Specifying desired salary

[Luden]

I was given the nudge at work by a few people above me to apply for a new position, the application includes an optional field for desired salary. Should I specify one or is it better to hold off until the interview?

 

[Jugernot]

Hold off....

Or if you want to try your luck, put down 15% higher than you think it's worth. That way you leave yourself a lot of wiggle room.

 

[FoBoT]

if it specifically states "optional" , then i would leave it blank

otherwise, ask for 40% more than you make now

 

[Capt Caveman]

Hold off.

 

[RichUK]

What position are you applying for?

 

[Xavier434]

Write down negotiable and bring it up towards the end of the interview. Haggle with them.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
if it specifically states "optional" , then i would leave it blank

otherwise, ask for 40% more than you make now

Bingo. Althought, I'd do 1/3rd more, not 40.

 

[upsciLLion]

Originally posted by: Xavier434
Write down negotiable and bring it up towards the end of the interview. Haggle with them.

This is what I would do.

Also, Luden, you whore, you never call me.

 

[yllus]

Try your very best not to show your hand first. Let them specify the number they think is acceptable first and go from there.

 

[moshquerade]

I've told a prespective employer what I want to be paid, but not everyone is in the position to be that bold.

 

[upsciLLion]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
I've told a prespective employer what I want to be paid, but not everyone is in the position to be that bold.

Your escort services are unequaled. That is why.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: upsciLLion

Originally posted by: moshquerade
I've told a prespective employer what I want to be paid, but not everyone is in the position to be that bold.

Your escort services are unequaled. That is why.

Thanks, and thanks for the hefty tip last night.

 

[JS80]

Most companies operate on budgets and budgeted positions. It behooves you to put "market" and try to find out what their target budget is.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: JS80
Most companies operate on budgets and budgeted positions. It behooves you to put "market" and try to find out what their target budget is.

in other words, they'll only hire the person that takes what they are prepared to offer


que?

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: JS80
Most companies operate on budgets and budgeted positions. It behooves you to put "market" and try to find out what their target budget is.

in other words, they'll only hire the person that takes what they are prepared to offer


que?

I'd say the answer is "sometimes" which I understand does not help you. In order to avoid being "behooved" I suggest taking the route I posted above, but be ready to throw a number out at them during the interview and explain then that it is negotiable. Odds are they will offer something less which you can come back with counter offer if you want to. Most people are willing to haggle as long as you remain tactful. This whole situation revolves around knowing how to talk to people properly.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: JS80
Most companies operate on budgets and budgeted positions. It behooves you to put "market" and try to find out what their target budget is.

in other words, they'll only hire the person that takes what they are prepared to offer


que?

This can be best analyzed through game theory. Companies only ask salary amount mostly to be able to save money on you in the case your requirement is significantly less than the budgeted position (the other reason is to see if they can afford you). Generally a company will make you an offer if they want you.

Let's say budget is $60k. Let's say you are qualified for this job AND they want to hire you. There are 3 scenarios:

1) You under bid, say $50k.
Result: You will most likely get an offer between $50k-60k.

2) You overbid by a lot, say $80k.
Result: You will most likely not get an offer.

3) You overbid by a little, say $65k
Result: If they were going to make you an offer they can find $5k in the budget to make you happy, or meet you in between (and you'd prob take it)

4) You say market.
Result: They want to hire you so they will offer you at or a little above their budgeted amount.

Stating market will not hurt you but stating an amount you either risk being lowballed or not getting an offer at all.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: Xavier434

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: JS80
Most companies operate on budgets and budgeted positions. It behooves you to put "market" and try to find out what their target budget is.

in other words, they'll only hire the person that takes what they are prepared to offer


que?

I'd say the answer is "sometimes" which I understand does not help you. In order to avoid being "behooved" I suggest taking the route I posted above, but be ready to throw a number out at them during the interview and explain then that it is negotiable. Odds are they will offer something less which you can come back with counter offer if you want to. Most people are willing to haggle as long as you remain tactful. This whole situation revolves around knowing how to talk to people properly.

I agree with you completely, but also depends on the type of company you work for and the field you're in.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: JS80
Most companies operate on budgets and budgeted positions. It behooves you to put "market" and try to find out what their target budget is.

Disagreed. Don't put anything, put negotiable, don't put market. That implies you are worth what everyone else is worth. If they think you are jus tlike everyone else why should they hire you?

The amount they offer you means more than just money. I (as a 22 year old in TX) could live very comfortably on $40k a year, but in my field I shouldn't accept anything less than $55k. It is indicative of your value to the company and how they will treat you the whole time you are there.

You want to be exceptional, not normal. You want to be worth more (and prove you are), not worth what everyone else is paid.

 

[spidey07]

It's never a good idea to put out a number first. Ever. You only hurt your negotiating position. Let's say you put down 80K and they were already prepared to offer you 120?

But you blew it by putting a number out first. In your circumstance they already know what you make (that sucks and already puts you at a significant disadvantage) because if for some reason you apply and then decline it will hamper your career with that company.

So just put negotiable and then deal with the responsibilities of the position and the impact of your decisions. If these are significantly higher than your current position then you should be compensated significantly higher.

 

[Kelemvor]

Only problem with requesting more than you want is you may never get an interview if they think you are overpriced and others will do it for less.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Kelemvor
Only problem with requesting more than you want is you may never get an interview if they think you are overpriced and others will do it for less.

There is no such thing as overpriced. Only what you are worth.

Another reason why you never give a number - you need to interview to see what the position truly entails. Employers have no problem whatsoever spending the money to get a quality product. In many ways, spending more makes the employer feel better.

 

[Luden]

Originally posted by: upsciLLion

Originally posted by: Xavier434
Write down negotiable and bring it up towards the end of the interview. Haggle with them.

This is what I would do.

Also, Luden, you whore, you never call me.

You changed you number me you cheap $@$#!~

 

[Luden]

Originally posted by: RichUK
What position are you applying for?

Security Analyst


Thanks for all the replies, I ended up not specifying a salary just yet. I will negotiate later (that is if there is an later..)

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: Luden
I was given the nudge at work by a few people above me to apply for a new position, the application includes an optional field for desired salary. Should I specify one or is it better to hold off until the interview?

Never good to write it down. Far too easy to be discounted - besides if you go too low, then you will severly hamper negotiatons once you realize you went too low.

 

[Britboy]

let them quote a range first, never go first..............