How to handle salary requests on online job applications

You CAN learn to negotiate
salary effectively!

Many potential employers will ask you to include your salary requirement when you apply for an open position. In fact, some online job sites require that you put a numeric amount in a required box.  (I hate that!)

So how do you handle the dreaded salary box on online job application sites? You have several options, most of which have risks. 

Here is my advice:

How to negotiate a high salary after a low paying job

Learn how to negotiate a higher salary.

If you took a lower paying job to survive the recession, you may find that hiring companies will offer you a salary based upon your current low pay rather than your former going rate. To negotiate for a higher salary, take these steps:

4 essential articles to help you negotiate salary effectively

Are you dreading the salary question from a potential employer, whether it is posed on an online job application form or at an interview? Here are four articles that can help you answer salary requests as effectively as possible:

How can I negotiate a salary if I’ve never had a job?

Job Seeker Q and A

Q. How can I negotiate a salary if I have never had a job?

A. My response:

How to learn the salary range for the job you want

Learn the salary ranges for the jobs you want!

Do you want to know what a position pays before applying for the job or before giving out your salary range? There are several web sites that can give you a general idea of what a company or industry pays based on the job title and your geographic area.

How to negotiate a better salary

Did you take a lower-paying job during the recession or have you been toiling at a job that never did pay well? 

Take steps to improve your chances of getting paid better at your next company.

Here's how:

How to handle salary requests on online application forms

Negotiating salary pays off!

Many potential employers will ask you to include your salary requirement when you apply for an open position. In fact, some online job sites insist that you put an exact number in a box. (I hate that!)

Complicating the situation is the effect the recession has had on salaries, which in some fields, has lowered pay by as much as 40 percent.  

So how should you handle the salary requirement question?

How to negotiate a fair salary after working at a low paying job

Learn how to negotiate a higher salary.

Did you take a lower paying job during the recession, or have you been toiling at a job that never did pay well? 

If a new company offers you a job based upon your current low salary, take steps to improve their offer.

There are two steps to landing a higher paying position:

How to handle salary requirement requests

You CAN learn to negotiate
salary effectively!

Many potential employers will ask you to include your salary requirement when you apply for an open position. In fact, some online job sites require that you put a numeric amount in a required box. Unfortunately, how to handle this challenge has become even more vexing now that, according to the Wall Street Journal, returning workers are accepting, on average, a 40 percent pay cut from their old jobs.

So how to handle the salary requirement question? You have several options, most of which have risks.

If the job posting includes a required numeric salary requirement box, you really only have two options:

1) Enter the lowest possible salary you are willing to take.

2) Enter the salary you really want (based, of course, upon your salary history, the position requirements, and what the going rate likely is due to the bad economy).

Risk: You may price yourself too high or too low for the position.

Solution: Seek to reach and impress the company’s decision makers or recruiters through other means, such as through networking or by contacting them through LinkedIn, by sending a letter or email, or by calling them.


If the request does not mandate that you fill out a numeric salary box, you can:

1) Ignore the request.

Risk: You may not get an interview because you didn’t follow directions.

Solution: Instead of ignoring the question, write, “I’d really like to arrange an interview with you to learn more about the job and to discuss the salary range. I think you will find, that my salary requirements are quite negotiable dependent upon the job duties and benefits.”


2) Include your salary history rather than your salary requirement.

Risk: If your former salary was higher than the company wishes to pay, you can be rejected before you ever get an interview.

Solution: Include your salary history followed by, “Please note that I do not require making the same salary that I did before and am in fact far more interested in working very hard in a satisfying job experience.”


3) State that your salary requirement is negotiable.

Risk: An employer may pass you by because you are being evasive.

Solution: Expand upon your "I'm negotiable" statement by saying, ”My salary requirement is negotiable. I am so eager to become part of XYZ Company! I am sure we can work out a range that will be mutually agreeable. ”


4) State a range, rather than an exact figure, to leave the door open for negotiation. Consider a statement such as, “My salary requirement is in the $60,000 - $70,000 range.”

Risk: Employers may opt to pay you at the bottom of your range rather than at the top.

Solution: Add qualifying statements like these so you can negotiate up when you've been offered the position):
a. “In response to your request, my salary requirement is in the mid-to-high $60K range depending on the job requirements and benefits XYZ Company offers.”
b. “My salary requirement is negotiable based upon the job responsibilities and your total compensation package.”
c. “Based upon the salary research I've done, my salary requirement is in the $35,000 - $45,000 range.”
d. “An acceptable salary range for this position, based upon the description and my research, is around $70,000 to $75,000, not including benefits. My requirement is flexible and negotiable within this range, depending on factors such as additional benefits and increased advancement opportunities.”

Be ready to respond to salary requirement requests. After all, it could help you land a job or get a better paying one!

What questions do you have about salary requirements? Ask questions via the Contact tab. If I can be of help, let me know. -- Kathy
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