Salary Requirements at a New Job

Hey folks,

In the process of applying for a new position, I was asked to submit a salary requirement. I certainly don't want to embarrass myself by asking for what I make in journalism, but I don't want to price myself out of contention for the position. I also want to be paid for what my experience (years in the business, and college degree is worth) It seems to be a pretty delicate situation and I don't want to take myself out of the running.

Its a communications/Public relations position at a non-profit for what its worth.

Any ideas on how to respond? Thanks.

 

"Negotiable" Don't give a number first, no matter how hard they try to get you to.

 

Agreed. It's just a way for companies to get you to lowball yourself. Nothing good can come from you giving them salary requirements. Either you price yourself out of consideration or you end up accepting less than what they would have likely been willing to pay.

Go through the interview process. If they offer you the job, then you talk money. Force THEM to make the first salary offer and negotiate from there.

 

This question ought to be unconstitutional. I've never heard back from any job where I've been asked for salary requirements, and I've played it every way possible.
I used to either ignore it or say "negotiable," but when I was out of work, my career adviser told me I absolutely, positively had to answer.
I make less than half as much at my current job, so I just tell them what I made at my previous job, and say essentially, "I understand I might not be making that much to start, but I'd like to reasonably close to that number. Privately, I'd accept 65-75 percent of the difference.

 

I hate when they ask.

1. I'm embarrassed by what I make in journalism.
2. No way a non-newspaper job is paying less than what I'm already getting (unless I go back to fast food), so I don't want to shoot myself in the foot and take less money than they may have offered.