Writing Salary Expectations in to a Cover Letter?

[alltherage]

Does anyone have any suggestions or have you successfully applied with expectations? I just don't know how to throw it in.

"Taking into consideration what the market is paying and what I was making at my last job my expectation would be in the ballpark of $XXXXX??"

Bah. Stupid.

[JiriHrdina]

I would never include that in a cover letter. How do you know what the salary expectations are until you've sat down and discussed the job with the person.

[First Lady]

I would say something more along the lines of;

"Taking my skills and ablilites into consideration; along with the anticipated level of responsibility a salary in the range of $ XX K to $ XX K, would be appropriate renumeration."

Don't pin it on a set dollar, give a range. That way is shows flexibility and is more likely to fall into their range.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I would never include that in a cover letter. How do you know what the salary expectations are until you've sat down and discussed the job with the person.

Some insist on it and even sort by what is stated. Ones that don't state it hit file 13.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I would never include that in a cover letter. How do you know what the salary expectations are until you've sat down and discussed the job with the person.

I agree. Unless you are 100% sure what the job involves, as in done it before with the same company, there is no way you can make that sort of assesment.

Originally Posted by First Lady

Some insist on it and even sort by what is stated. Ones that don't state it hit file 13.

If they are asking about it, then just flat out say what you want. Don't dance around the subject. They understand that you will be paid for your work and if you are not paid what you expect they will not be able to retain your services without some sort of negotiation. That is why they ask for it.

[calf]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I would never include that in a cover letter. How do you know what the salary expectations are until you've sat down and discussed the job with the person.

X2.

Cover letters are meant to sell yourself, and why you're a good fit for the job. Talking salary takes away from that big time.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by First Lady

Some insist on it and even sort by what is stated. Ones that don't state it hit file 13.

Well in that case I would stilll only say "In my previous position as ____ my salary was XXX. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this position and learn more about it before committing to a salary range".

Seems silly to ask someone what they want to make before they know what the job is.

[alltherage]

Yeah they want it in the job posting. I think Jiri's on the right track with the "In my previous position as ____ my salary was XXX. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this position and learn more about it before committing to a salary range".

[Smyth's Skate]

How about, "You must giveth me One Million Dollars!"

I am pretty sure that would work.

[Rathji]

I can haz 1 million dollas?

[flylock shox]

Sneak into the office of the guy doing the hiring and steal photos off his desk. Then photoshop yourself standing next to his smiling family, holding a poorly concealed hatchet behind your back. Send it along with your cover letter and salary demands and a note saying "I know where you live."

Too far maybe?

[fredr123]

Just remember: remuneration, not renumeration. Please. Pet peeve of mine. Thank you.

[Titan]

It seems odd to me to put in a salary expectation or previous salary. If your old salary is way lower don't expect a dime more. If it was way less you will not get the interview. If it is about the same you are locked in. Just my 2 cents. Not my opinion, my salary.

[Titan]

Originally Posted by fredr123

Just remember: remuneration, not renumeration. Please. Pet peeve of mine. Thank you.

Mr. Smarty pants. How do you know they were not talking about taking a list of numbers and putting whole new numbers on that list?

[OilersBaby]

Originally Posted by alltherage

Yeah they want it in the job posting. I think Jiri's on the right track with the "In my previous position as ____ my salary was XXX. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this position and learn more about it before committing to a salary range".

A good friend who works in HR said this is probably the best way because then the company knows what you are looking for...and this method still leaves the new job's salary up for negotiation. If you want to make the same or more as what you make now, then this is the best way because in the event the new job you are hiring for pays way less, they will let you know when they call to interview and then you can make the decision without wasting your time going through everything....

At the same time, if it doesnt matter to you if you make less than your previous or current position than put in what your minimum acceptable range.

[BlackArcher101]

Leave the salary up for discussion during the interview. If they ask for it, I tell them outright what I was making. Pretty rare for a company to ask though these days.

Going further, I would be very very leary about putting any form of salary expectations in a cover letter. With the economic/financial instability, wages/salaries are now changing and demanding $50K one week then having others willing to do the same work for less the following weeks is just asking for your letter to be thrown into the rectangular filing cabinet sitting on the floor.

[OilersBaby]

Yeah but lets say you want at least 50 K..and then it turns out you will only be getting 40K..is it worth your effort to go through the interview to find out that it was a total waste of time?

If you are unemployed or employed but really need a new job and really need money regardless of how it pays I would leave it out. If you are employed and are looking for something better, than I would say what I want. Otherwise its a waste of time.

Also, the original poster mentioned the directions indicated you put your salary history in there..if you leave it out, they are going to get annoyed and think you cant follow directions!!

[RougeUnderoos]

Aah, the cover letter. Is there anything more pointless than a cover letter?

"Hmm, this person seems capable of stringing together a bunch of meaningless cliches. He's hired".

[DuffMan]

How about something like, "With my education and experience, I would expect to be paid close to 80% of the salary range, for the position.
Then they can tell you the salary range.

I've done something like that before, but can't remember how it turned out.

[red sky]

If they require it put it in the cover letter. Simple as that but as others have mentioned, put it as a range and always mention that you are flexible on that amount given benefits, vacation days, etc.