I just got an e-mail back about a job I’d applied for. The e-mail asks for some portfolio samples (no problem) and salary requirements. I remember reading in another job interview advice thread something along the lines of, “the first person to mention a specific dollar amount loses,” but I’m not very good at the job application/interview game. Could some o’ you businessy-type Dopers give me advice on how to reply?
Take this from a guy who’s gotten more and hired more jobs than just about anyone: that ‘first person to mention a number’ thing is crap. It’s assuming you want the job regardless of pay. And that’s a losing proposition more than anything else.
You know your work. You know what you’ve been paid. And you know what you want to be paid. Name that figure. If they think it’s too high then they won’t hire you. The corrolary to that is that they don’t think you’re worth as much as you think you are. Therefore if you took the job at their lower salary you’d simply end up resenting the job and the company in the long run. No good.
So just name your salary. Don’t treat it as a negotiation. It’s what you want and if they can’t or won’t give it to you then you don’t have a fit. Voila!
Hell, that reason is exactly why I put ‘resume and salary request’ on my help wanted ads. It lets me only interview people who are in my ballpark and not waste anyone’s time.
So name it and move on. It’s the best way to make sure both sides come out happy.
Use general figures, like “mid-40s”; but don’t be specific like $43,000. They are trying to establish a ceiling and you are trying to establish a floor, so the more vague you can be, for as long as you can, the better. Do some research for the similar jobs in the market and say something about you’re looking for a competitive salarly near or above the market range of $42-46,000, not including benefits. Also note that your salary requirements are flexible based on benefits, frequency of salary reviews and advancement opportunities.