Including your salary requirement in a cover letter can be tricky. You want to make sure that you are asking for a fair wage, but you don’t want to price yourself out of a job before you even have the chance to interview. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of including your salary requirement in a cover letter, and give you some tips on how to negotiate once an offer is made. Let’s get started!
Why do Employers ask for Salary Requirements?
Employers ask for salary requirements as a way to screen candidates. They want to make sure that they are not wasting their time interviewing someone who is asking for too much or too little money. It is also a way to gauge whether or not you are serious about the job. If you are not willing to disclose your salary requirements, the employer may think that you are not serious about the job or that you are trying to hide something.
When to Include Salary Requirement in a Cover Letter?
If the job posting asks for salary requirements, you will need to include them in your cover letter. Make sure that you address the requirement in the first paragraph of your letter, and be as specific as possible.
For example, if the job posting says “salary requirements must be included,” you might write something like this:
“I am looking for a position that pays between $60,000 and $70,000 per year.”
This shows that you have done your research on the market rate for the position and that you are reasonable in your expectations. If you are unsure of what to write, or how specific to be, err on the side of caution and give a range rather than a specific number.
However, if the job posting or application does not specifically ask for salary requirements, you should not include them. This can be a red flag to employers, and may even disqualify you from consideration.
How to Include Salary Requirement in a Cover Letter
There is no one formula for “How to include a salary requirement in a cover letter”. However, there are a few things that you can do to make sure that you are putting your best foot forward. Here are a few of the most common options:
1. In the Opening Paragraph.
If the job posting asks for salary requirements to be included, you will need to address this in the first paragraph of your cover letter. Be as specific as possible, and make sure that you are within the range that you are comfortable with.
Here are a few examples of How to include your Salary in the opening paragraph:
- “I am looking for a position that pays between $60,000 and $70,000 per year.”
- “My current salary is $75,000 per year, and I am looking for a position that pays in the same range.”
- “I am open to discussing salary requirements after the initial interview.”
Remember, if you are unsure of what to write, or how specific to be, it is always better to err on the side of caution and give a range rather than a specific number.
2. As a range.
If you are unsure of what to ask for, or you want to leave room for negotiation, you can give a range rather than a specific number. This shows that you have done your research on the market rate for the position and that you are reasonable in your expectations.
Here are a few examples of How to include a Salary as a Range
- “I am looking for a position that pays between $60,000 and $70,000 per year.”
- “I am looking for a salary in the $60,000 – $70,000 range.”
- “I am comfortable with a salary between $60,000 and $70,000.”
- “I am open to negotiating a salary within the $60,000 – $70,000
3. Say Salary Requirements Are Negotiable.
If you want to be a little more coy, you can say that your salary requirements are negotiable. This shows the employer that you are interested in the job and that you are flexible when it comes to money. However, make sure that you have a number in mind that you would be comfortable with, just in case they decide to take you up on your offer.
Here are a few examples of How to inform your potential employer that your salary requirements are negotiable.
- “I am open to negotiating a salary within the $60,000 – $70,000 range.”
- “My salary requirements are negotiable.”
- “I am comfortable with a range of $60,000 to $70,000.”
- “I would be willing to negotiate salary within the $60,000 – $70,000 range.”
4. State That You’re Flexible.
If you want the job, and you are willing to be flexible with your salary requirements, you can state this outright in your cover letter. This shows that you are interested in the position and that you are willing to work with them on salary.
Here are a few examples of how you can state that you are flexible with your salary requirements:
- “I am open to discussing salary requirements after the initial interview.”
- “I am willing to be flexible with my salary requirements.”
- “I am open to negotiating my salary.”
- “I am flexible with my salary requirements.”
Remember, if you are going to take this approach, you need to have a range in mind that you are comfortable with so that you don’t end up getting low-balled.
Salary Requirements in a Cover Letter Example
Here is an example of how to include your salary requirements in a cover letter. This person is looking for a Marketing Manager position that pays between $90,000 and $100,000 per year:
Salary Requirements in Cover Letter Example (Text Version)
Hello Hiring Manager,
I am a Marketing Manager with 5+ years of experience leading the marketing campaigns for several notable companies. My skills lie in planning and executing marketing strategies, as well as developing high-performance teams that deliver results. I have a proven track record for increasing profits and brand awareness for a wide range of companies.
I am also confident that I am a great fit for the position and would love to be a part of your team. In regards to salary, I am looking for a position that pays between $90,000 and $100,000 per year.
My passion is coordinating teams to achieve marketing goals. I have a keen eye for detail and work hard to ensure that every aspect of the campaign is completed on time and within budget. I also thrive on collaborating with multiple departments to provide exceptional service to customers.
You can find my resume attached, along with references from my past managers who sing my praises! Please feel free to contact me at [phone number] or via email at [email address]. Thank you for your consideration!
Sincerely,
Your Name
Tips for including your desired salary expectations in a cover letter
There are a few other things to keep in mind when it comes to including salary requirements in your cover letter.
- First, make sure that you are using the same format as the job posting. If it asks for salary requirements to be included in the body of the email, make sure that you include them in the body of your cover letter.
- Second, if you are including a range, make sure that it is a reasonable range. Don’t ask for too much, or you will risk being passed over, but don’t ask for too little either, or you will not be taken seriously.
- Finally, if you are unsure of what to include, or how specific to be, it is always better to err on the side of caution and give a range rather than a specific number. This will show the employer that you have done your research and that you are reasonable in your expectations.
FAQ’s
What should you do if an employer asks for your salary requirements?
If an employer asks for your salary requirements, be honest and give them a range that you are comfortable with. If you have no idea what a fair wage is, look up salaries for similar positions in your area and use that as a starting point. Remember that you can always negotiate once an offer is made, so don’t feel like you have to give your bottom line right away.
Should I disclose my previous salary history?
Some job applications will ask for your previous salary history. This is different than disclosing your salary requirements, and you are not obligated to share this information. disclosing your salary history can work against you, as it can lower your asking wage. If an employer asks for this information, you can simply say that you are not comfortable sharing that information.
How to figure out a fair salary range?
If you are unsure of what to ask for, or how to figure out a fair salary range, there are a few things you can do. First, look up salaries for similar positions in your area. This will give you a good starting point as to what people are earning in your field. You can also use online salary calculators, like the one at payscale.com. These calculators will take into account your experience, education, and location to give you a more customized salary range.
When it comes to negotiating your salary, always remember that you have the upper hand. The employer wants you, and they will likely be willing to negotiate to get you on board. Stay confident, and don’t be afraid to ask for more money.
Key Takeaways
In a nutshell, it’s really simple to state compensation needs in a cover letter once you’ve discovered the secret. Let’s take a look at some key takeaways on How to mention salary requirements in a cover letter
- Don’t include your Salary if you are not asked for by the Employer in the Job Description.
- Research the market rate for the position and state that you are reasonable in your expectations.
- Include a salary range if you want to be more specific.
- Say that your salary requirements are negotiable.
- State outright that you are flexible with your salary requirements.
- Use sentences such as “I am open to discussing salary requirements after the initial interview” or “I am willing to be flexible with my salary requirements.”
Including salary requirements in your cover letter can be a tricky business. But, if you follow these tips, you will be sure to make the best impression possible. Good luck!