salary inclusionWhat should you include when a company posts this at the end of an online job posting: "Qualified applicants may forward a resume and cover letter (including salary requirements) " I am interested in the job, but do not want to low-ball myself or include a number that would potentially rule me out either. The posting also states: Pay Range: You can: (a) ignore their request and take your chances that they ignore you, (b) acknowledge their request but skirt the issue until you know more about the job's responsibilities and benefits package, or (c) give them what you feel the job is worth and what you need to accept the job. Everyone has an opinion on what to do... how badly you need this job (or any job) will guide you on how you answer. If I were you, I'd submit my resume and a cover letter containing my anticipated salary range. The general rule is it's not worth switching jobs unless you can increase your salary by AT LEAST 10% to 15%. If you use this general rule as a guideline to help insure that you stay in the running for this job, I'd write a sentence something like this in the last paragraph of my cover letter, (letting $X represent your current salary): "My anticipated salary, depending on the requirements of the job, is negotiable within the $X+10% to $X+15% range." By doing that you provide the information requested and you also leave room for further negotiations after you learn more about the job. If your anticipated salary range screens you out, so be it. It wouldn't make sense, all other things being equal, to switch jobs for less. Make sense? Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert | |
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