when asked desired pay for an attorney, what should you say

by Bernardo Koepp 6 min read

Not all applications will ask for your desired salary, so if they don’t ask, there’s no need to give one. And if they do ask, keep things simple by saying something like “ salary is negotiable ” or “salary may be discussed during the interview process.”

The best way to answer desired salary or salary expectations on a job application is to leave the field blank or write 'Negotiable' rather than providing a number. If the application won't accept non-numerical text, then enter “999,” or “000”.

Full Answer

Do you have to answer what is your desired salary?

Oct 25, 2021 · On my application, I listed my desired salary range as $70–80K, and after further consideration, I believe that $80K would be the fair salary to ask for based on the requirements of the role, my level of experience, and the fact that I would need to relocate for this position.

What to do if they ask about your desired salary in an interview?

Jan 03, 2013 · You can attend anonymously and ask questions about your career, this article, or any other legal career-related topics. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom Harrison also does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for law firms, companies, and others who hire attorneys each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST.

How to answer ‘what are your salary expectations for a job?

You don’t get the salary you deserve; you get what you negotiate. Negotiation starts well before you get an offer and the most important step comes in the screening call . In this article I’ll tell you why the “desired salary” question is so important, how you should answer it, and what you need to do to maximize your earnings .

Should you put your desired salary on a job application?

The topic of compensation in a job interview process has always been a bit of a fearmonger for legal professionals. From negotiating an offer to timing the comp Ask, candidates in today’s market still feel anxious when it comes to the money. One frequent predicament that arises is how to handle the “What are your compensation expectations?” question. Whether raised by …

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How to negotiate a salary?

These tips can help you comfortably discuss your salary: 1 Stay confident. If you seem unsure, the hiring manager may see this as an opportunity to negotiate a much lower salary. Present a confident attitude that conveys the fact that you know what your work is worth. 2 Use a broad range. Providing a salary range with your targeted salary near the bottom gives both parties room for negotiation. 3 Counter with your own questions. If you're asked about your salary range in an interview, you can counter with questions of your own. You may state, "I don't usually discuss compensation until I have a job offer. Is that the case here?" You may also respond with a question about bonuses, commissions or other types of compensation. 4 Quote a worthy salary. If the prospective employer can't meet your desired salary, the job probably isn't a good fit for you. Stay with a range that you're comfortable with.

What are the factors that determine a salary?

Experience and education are two of the biggest determining factors when considering salary. If you're seeking an above-average salary, you should also have above-average skills and expertise. If you have a long history of working in a particular field, you can ask for a higher salary than if you're an entry-level employee.

Is my salary negotiable?

Indicate that your salary is negotiable when possible. Some online application forms include a checkbox that allows you to indicate whether your salary is negotiable. Check this if you're given the option. If not, you may be able to state that the salary is negotiable at the end of the application if there's a place for notes.

What to say when hiring manager asks about salary?

You may say, " I'd like to learn more about what this position entails before I discuss my desired salary. "

What is desired salary?

These are two topics that seem very similar but are significantly different. Your desired salary is only the cash your employer is paying you; this is before taxes and does not include non-cash compensation. Your desired compensation takes into account the total value of any financial benefits; this includes your base salary and non-cash compensation, such as benefits, vacation, stock-options, health insurance, stipend, 401k, etc. Typically, the value of non-cash compensation will range from 40-60% of the value of the cash compensation, but it can be significantly higher in some cases.

Is it illegal to ask about your salary history?

Questions about your salary vary from company to company. In some states and cities, it’s illegal for a company to ask about your salary history.

What is salary negotiation?

The entire salary negotiation process is all about collaboration with the hiring manager- from your first screening call through negotiations to a final offer. You don’t want to be at odds with a company, battling to eke out every cent. If you approach it this way, it’s unlikely a company will want to hire you.

What to Put for Desired Salary on Job Applications

The best way to answer desired salary or salary expectations on a job application is to leave the field blank or write ‘Negotiable’ rather than providing a number. If the application won’t accept non-numerical text, then enter “999,” or “000”.

Each Online Application Form is Different

I’ve had a few readers email in recently saying, “Biron, I can’t put what you said for desired salary because the form won’t let me.”

