Cover Letter

Addressing Salary Requirements In Cover Letter

Addressing Salary Requirements In Cover Letter

Job advertisements sometimes ask you to specify salary requirements when submitting your cover letter. If a job posting requires you to address salary requirements in cover letter or resume form, not all is lost. Related: 7 Examples Of Fresh New Ways To Start Your Cover Letter But, many job seekers feel uncomfortable revealing their desired salary before they've even scheduled an interview. If you're one of those people, don't worry—there are some ways to comply with the employer's request while avoiding having to immediately provide a specific answer. One technique for addressing this topic in a cover letter is to list a range of salaries you've earned throughout your career. For those who have been in the workforce for a while, it is common for this range to be fairly wide. So you could say, “ I've earned between $50,000-$75,000 in previous positions, and I would be happy to discuss salary after an interview." Another way to address the issue is to offer a ballpark figure. For instance, you could say, “My current salary is in the low six figures." Or, “My current compensation, including bonuses, is in the $80s." Remember to factor in bonuses, 401(k) matching, mileage reimbursement, and other additional forms of compensation when providing them with a number. Sometimes employers will specifically ask you what you earn in your current position. Non-employee workers (subcontractors) can easily avoid this question by stating, “As a contractor, my compensation varies from month to month." If you suspect a position for which you're applying pays less than you currently earn, you can say, “My current salary is $65,000, but I am willing to negotiate if that is out of the hiring range for this position." When asked about salary, the most important thing is to not sell yourself short. Unless the number you stipulate is significantly above what an employer is willing to pay, it shouldn't prevent you from getting an interview. In addition, providing a somewhat general answer about salary requirements can aid you in appearing flexible and willing to negotiate. This post was originally published at an earlier date.


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About the author

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez, CEO of Great Resumes Fast is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, and presenter. Want to work with the best resume writer? If you would like us to personally work on your resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile—and dramatically improve their response rates—then check out our professional and executive resume writing services at GreatResumesFast.com or contact us for more information if you have any questions. Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert.
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