| Cover letters are often the most difficult portion | | | | applying. Knowledge is rarely a bad thing and by |
| of the job application process. While you want to | | | | understanding the going rate for the position in |
| provide a good overview of the details that are | | | | your area you have a better idea of what to |
| pertinent to the position and whether or not you | | | | expect financially from the work you will be doing |
| qualify there are times when a certain bit of | | | | but also how much is a fair salary for the position |
| information is simply too much information. Your | | | | in which you are applying. |
| salary history is one of those bits of information. | | | | You should also compare the salaries according to |
| There is really no space for a salary history or | | | | experience if possible. Entry-level positions will pay |
| salary requirements on a cover letter. In fact, | | | | considerably less than those available for mid-level |
| many people have found that giving a salary | | | | careers or even those who are filling very senior |
| history or listing a salary requirement is often an | | | | positions. You want to compete on a level that is |
| act of shooting themselves in the foot. For this | | | | appropriate to your experience, skills, and others |
| reason it is best to offer too little rather than too | | | | in your field. |
| much information. | | | | If a company continues to push even after |
| What if they company requests a salary | | | | you've attempted to be vague or offer a range |
| requirement? This is indeed a sticky situation. | | | | rather than a specific salary it is quite possibly a |
| Many companies use this to eliminate employees | | | | good time to seriously consider whether or not |
| that are out of their price range off the bat. In | | | | you really want to become part of their |
| some case, companies have used lower salary | | | | organization. These companies are often focused |
| requirements listed in order to make lower offers | | | | far more on profits than they are on the people |
| rather than offering the standard rate. This can | | | | who work for them, which could be a rather |
| hurt in a big way in the long run and creates a | | | | unpleasant working environment for most. Most |
| lower salary history than you may be worth. In | | | | of us would much rather take a lower salary |
| other words, if it isn't a direct request on behalf | | | | working for a company that appreciates its staff |
| of the company, avoid it all together. | | | | than make more money working for a company |
| If the company has requested your salary | | | | that is hyper-focused on productivity and profit. |
| requirements or a salary history be sure that you | | | | Most companies such as this, however, are going |
| give a salary range (and be as broad as you are | | | | to offer salaries on the lower end of the scale at |
| comfortable being) and explain to them that the | | | | any rate but you should beware and talk to |
| salary you will be willing to work for on this | | | | others who work for the company before coming |
| particular job depends greatly on exactly what it | | | | on board once you make it to the interview |
| is you will be expected to do. This accomplishes | | | | process. Remember you should interview the |
| two things. First, it gives you an opportunity to | | | | companies you are considering working for rather |
| put off the final answer to that question for a | | | | than merely allowing them to interview you. |
| while. Second, it invites further details and, quite | | | | Keep these things in mind if the company |
| possibly, an interview with the company in order | | | | specifically requests that you include your salary |
| to further discuss what will be expected of you in | | | | requirements in your cover letter. If you are not |
| the position for which you are applying. | | | | instructed or advised to do so however, you |
| You definitely want to avoid giving out a salary | | | | should avoid including salary information whenever |
| requirement that could hurt you in the long run. | | | | possible. It is better to allow the company to |
| To avoid this situation is it wise to check a | | | | make a genuine good faith offer and negotiate |
| general range of salary for the position you are | | | | from there than it is to get a lower offer or |
| applying for and make sure that it is applicable in | | | | overlooked for a potential position on the basis of |
| the location of the position for which you are | | | | salary constraints alone. |