How Do I State My Salary Requirements Tastefully in a Cover Letter?

by Debbe
(Staunton, VA, USA)

The company I am applying to is asking for my salary requirements to be added to my cover letter. How do I do this tastefully?

ANSWER: Hi there Debbe... Just because they ask for it, doesn't mean you have to give it to them. What you don't want to do is either give them a reason not to hire you OR to lock you into too low a salary.

I would just say something like, "Salary requirements are negotiable, but should reflect both the going market rate and what I bring to the table."

What you need to know, though, is your walkaway level. Of course, most of us WANT to be paid as much as possible, but the truth is that salary is only one of the factors to be considered when accepting a job offer. Others are benefits, working conditions, the job itself and the people you'll be working with/for.

You don't have to reveal that walkaway figure though. If you do, then the employer may be tempted to offer only that much and no more. Know what your future job is worth in the market and what value you bring to the job and the employer. Proceed with confidence, but no arrogance, and you should make out just fine!