The Pongo Blog
POLL: Salary Requirements in Your Cover Letter
February 12, 2009 (10:05AM) by Julie O'Malley, CPRW
It's almost Valentine's Day, so let's use a chocolate analogy...
Putting salary requirements in your cover letter is like saying: "I am a delicious chocolate treat and I would like you to pay $19.95 for me."
The employer (having never met you) might read your cover letter and assume you're an overpriced bag of Hershey's Kisses – when in reality, you could just as easily be an underpriced box of Godiva Truffles.
Therefore, the rule is: no salary talk in your cover letter.
But what if the job ad specifies that all applications must include a cover letter with salary requirements? Choose an answer from our poll below to let us know how you would handle this cover letter dilemma:
[poll:5]
Please feel free to elaborate or share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
RELATED LINKS
Cover Letter Basics: 5 Steps to a Top-Notch Letter
Straight Talk about Writing Cover Letters
7 Experts Offer Their No. 1 Cover Letter Tip
The Interview: How to Answer the Salary Question
The salary poll voting question was an eye-opener for me...never gave much thought to it before.
Believe the question goes hand-in-hand with resume-posting, resume writing, and resume distribution... Great Advice!
Posted by: eResumes4Vips | February 12, 2009 at 6:13 PM | Quote This Comment
In my past, I have nearly always been told, by the employer, what they pay for the position offered and will have a raise after the probation period. There is always the option of; Take it or hit the road! Oilfield companies are Not flexible because of the numerous applicants available. Just get a foot in the door first, then proceed from there!
Posted by: Olen Loffer | February 13, 2009 at 2:13 PM | Quote This Comment
Being a recent college graduate with little relevant work experience, to ensure the best possible chance of being hired I always offer a salary requirement which doesn't make me look greedy but will still allow me to afford living in the city I want to move to. Your own survival should always be taken into consideration when offering your own salary requirements (1/3rd of income should be allocated for rent, 1/3rd for food and the other 1/3rd for bills and miscellaneous). You don't want to tell the employer you will work for $10.00 per hour just so you can get hired. Having a job won't do you much good if you don't have a roof over your head.
For instance, if I am applying for jobs in New York City I might ask for $28K-$35K per year. This is like asking for minimum wage in most other cities, however, at least it will get me a room in Brooklyn and allow me to eat and pay my bills. Promotions and raises can always be part of the equation later on.
Posted by: Tim | February 17, 2009 at 2:49 PM | Quote This Comment
@Olen, Sometimes it's easier when they present salary that way. Negotiating is stressful, if you ask me :)
@Tim, You're right -- you have to know your bottom line, as in "I can't live on less than $XX." But don't stop there. You could be selling yourself short if the "going rate" for a specific job is higher than your bottom line.
To get a fairly realistic idea, use the online salary calculators at Payscale.com or Salary.com to find out what the average salaries are for specific job titles in your city. But bear in mind that, as a recent grad with little experience, you'll likely be on the lower end of the salary range.
Thanks, guys! --Julie
Posted by: Julie O'Malley | February 17, 2009 at 3:09 PM | Quote This Comment
yeah, you could be selling yourself short. is 28-35k really enough to get by in NYC? i'm making about that much in the suburbs and i'm getting by just fine... but prices of everything are higher in NYC so the salaries are usually upped to compensate for the higher cost of living. cuz i was curious, i checked out NYC salaries on salary.com... an administrative assistant makes an average of 37-47k a year. don't be greedy but don't sell yourself short either.
Posted by: john | February 17, 2009 at 11:53 PM | Quote This Comment