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Many help-wanted ads request an applicant's salary history
so this is often concerning to job seekers when writing a
cover letter. Employers do this in order to screen out applicants
whose salary requirements are too far above or too far below the salary being
offered - and screening a cover letter is far easier than
asking the job applicant.
For example, consider an employer who wants to pay $1,800 a month for a Customer Service Representative. He receives a
cover letter from someone whose past salary has been $2,400 a month.
The employer reads the cover letter and may decide this person will not be happy nor interested in the position at the $1,800 salary level.
Therefore, it's likely the employer will choose not to interview this
individual and has just screened him about by merely reading
the cover letter. The applicant may or may not be happy with a starting salary of $1,800 a month but loses his chance to make that decision, as well as an opportunity to learn more about the
position, because the issue of salary was not handled well
in the cover letter.
Just because salary information is requested doesn't mean that you have to supply
it in your cover letter. If your resume and cover letter build a strong case for your qualifications an employer will risk calling you even if you don't supply salary information. If it's a real sticking point, the employer will ask about your salary on the
phone once he's read the cover letter.
When the employer calls, you're cover letter has achieved
its goal. The employer is on the phone and you have gained
greater control of your job search and can now address the
salary issue yourself rather than in a cover letter. You can
also better assess the position and decide whether or not you want an
interview now that your cover letter has worked.
To be on the safe side, I recommend not giving salary information in your cover letter. If you feel you must
include salary information in your cover letter then give a range.
For example, if you will take $1,800 a month, but prefer a
starting salary of $2,000, you might write a sentence in
your cover letter that reads:
My current salary requirement is in the range of $1,800 to $2,000 per month.
If you wish to increase your salary, for example, taking it from $55,000 to $65,000+ consider using a
statement like the one shown below in your cover letter:
My current salary requirement is in the mid to high sixty range. If you would
like further salary details please contact me at (555) 555-5555.
For
more of my cover letter strategies you can find more links
below.
This
information is extracted from my book, Proven
Resumes Strategies That Have Increased Salaries.
The cover letter strategies in my book have been responsible
for helping clients raise their pay $2,000 to $80,000 more
per year.
If you're having difficulty creating a resume and
cover letter - you
might consider hiring me to write your resume.
The fee is $150 or $250 ... or consider buying my largest
book, Proven
Resumes Strategies That Have Increased Salaries -
it's 331 pages for $9.95.
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Order Master Resume
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Contents, Regina Pontow, 1997-2013
