Thoughts Before Giving My Resume to Firm 2

[NCAASwimmer]

Before I go to drop-off my resume I am debating putting my salary of my current job only or not putting it. From research gathered about my position and location I see that it falls where it should be and where I want it for my 10 years experience after college, not to low not to high. I want to avoid a low figure.

and

I am sure I will interview with the person who can make hiring and salary decisions. Is it alright to talk salary before the offer letter in the mail?

Thank you to all.

 

[ash9144]

I wouldn't put it on a resume. I'd wait for the interview and if they are interested it will be a topic they bring up. Also notice a lot of people now request that info on the application they want filled out and are more demanding of they info.

 

[TheTick]

I never reveal my exact current salary. When pushed on the subject, I push back with "What value do you put on this position?" That has actually worked well for me in the past.

Honesty may be the best policy, but insanity is a better defense.

http://www.EsoxRepublic.com

-SolidWorks API VB programming help

 

[Gymmeh]

I have a been told if you really can’t tactfully come up with the...
"What Value do you put on this position?"
to say
"For a X engineer position I would be looking for $X0,000-$X5,000"
Or, if they directly ask what do you make now?
"I make Around X,000 – X5,000 and am looking for X0%-X5% more depending on the job requirements."
My experience has varied a lot; once I didn’t say what range I was looking for and got a major low ball and they would not even match my current pay because they gave a number so far below what I was making they thought I was lying by asking so much.

But also I have told people a range, and never got called back…so basically with all that said…my advice, flip a coin, sweet talk and give your best smile.

 

[KENAT]

Don't put it on the resume.

If they want it in advance they'll ask for it.

I'd be hesitant about giving my actual salary even then.

Both my jobs I've been asked at the interview what I wanted.

At both of them I ended up kind of getting more, not sure how that worked!

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[vc66]

When I go into an interview and they ask me to fill out the forms, I leave salary blank. If they like you as a candidate you can work it out later. There's no need to tell them anything-if you bomb the interview, then it really doesn't make a difference anyway.

Also, if they do ask you your current salary, I always say 10% more than I currently make, this way when I say I'd be willing to go accept the job for a 5 % increase over that (which is modest depending on experience), it's actually a 15% gain. There's always about 10% that can be used for bargaining.

Good Luck!

V

Mechanical Engineer
"When I am working on a problem, I do not think of beauty, but when I've finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong."

- R. Buckminster Fuller

 

[Ashereng]

If they ask for the salary info, then I would give it (there is some debate on this issue if you do a search of the Eng-Tips fora). Otherwise I would not.

One typcially discuss renumeration AFTER one gets the job.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[Heckler]

If you put your current salary on your resume' you have placed a value on your skills and given up one of your negotiation pieces.

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 4.0 & Pro/E 2001
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_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

This post contains no political overtones or undertones for that matter and in no way represents the poster's political agenda.

 

[Maui]

You have no way of knowing whose hands an electronic or hard copy of your resume may end up in. If a copy somehow circles its way back to your current place of employment, your co-workers may be able to find out your salary is. This can cause all sorts of problems if they discover you earn much more than they do. I see no benefit in including the figure on your resume, and I personally would never include it.

Maui

 

[apsix]

I would suggest to be truthful if you are asked, or give them a range. Otherwise you could be embarassed further down the line, as well as raising ethical concerns.

 

[TenPenny]

As I see it, for anyone looking to hire or to be hired, the issue is NOT what you currently make. The issue is, how much is the employer willing to pay you, and how much do you want to be paid?

Stating what you are currently making is of value only if you want to be paid the same rate.

 

[PSE]

A resume is for capturing and concisely presenting who you are as a professional individual. All the previous posters have given useful advice so don't bother with salary information on a resume. Even if I were to see a salary on a potential applicants resume, I would likely not give it any credence. The applicant could be coming from another part of the country or world and salary information would only be potentially representative of the region where they worked. Someone making $ X could be using USD, Canadian Dollars or Hong Kong Dollars etc.

Your best bet is to research thoroughly what the typical salary rates are for a position give your level of experience and location. This gives you an idea as to what you should be able to expect when the inevitable subject of salary comes into play.

Regards,

 

[epoisses]

Using Hong Kong dollars is a great tip! No ehtical concerns: +700% there you go!! :-D

 

[csd72]

That was what you got paid for that job, this is a different job with different responsibilities. There is no direct correlation between the two.

Either they can afford you or they cant, it is that simple.

csd

 

[NCAASwimmer]

Wow! Great posts to think about. To all of you providing help in my future - Thanks! I will let you know the outcome. Thanks to all you...I am now looking forward to hearing from them.

 

[civilperson]

Xerox a salary stub showing a week or two weeks gross and deducts, (use a fat week with 12 hours overtime at time and a half). They can multiply by 52 if they want and you say NOTHING. This is a sure fire 15% boost with better benefits1

 

[NCAASwimmer]

So far no calls yet and its been one week and one day.

I agree with vcastro66, Heckler, and TenPenny about the app. Maui - A place I interviewed for years ago, I saw one of the staff that interviewed me two weeks later looking for a job at my place with my boss! I lost respect for the firm and their employees after that happened. Too many hands, is there a good boss out there that still keeps it private between you and him?

 

[Maui]

NCAASwimmer, that scenario would send up red flags immediately with me too. There are some good bosses out there, and the ones that I had in my prior company were two of the best I have ever known. I think that all of us would like to work for a company that treats their employees fairly, compensates them well, and provides them with steady and interesting work. But the difficult part about finding a position in such a company is that their current employees are unlikely to ever leave, so the openings are few and far between. And when they finally do have an opening, it is usually filled by word of mouth so it never gets advertised publicly. Unless you make the right connection, you are out of luck. And the vast majority of us find ourselves in that very situation. I wish that I had a better answer for you. And I hope that you receive good news from these people. Good luck to you.

Maui

 

[civilperson]

I only use my salary on a resume to keep low ball offers from taking up a lot of my time. If you have a lower limit that MUST be exceeded and it is above the normal salary range, then put it on the initial application. Otherwise, leave money discussions to the very end. Be creative in how you structure your compensation. Use a week vacation as a 2% raise and company car as 600/month untaxed benefit, etc.

 

[ewh]

I have never been refused a position just because I did not list my salary requirements. If I am low-balled, I look upon it as gained interview experience (and perhaps a wake up call to them as to what competitive rates really are). The only situation where I do make my requirements known up front is when I am dealing with a contract shop. Otherwise, dealing with them can easily be a waste of time.