How To Include Salary Requirements in Your Cover Letter

You should only include salary requests in your cover letter if the job description specifically requires it. It can seem extremely presumptuous to list your salary requirements for a job posting if you haven’t been asked about this information yet. If this information isn’t included in the job description, you shouldn’t talk about it. However, it is still a good idea to know what your ideal overall compensation package is, as well as consider what your salary request will be if your prospective employer asks.

How do you discuss your pay scale without making your salary range a deal breaker? Here are a few tips you can use to talk about your salary expectations:

• Always indicate negotiability. You should state a higher salary followed by a phrase like “Negotiable considering additional benefits.”
• State that benefits and compensation packages may make your salary requirements more flexible. This indicates that depending on the benefits, you may be willing to take a lower salary.
• Remind the hiring manager that they made the request. Phrases like, “As per your request” or “As you requested in the job posting,” ensures that your potential employer doesn’t think you’re being rude.
• Add the salary requirements at the end, right before your closing statement. You should put forward all the reasons you’re more qualified than other job seekers, then include the salary that meets your qualifications, skill level and years of work experience.

These tips can make it easier for you to talk about your salary requirements. Additionally, using the CVHelp cover letter builder can also help. You can find cover letter examples and sample cover letters that will best present your information.

Understanding the best salary you can get is complicated. The job market is a complex beast, and if you ask for too much, you run the risk of your job search ending before it can even begin.

First of all, understand your own certifications. The more work experience and education you have, the more you can request as part of your salary. An entry-level job offer in a field requiring no training or experience will have a lower salary history than an entry-level job that requires a bachelor’s degree, for example. If you have experience and education in addition to your skill set, you will be able to request more.

From there, do your research. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has an entire page giving you information on the average salary in over 800 different jobs, including in different geographic locations. You can also look at any information the company itself has posted regarding salary and benefits. Internet searching terms like “[Job] salary” can also help you find numbers.

When you do come up with a number, aim for the high end of the spectrum. By aiming high and indicating flexibility, there are two options: the company accepts your offer, giving you the higher pay you were requesting, or the company offers a counter-offer, which will be higher than if your initial request had been right in the middle. Understanding this hiring process is important for negotiating effectively. You should also have the lowest salary in mind, which should be a number that you absolutely can’t go lower than.