{ 11 comments… read them below }

  1. Rachel - former HR blogger*

    I'd love it if people did that! It would save waiting until they fill out the app to find out.

    We have to discuss salary upfront so there's no confusion about the fact that we're a poor non-profit. Even though the salary is listed in each job posting, 60% of applicants still want well above what we can offer. Knowing what they're currently making is an easy way to screen.

  2. Ask a Manager*

    Yeah, from the employer's side, there's no question that the information can be interesting/useful. But from the applicant side, it's giving away negotiating power (and also comes across as a bit naive).

    But I totally hear you on the nonprofit salary thing — very much so, from personal experience! I'd say the way around that is, ideally, to list the salary range you intend to pay in the job position so that applicants know up front what to expect.

  3. Eric*

    It's the first thing anybody in a phone interview asks. Should we close the door and not reveal our salary?

    I get, "oh that's at the top end of our budget" a lot. How much of that is BS? For-profit companies. No, my salary info is not on my resume.

  5. TheLabRat*

    I've seen a lot of jobs asking for this lately. I mean they weren't just asking for salary history but asked specifically for it to be included on a resume. Due to the nature of the jobs themselves, I've been speculating that they are trying to see if applicants can come up with creative MS Word formatting.

    I wonder if that's why you're getting resumes like that; perhaps people are sending out the special one they made for the weird places by mistake.

  6. Anonymous*

    Maybe the people who are putting their salary on their resume are applying to so many blind ads that want a salary history up front and are tired of getting weeded out from the only people who are advertising. Maybe their network sucks.

    I don't put my salary on my resume of course, but I can't tell you how many job ads I've seen that I decide not to apply to because they ask for salary history.

  7. FrauTech*

    I don't know if you've filled out a job application lately, but applying for online jobs now I'm continually asked what my wage was at each of my previous positions. No it's not on my resume, but most of these companies force you to use their entry system and make it a required component of applying. So if one of these poor frustrated souls left it on their resume I can't blame them, especially from the companies that say "salary history required" in their job openings. I mean, with hundreds of applicants for each job we would still like to be considered in this economy, we'll jump through all the hoops employers want us to.

  8. unemployed teacher*

    So what would I be suggested to fill into those blanks? (I am talking about online applications here, which prevent applicants from applying unless they fill in a salary history.) I have worked as a freelancer for the past five years, which each job priced individually. My yearly salary varied widely and not always in the same direction. Now my job has been legislated away, forcing me to apply for a salaried position I am also qualified for.

  9. Jamie*

    This was absolutely the worst part of the process for me – because I hate salary negotiation.

    I hate it because I'm terrible at it – so at least I'm self-aware.

    In an ideal world the company would let you know the range for the position, and then making you an offer within that range based on what you bring to the table.

    Then you can either accept or not based on your own criteria. Most job hunters have their own realistic ranges – many would accept less for a job if it had a great commute, or perks…whatever.

    But I think the company should state the range for the position first. This way it's on the table and the candidate can determine if it's in the ballpark, if not then no one is wasting time.

    Personally I would interview for a job if it were within 10,000 of my lower acceptable figure as that's within the realm of possibility for negotiation. Anything lower than that I would know it's not the right level job and move on.

    The reason they want salary from applicants is to take advantage of those who were underpaid at their last job – and while I'm all for trimming every bottom line there's something just not right about that.

    If you pay market value from the start you don't have to worry about one of your hires being so awesome you need to rectify this later…that's hard to do gracefully.

  11. Anonymous*

    I think people do this because there are a lot of job listings demanding a salary range or you won't be considered.

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