#salaryquestion #knowyourworth #jobsearchstruggles #careeradvice
🤔 Does this mean I’m asking for more than I’m worth? Salary question. 🤑
Have you ever been in a situation where you were asked about your salary expectations during a job application process, only to be told that your expected salary exceeds the company’s range? It can be a confusing and frustrating experience, leaving you wondering if you’re asking for more than you’re worth. But fear not, you’re not alone in this dilemma.
Understanding the Situation
An HR representative reached out to me recently regarding my application to them. They asked some standard questions including my current and expected salary. I gave them a range of what I’m currently making and mentioned I’m looking for a 15-20% increase. However, their response was disheartening – my expected salary exceeded their range, and they decided not to move forward with my application.
Interpreting the Response
Feeling torn between being offended and flattered is a common reaction to such a situation. On one hand, being deemed too expensive could make you question your value. On the other hand, it could be seen as a compliment to your skills and experience. So how do you make sense of it all?
Practical Solutions
1. **Know Your Worth**: Before entering any job application process, do thorough research on the market rates for your position and level of experience. Websites like Glassdoor and Payscale can provide insights into salary ranges in your industry.
2. **Clearly Communicate Expectations**: When asked about your salary expectations, be honest and transparent about what you’re looking for. Providing a specific range based on your research can help align expectations with the employer.
3. **Negotiation is Key**: If your expected salary exceeds the company’s range, consider negotiating other benefits such as additional vacation days, flexible working hours, or professional development opportunities. Sometimes, non-monetary perks can make up for the salary gap.
4. **Seek Feedback**: Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback on why your expected salary was deemed too high. Constructive criticism can help you understand where you stand in the market and make adjustments for future applications.
At the end of the day, remember that your value goes beyond a number on a paycheck. Your skills, experience, and contributions are invaluable assets that deserve recognition. Stay true to your worth and continue to strive for opportunities that align with your professional goals. Remember, you’re worth more than you think! 💪🏼
In conclusion, navigating the salary question can be tricky, but with the right mindset and approach, you can overcome any challenges and find a role that values your worth. Stay resilient, stay confident, and never settle for less than you deserve. #careeradvice #knowyourvalue #jobsearchsuccess
No reason to change if you can’t ger more
It’s one company, and you don’t even know it’s not bullshit. Maybe they’re turning you down because they don’t like your face.
If they didn’t share their range and/or only shared this feedback after the interview, that is some passive aggressive, bush-league nonsense. Last wordism, HR style.
Why would you be flattered
That means they aren’t wasting their time because you are willing to work for $30K less than what you are worth.
It means they’re cheapskates and a toxic workplace. You dodged a bullet. If they’re trying to pay you as little as possible it means they don’t value you and wont respect you.
There’s a ton of these shit companies and they don’t deserve anyone working for them.
But the good thing is there are also a lot of good companies that do value their staff, their talents, education, and experience and do pay a living wage. Keep looking. You dodged a bullet.
You’re not in a zone of possible agreement. This company, if they were to extend an offer, wouldn’t pay you something that would make you switch jobs. Much time saved for both parties.
Lately I’ve had a lot of headhunters working for startups, and for European companies, ask if I’m interested in their roles. I have the same situation as you — they are looking for someone more junior, or they have no idea what it would take to compete. This got better when I changed my LinkedIn tag line to show my actual current job title (more senior) instead of the more modest baseline role. OP, you may have to be as upfront as you were about expectations to avoid unnecessary interviewing.
The other comment I have is that 20% would be the bare minimum you should change jobs for, if you ask me. At your level of seniority I would think you’d spend 4 years in a job (taking a promotion) before considering a move elsewhere if there is 40% more total comp to be had, but if you are more of a generalist, perhaps 20% and more frequent upgrades might work, too.
Each company has a salary range that they are willing to offer. It also depends how large the company is; in other words, the larger the company, the higher their budget.
15-20% is actually the market rate, so I don’t think you asked too much, especially when they might negotiate with you for lower.
I usually open up with a 30% increment, but willing to accept 20%. Those companies who didn’t even bother to negotiate ain’t worth your time because they do not value your experience and expertise.
It means they can’t pay what you’re asking. No sense in mulling over it. Move on.
Maybe you are already well compensated at market value
I would never tell a recruiting company my exact salary or that I’m looking for a 20% raise.
“Based on the description of the position, my x years experience in the field and my strong *insert applicable skill or subject matter*, I am looking for starting compensation in the range of $60,000 to 70,000.00. “
Don’t tell them what you make. Don’t tell them you want a raise. You don’t have to answer, or if you do, don’t answer honestly. I wouldn’t tell a bold lie because they may know more than you think, but you can fudge the numbers a bit. I’ve told companies I was 5-10k higher than I was because I wasn’t going to accept less than that to leave.
Even if the position is a step up, make it about what skills you already have and that you want to take the next step forward in applying those skills.
In California it is now illegal to ask what you have made in the past or what you are making now.
Regrettably, it is your loss, not mine, you cheap misers
Well it means you are asking for more than they think you are worth or they have the position misclassified. Keep trying sometimes it’s ok to take a job you are psyched about for a little less or hold out for what u feel u r worth for a little more .
Gonna be honest. You can ask for 15-20% raise, but unless you were significantly underpaid in todays market that will be a big nope from many people.
The silent quit to jump jobs getting 10-20% increases thing ended a year or two ago…
It could mean you are asking for more than the current market rate, but it could also mean that you are not applying for the correct level of position. If you have enough experience to be paid above the going rate for this mid-level role, then you should be applying to senior level roles.
Yes
It means you asked materially more than that job’s salary bands would support, or that there are other similar or better candidates that are asking for less. So it’s one signal you may be asking above market, but just one so it’s not definite.
(There’s actually a third possibility that some portion of the conversation came across as offensive or off-putting to them and the decision wasn’t about the number you gave, but only you would have a feel it that might be the case)
Did you have a reason to expect +15-20% more, like the role was a more senior role than your current role? If not, that’s one thing to consider.
The feedback suggests you believe you are worth more than one company is willing to pay.
Is it a junior role? Hard to say without knowing the title, but overall, it sounds like you know your worth and what you expect is not within their budget/what they’re willing to pay.