A lot of jobs I've applied for (with want ads) have asked for a pay range in the cover letter--so as not to waste anyone's time with interviewing someone that's out of range.

In thoroughly random news, for lunch today, I'm mostly eating the left over Indian food from yesterday's free lunch, but by the time I got the the kitchen, people had picked out most of the protein containing parts, so now I'm dipping mozzerella sticks in the left over sauce.

It's weird, but oddly good.

Pay range info is so helpful too in figuring out what level of person they're really looking for, too. Again with the time wasting and the glayvin.

That and "salary conmessurate with experience."

What does that even MEAN? Just friggin tell me what figure you're starting at. Don't make me apply, call me for an interview, and tell me you want the whole world on a silver platter for 26K. Allysons start at 45K, yo.

I'm having problems with this right now. I'm interviewing for 3 different positions (I'm the interviewer). We ask for salary history, but most won't give it. If they look promising, I call and do a phone interview, part of which is a salary requirement question. Again, some won't answer.

Recent college grads are delusional. I've had more than 1 person who has just graduated, no real work experience (waitressing at Chili's does not really count) and say they need, minimum, $40K+. Now, if you're in a highly trained area, you would probably get this or more, but not in marketing. C'mon.

Recent college grads are delusional. I've had more than 1 person who has just graduated, no real work experience (waitressing at Chili's does not really count) and say they need, minimum, $40K+. Now, if you're in a highly trained area, you would probably get this or more, but not in marketing. C'mon.

But they need their shiny new SUV and condo and their Bulls season tickets to go with their new life as an adult, don't you know?

Pay range info is so helpful too in figuring out what level of person they're really looking for, too. Again with the time wasting and the glayvin.

Seriously.

Recent college grads are delusional. I've had more than 1 person who has just graduated, no real work experience (waitressing at Chili's does not really count) and say they need, minimum, $40K+.

Ha! Even in New York.

Although, I can't believe the girl who works for me hadn't already quit here (although it really is a good place to work). It was her second job out of college, she's been here two years, and was still making bupkis. Luckily, she just got a huge raise. She's still making a relatively crappy salary (it is nonprofit, after all), but SO MUCH BETTER than it was.

I've had folks respond to an ad which specified "entry level" with requests for 80k a year. WTF?

I've had more than 1 person who has just graduated, no real work experience (waitressing at Chili's does not really count) and say they need, minimum, $40K+.

If someone's going from a job waitressing at Chili's directly into the salary range it took me 16 years of skilled white collar work to get to, I hope it's because she saved a CEO from choking to death at one of her tables.

Part of the reason I get a little nervous about putting my salary history on the cover is I'm afraid the job starts at 50K but they'll say "whoot! we got her for a bargain!"

Or maybe it starts at 42K, but there are awesome benefitsthat even it out, like a better retirement plan or more vacation time or the ability to work from home a couple days a week.

It's all so sketchy, but I give them what they ask for.

IMO, cover letters should have a range you're looking for, not your salary history. I mean, aren't you looking for a bump up? Yes you are.

I've had folks respond to an ad which specified "entry level" with requests for 80k a year. WTF?

Are they... lawyers? Doctors?