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?

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

Same here.

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.

Seriously.

I am continually amazed at what people do when they respond. Most notably, they don't read the listing. I'm hiring researchers. The ads specificially say we're doing marketing research. I get buttloads of medical researchers responding. Ummmm...no.

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

Maybe I can make extra money by teaching a class on "what you can expect to make, and how much you'll have to bend over, after graduation."

"Hey, you! You with the Communications degree! You'll be getting 500 bucks a week to get lunch for David Greenwalt! This will afford you a bachelor apartment in the valley without a kitchen, and an '86 Honda."

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.

Yes, this -- the "required salary" on my cover letter is ALWAYS about $5k more than I'm making now (rounded up). First because switching jobs is a PITA (changing insurance, etc), and second because that way there's room to negotiate without ending up taking a pay cut.

Maybe I can make extra money by teaching a class on "what you can expect to make, and how much you'll have to bend over, after graduation."

"Hey, you! You with the Communications degree! You'll be getting 500 bucks a week to get lunch for David Greenwalt! This will afford you a bachelor apartment in the valley without a kitchen, and an '86 Honda."

I so wish you would do this. It would make my life easier.