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So like, I've been applying to a bunch of places trying to find a summer job, and one of the questions that I've found on every application has so far stumped me.
Expected Salary
How am i supposed to answer something like that? How am I supposed to know how much you want to pay me?
Well, If I post too high, are you going to automatically decline me employment?
What If I post too low? am I selling myself short and working for too little?
So far, I havent been applying for anything above minimum wage positions, so I've just put the minimum wage in Connecticut which is $8.25.
But I was wondering, is this the wrong way to go about it? should I be asking for more on an application, or am i thinking too much about it?
Appreciated, TL
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Writing negotiable would be your best option. Putting in the minimum wage is a bad idea since some will actually start you higher but if they can get away with paying you minimum than well ya...
Some interviewers will ask you this question during the interview so you should prepare yourself =\
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Ask around and see what the expected pay is for a job.
i.e. cashier, retail would make minimal wage? here in Australia it is at least $15 per hour.
You can always be honest and just say you don't know what is expected and starts from there, if your employer isn't a total douche then he would understand that it is your first job.
Don't sell yourself too cheap, in my experience Employers do not really care, most people already had a wage in mind before they put out the job notice. This is not a 6 figure salary that you need to negotiate.
Then again, I don't know what culture they have over there. Maybe cash in hand is the norm? and how old are you? Personally I don't think it's worth it to do a job to get like $5 dollars an hour. Your time is much better spend some where else.
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I usually do some research to find out how much other people are generally getting paid for the same type of work, then I'm ready, if necessary, to ask for a generous, but reasonable, rate. There are wage surveys of all kinds out there for just this purpose.
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If it is a standard position (they have like 10+ people doing the same job) they wont give you any less or any more than anyone else. Put a range, but as I said it wouldn't matter if you are going to flip burgers.
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I remember a discussion in class about this. What my teacher claimed as the most appropriate response was "as much as my qualification and job position are considered". I don't know if it sounds clear, but the point is: as much money as possible for your quality (education, achievements, etc)+job occupation. So you don't give a specific amount, while you still get what you want (hopefully).
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I JUST submitted an application a couple days ago. What I put was "Standard entry level wage". That says that you know that you don't want to be paid over much for your starting position, but don't want minimum pay if you can get better.
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Russian Federation905 Posts
Thank me, Im a Career Adviser by profession.
My advice to you:
1. Before you go to that interview, RESEARCH on the salary range for the job you are applying for.
2. Never answer the question first time. Instead, respond, politely and firmly: "How much does the company offer for the position?"
3. If he insists, respond on the ceiling range (this means that you have done your research before hand). A safe response to this is 20% over the expected salary range.
4. NEVER say negotiable. You'll look like you don't know anything (it's ok not to know anything, just don't inform them about it)
5. Whatever you do, NEVER, EVER, say you don't know.
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On June 21 2011 07:14 skyR wrote:
Writing negotiable would be your best option. Putting in the minimum wage is a bad idea since some will actually start you higher but if they can get away with paying you minimum than well ya...
Some interviewers will ask you this question during the interview so you should prepare yourself =\
This exactly, for a summer job like this always always put negotiable. It's probably just a standard form, and not really a big deal anyways, but still do this.
There is no point in researching the standard wage and all that for a summer job (I'm assuming a basic service job or some such).
On June 21 2011 07:32 Sovetsky Soyuz wrote:
Thank me, Im a Career Adviser by profession.
My advice to you:
1. Before you go to that interview, RESEARCH on the salary range for the job you are applying for.
2. Never answer the question first time. Instead, respond, politely and firmly: "How much does the company offer for the position?"
3. If he insists, respond on the ceiling range (this means that you have done your research before hand). A safe response to this is 20% over the expected salary range.
4. NEVER say negotiable. You'll look like you don't know anything (it's ok not to know anything, just don't inform them about it)
5. Whatever you do, NEVER, EVER, say you don't know.
I can imagine this is good advice, but here I just think that he is applying for a job at McDonalds or the like. Honestly, you could probably put like $100/hr and they wouldn't care-- they will just pay you whatever they usually do anyways.
Or if you are really unsure, just leave it blank, as I said they probably don't care.
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On June 21 2011 07:32 Sovetsky Soyuz wrote:
Thank me, Im a Career Adviser by profession.
My advice to you:
1. Before you go to that interview, RESEARCH on the salary range for the job you are applying for.
2. Never answer the question first time. Instead, respond, politely and firmly: "How much does the company offer for the position?"
3. If he insists, respond on the ceiling range (this means that you have done your research before hand). A safe response to this is 20% over the expected salary range.
4. NEVER say negotiable. You'll look like you don't know anything (it's ok not to know anything, just don't inform them about it)
5. Whatever you do, NEVER, EVER, say you don't know.
This.
Depending on what you're interviewing for, this is a good place to show you know the field you're working in, the position you're applying for, and the experience you have in this area. Always research, and always try to evaluate yourself in relation to this.
If it's just a temporary and summer job, that isn't based around a degree or specialized training, it won't necessarily matter to much.
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I think (#5 mostly) is terrible advice. I've done quite a few interviews in my tenture, and one of the few things that is an absolute auto-reject for me is somebody acting like they know something they don't. And guess what? I'm not a complete idiot. I can tell if you don't know something. Acting like you do just makes you look a) like you don't know what you are doing, and b) like a manipulative poser.
I know it sounds cool to walk in and be "polite but firm," but I prefer people who are honest and sincere. Polite or not, I prefer a straight answer to a fair question, not clever posturing.
#1 was good advice. My advice for OP is research what the going rate for that job is. Decide where your boundaries lie, meaning where in that range would you be happy. Do you have particular skills which would make you more valuable? If so, tell me why. If you are convincing in your argument, I will be receptive. I am not going to throw you out just because your salary request is too high. I am a lot more receptive to people who are direct and don't try to hoodwink me. If I think you would be a valuable addition, I'll make you the offer that I think is fair. You are welcome to counter, and again, I'll decide if it's worth it to me. This is how negotiation works, and while "shooting high" might win you some, it'll lose you some too. Seems like a silly gamble to me.
Anyway, that's my perspective on it, FWIW.
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I suggest just saying 10 dollars an hour for min wage positions. Going over a little is better, as it shows you value yourself and implies confidence and competence on your part.
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OP you better tell us what type of jobs you are going for.
Retail and fast food is obviously going to be different to say an internship.
They key thing here is being reasonable.
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EPT