If They Ask for Desired Salary in a Second or Third Face-to-Face Interview

Maybe you’ve gone on a few interviews and they waited until now to ask about desired salary.

2 More Tips for Answering Desired Salary Questions

If pressed, or if you believe that you must provide a figure to proceed to the next stage in the hiring process, you can state a broad range rather than a specific desired salary.

The Goal: Save Salary Discussion Until You Know They Want To Offer You Their Job

Remember the main goal of everything we’ve covered above… whether you’re deciding what to put for desired salary on an application, or preparing to face the topic in your interview.

How to Answer Questions About Desired Salary – Quick Instructions

Delay providing a specific number until you’re sure they want to offer you the job

How many hours a week is full time?

Full-time employment is technically 36 or more hours a week, though in the vast majority of cases it’s 40 hours. Make sure that you know what the full-time schedule is, so you can calculate what your wage should be. A good rule of thumb is to count on working 2000 hours a year (50 weeks at 40 hours a week). This gives a little cushion of about 80 ...

Do manufacturing jobs pay hourly?

Many jobs in manufacturing, service, and industry pay their employees hourly. The advantage of this payment method – for both employer and employee – is that it compensates for the amount of work. Also, you get extra money if you’re working overtime, which you won’t get with a salary.

How to find out what your salary is?

With sites such as www.glassdoor.com, you can easily know the estimated salary for a particular position.#N#Below are the pointers to always keep in mind: 1 Enter a salary range if it’s possible; 2 Do not lie about your current or previous pay; 3 Always research the position and the average market salary across the board; 4 Know your worth.

What do you need to fill out for a job application?

Usually, they require you to fill in your details such as your name, physical address, email, and a phone number. The educational and professional background with a list of your skill set is also mandatory. Also, there is a field requesting for ‘Expected Salary’ or ‘Present Salary.’.

Do college students get underpaid?

Many students in colleges or universities have no idea on what to put for desired salary internship, and they may end up being underpaid in their places of work. It is essential for them to research and keep themselves updated in the current job market.

Is James a tutor?

Since the position he wants as a tutor is not full-time , he is also not sure what to put for minimum salary desired. It is a tricky situation for him.

What can Mary do?

What Mary can do is research comprehensively about the company in question and the roles of the position. Since she has no previous experience, she has no bargaining power. So, it is wise for her to write ‘negotiable’ or ‘company offer’ in the section requiring the indication of desired pay.

What is salary requirement?

A salary requirement is the amount of money a person needs to be paid in order to accept a job offer. Some companies ask for people to include their salary requirements either with the application or in the cover letter. Some interviewers may ask you in person, and it’s best not to let them catch you off guard.

How to justify a salary?

Start with a high number . Determine the highest reasonable salary you can justify and focus on that. As long as you state that your salary requirements are flexible and you can defend your request, there’s no risk of aiming high , and you’ll also show that you see yourself as a valuable employee.

Is salary important in a job?

Give one counteroffer and then make your decision. At the end of the day, salary is important in a job or career, but your happiness and long-term goals are just as important.

What is salary history?

Sometimes employers ask for your salary history instead of your salary requirements, and sometimes they ask for both. A salary history lists your past earnings and usually includes the companies you’ve worked for, your job titles, your salary, and your benefits package.

Do you have to include salary information in job application?

If the job listing or application doesn’t mention salary requirements, you don’t have to include any salary information at all. If you are asked to give your salary requirements, you could ignore them, but then you might not even get the job. No one likes people who don’t follow directions.

Is compensation important in an interview?

Remember that even though compensation is important, this is not the most important part of your application or your interview. You want the employer to be able to spend a lot of time reading or hearing about your strengths and qualifications.

What to do before talking about money?

Before you talk money, Brushfield recommends putting yourself in an employer's shoes. “If you wait until you have proved your value as a serious prospect, you're likely to get the best result,” he says. If you’re asked to propose a salary, don’t mention a specific figure.

What is the most important part of a remuneration package?

Salary is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of a remuneration package, but also consider alternative or additional workplace incentives you’d be open to accepting. “Perks, such as flexible work hours, additional leave and professional development opportunities are in demand by employees,” says Brushfield.

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