By Chron Contributor Updated July 10, 2020
When there are large numbers of workers seeking employment, employers are often inundated with hundreds of applications for just a few jobs. One way that employers cut through the massive slush pile is by requiring applicants to disclose the salary range they're seeking. Although this may seem an unfair advantage, the process saves both you and the employer time and discomfort during the salary-negotiation process.
With Honesty
When asked for a salary range, be upfront. Provide a range of at least $10,000 – and answer based on your knowledge of the industry, company and position, says Robert Half. Ensure that with each step of the employment process, you are forthright and respond to each request your potential employer asks of you.
Avoid tactics like delaying an answer until you know that you are on the short-list of candidates. Don't use the tired line, "My salary requirement is negotiable." Doing so may turn off your prospective employer, who's got a timeline and budget in mind – and no time for games. Don't worry about being screened out of a job. If you know your worth, you don't want to settle for less, according to Monster. Moreover, if you're a finalist, the employer will work with your numbers to ensure you feel the negotiation is win-win.
With Research
Expect that the employer has a salary range in mind based on what the company pays to people currently in similar roles, as well as what they know about the pay scales of their competitors. Information is power – and currency – in all negotiation situations. The more you know about the company, the industry and the position, the easier it will be to provide a competitive and appropriate salary range.
Start with the general and move to the specific. Research your industry's salary surveys and visit salary-related websites to find out what someone makes with your level of experience, education and within your geographic area. Use social media to reach out to people who know the appropriate range. You might find the person who recently held the position, or find that you have a connection to someone in the company. Ask for an introduction and get the information you need. When asked for a range, indicate the extensive research you undertook to provide your salary requirements.
With the Future in Mind
Give yourself room to grow. Remember, the increases you receive are based on your initial salary. A good rule of thumb is to keep the lower end of your range at least 10 percent above your current salary, or the number you determine is a reasonable salary for the position.
For example, if you currently earn $50,000, you may say that your range is $55,000 to $65,000. Alternatively, you might determine that the position – and your skill set – are worth at least $75,000. In that case, state that your range is $75,000 to $85,000. Be sure that the bottom of the range is the lowest amount you're willing to accept. You are free to make the range as large as you like, but you might not want to appear as though you're making too much of a concession in the final salary negotiation.
Without Current Salary Information
Your current salary is nobody's business but your own. Do not volunteer this information or use it as part of your range discussion. Look at it this way: the prospective company should consider your current salary as almost irrelevant. Your desired salary is a function of the value you bring, the problems you can solve and what the prospective employer can pay.
You also might determine from your research that you were – or currently are – under-compensated. Or, if you're changing careers or want fewer responsibilities, your new salary requirements could reasonably be lower than your current salary. Unless you're asked outright for your current salary, just provide your desired salary range. However, let the prospective employer know that you are willing to negotiate. For example, "My salary requirements are negotiable within the range of $25,000 to $35,000" or "I'm flexible with a salary in the 40s" are perfectly acceptable responses.
