What are salary requirements ?
Salary requirements refer to the amount of money you are comfortable working at, in a particular job. Usually, your salary requirement is asked during a job interview and this information can be used by the company in deciding whether to hire your or not. As such, most experts recommend not listing down a particular amount, as this may lead you to be hired with a low salary, or your application denied due to high salary expectations.
When asked about salary requirements, the best thing you can do is tell the company you’re open for salary negotiations after being hired. However, if the interviewer insists on knowing your salary range, make sure to state an amount higher than your last paycheck or the reasonable amount you’d be willing to work for. It is important that you check industry rates and compare it with your level of experience to get an estimate of your salary requirement.
Most people have no idea that salary requirements involve negotiations. If you really need a job immediately, you may be willing to work even with a low salary to be hired for the job. If this is your situation, you can always start by asking a high salary, then agreeing to take less.
If a job is offered to you, let the employer offer a salary before you negotiate. If you feel that the salary is less than what you expect, express your concern nicely with statements like, “I feel that the X amount (suggest your salary expectation) is more appropriate for my skills and experience”, instead of a defensive manner like “I can’t work for such a low salary, I’m better than that!”
Whether you’re desperate in getting a job or not, make sure not to convey desperation during an interview. Also, knowing if your job entails a salary cap would help you decide whether that job is worth signing on. In every job application, your first goal should always be “to get hired”, then discussing salary requirements should always be the last step. When a company tells you “you’re hired!” or “we want you on the team!”, you are given a chance to bargain your salary expectations and discuss how much the company is willing to pay to get you signed.
Some companies offer a non-negotiable salary, which is often stated in a job ad or description. In these cases, it is important to ask about the company’s policies in getting a raise and the time it would take for you to be considered for a raise.
In general, if you desperately need a job, grab it even with a low salary, but make sure it is within the salary range of your industry. If you can wait for a job with better pay, then get your negotiating skills going. You’ll never know it; you might just get the job of your dreams.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:00 am
When somone is paid salary wage, is he/she required to clock in and out on a time clock card?
I have been told by my employer that I am hired on a Salary paid, but I have to clock in and out when I arrive to work and when I take my lunch hour…… I thought this was required only when getting paid when working by the hour only.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:00 am
When somone is paid salary wage, is he/she required to clock in and out on a time clock card?
I have been told by my employer that I am hired on a Salary paid, but I have to clock in and out when I arrive to work and when I take my lunch hour…… I thought this was required only when getting paid when working by the hour only.
August 21st, 2008 at 12:21 am
no
September 28th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Do employers get to choose the days that they want to pay you for. when you are a salary employed. I was under the impression that salary is payed no matter how many hours more or less.
November 28th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I have recieved a state letter for a job interview that says an amount next to a “S/M Salary” description. What does “S/M Salary” actually mean? I ask, because the amount is somewhat lower then expected (I thought it may mean, “monthly”, but now I’m not sure what it means).