Salary Requirements Unique SituationI currently have a position as a 1099 contractor that is 100% commission with no benefits. I earn reasonably good commissions, but it is also important to note that my current position is very seasonal...80% of my "work effort" each year is February through May even though commissions continue to flow to some degree throughout the year. I am applying for a position that is requesting "salary requirements" in the cover letter.They are offering a "generous" salary, commission, and bonus package along with medical, dental, life, LTD, 401K, and excellent travel benefits. There is the also the possibility of telecommuting as long as I would visit their corporate hq on a regular basis (which is no problem). Like anyone, I never mind being paid more money, but since I am used to a strictly "pay for perfomance" job anyway (i.e. 100% commission), and will have earned a fair amount of my annual compensation by May, I would be willing to work for a very low base salary to start assuming the other benefits are as good as they sound (health, 401k, travel opportunity, telecommuting possibility, etc.) as my commissions will continue to flow for the rest of the year. So the question is: How do I state in the cover letter that I am willing to work for ABC Company for a fairly low base salary to start if we can negotiate the other issues and if the commission and bonus package is such that I can earn double or triple the base? On the other hand, if they want to pay a larger base salary plus commissions, bonus, and benefits that would be fine, too. Bottom line: I want the job more than I need a large base salary, and am very willing to negotiate the commission/bonus/benefits to get my foot in the door in this particular industry. I don' t want to leave money on the table, however. Thanks, Based on what you wrote, I don' t think you can completely achieve both goals, i.e. Get your foot in the door in a job you apparently want AND avoid leaving some money on the table. If I were you' d I' d basically re-work what you wrote here in put exactly what you' re truly willing to do in your cover letter - although I wouldn' t put it in terms of "willing to do," but rather in terms of realistic expectations that you have regarding the core issues of salary, benefits and their negotiability as far as you' re concerned. This sounds like an ideal negotiation situation, but if I wanted this job, I wouldn' t' t be as concerned about any money left on the table to start. If you' re willing to take less to "get your foot in the door," I think that during the negotiation stage you have to make that clear, with the qualifier that having gotten your foot in the door and proven you value, that there has to be a mutual understanding that the base salary can be revisited after such-and-such date - having made it clear that most of your present compensation is earned by May. Without giving away the store, I think you should be fairly candid about your present situation and what you' d be willing to "sacrifice," (which you' re really not because of the way your currently being paid), in the short term to get this job. If I can understand what you' re trying to do, I' m sure the prospective employer can understand it and would be willing to agree to pay you less now than perhaps they think the job is worth - with the understanding that at such-and-such point, the salary will go up and why. Bottom line: be as forthcoming and honest about your situation and what you' re prepared to do as you can. Zat help? | |
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