, more than any other job or candidate. (That's more important than salary anyway.) Once they've committed to you with an offer (which will include salary), you have the power and you can decide what to do with it.

They don't really want a number anyway. They're just looking to weed out people who require a lot more than they're willing to pay. If you tell them you're open to any reasonable, competitive offer, they'll be satisfied.

Best of luck!
Mike

That sounds good, and when I was job hunting, I put "salary negotiable" when it was asked for in the job posting. However, since this woman contacted her directly and specifically asked for her salary requirement, I'd be afraid to advise in not giving it. I dunno...it's a tough one.

My Training Log My Race Log

Champion

6539

South Jersey

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

ellismichael - 2005-12-14 9:36 PM

Congratulations!

Maybe things have changed in the last couple years since I was job hunting, but I have always heard that you don't talk money until the end. It's the last thing to be negotiated and discussed, not the first. You evade all questions and put off all requests.

Tell them your salary requirements are "negotiable". Tell them you're confident that you both will be able to reach a satisfactory compromise on your salary. Tell them your salary requirements are similar to others with your experience level in your industry in that area. Tell them you believe in good faith that the company offers competitive salaries (as stated on their website?) and that's good enough for you to move forward with the mutual interest at this time. But don't give a number.

You want to get a job offer first, and that will come after many conversations, not just a single email. Then you can talk salary. You want to make sure that you want them and they want you, more than any other job or candidate. (That's more important than salary anyway.) Once they've committed to you with an offer (which will include salary), you have the power and you can decide what to do with it.

They don't really want a number anyway. They're just looking to weed out people who require a lot more than they're willing to pay. If you tell them you're open to any reasonable, competitive offer, they'll be satisfied.

Best of luck!
Mike

That sounds good, and when I was job hunting, I put "salary negotiable" when it was asked for in the job posting. However, since this woman contacted her directly and specifically asked for her salary requirement, I'd be afraid to advise in not giving it. I dunno...it's a tough one.

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The Original

7834

Raleigh/Durham

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

I think I won't discuss a salary range until after I interview. If I remember correctly, my old head hunter didn't discuss salaries until I was offered the job.

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Champion

6539

South Jersey

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

Sorry about my triple post. I hit "submit" and nothing happened, so I hit it a few more times. Still, nothing happened, so I closed my explorer. I logged back in only to find that I had posted three times. My bad!!!

It's not a shameless attempt to increase my post count

.

Good luck with the job interview. Sounds like you have a lot of good prospects, and while that job you discussed yesterday may make you feel as though you're making a greater contribution to society, don't sell yourself short and be ready to change your whole life for a lower salary and a job you think will make you happy. Eventually, the stuff you do at work becomes "just a job," no matter how good you feel about the end result. You'll always want an escape from your job, and with taking one with a much smaller salary, the opportunities for those "escapes" may not be there. You want to be happy both in and out of work. (I know, money doesn't buy happiness, but you do need it to do most things in life that make you happy.) Once you find a job that you're happy with (e.g., it's challenging, interesting, etc.), you can find ways to make your contribution to society - volunteer, start some sort of giving program in the workplace, etc.) My company actually has a great corporate giving operation (not just in terms of giving money), if you want to discuss some ideas.

Sorry to sort of hijack...

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Expert

916

San mateo California

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

runnergirl29 - 2005-12-14 8:23 PM I think I won't discuss a salary range until after I interview. If I remember correctly, my old head hunter didn't discuss salaries until I was offered the job.

So, if you get this job... will you be posting as much as you usually now do.... We are going to miss your posts... (I know I will)...

but in all seriousnes.... good luck.... and Congratulations....

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Master

1597

Colorado

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

He (or she) who talks money first loses. Your answer to a written request is "salary can be discussed at a personal meeting". If they don't get back to you then you weren't a strong candidate to begin with. Then when they ask you at the meeting your answer is "While salary is important, I'd really like to make sure that the position and I are a fit first". If they press you, your answer is "As I said, salary is important, but I have several other concerns that I need a clear picture of first", then list them- benefits, location, daily activities, corporate culture, whatever you want. Bottom line is make them put an offer on the table first. When you get it, say thanks and ask for a day to go over it. Once they have made the offer they have invested so much time/effort in you that you are in control. Then come back with a 20% increase and see what they say. I bet you'll get 10-15%.

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Champion

6627

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Gold member

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

Exactly. Very solid advice.

Stake - 2005-12-14 11:12 PM He (or she) who talks money first loses. Your answer to a written request is "salary can be discussed at a personal meeting". If they don't get back to you then you weren't a strong candidate to begin with. Then when they ask you at the meeting your answer is "While salary is important, I'd really like to make sure that the position and I are a fit first". If they press you, your answer is "As I said, salary is important, but I have several other concerns that I need a clear picture of first", then list them- benefits, location, daily activities, corporate culture, whatever you want. Bottom line is make them put an offer on the table first. When you get it, say thanks and ask for a day to go over it. Once they have made the offer they have invested so much time/effort in you that you are in control. Then come back with a 20% increase and see what they say. I bet you'll get 10-15%.

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Extreme Veteran

604

Ohio

Subject: RE: Salary Request- what's the right way to do this?

Congrats! How exciting!!

marmadaddy - 2005-12-14 9:06 PM

Also, don't forget that things like vacation can be negotiated. You may find it easier to get an extra 5 days vacation in lieu of a couple grand in salary.

Yep, I was going to mention this as well! Benefits and vacation are big extras that you can't forget when thinking about salary. Meaning, will you have to pay out the wazoo for health benefits? If so, think about how that would factor into your salary needs. Extra vacation is always nice!

Edited by Sassafras 2005-12-15 7:42 AM

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