What to give for salary expectation?

[Stanley Rockafeller]

I'm in the process of looking for a new job, and after living in downtown Vancouver for 6 months, I'm still unable to find an employer who will hire me.

I have a bachelor's degree and several years of work after my degree. I've had a few interviews, but never been able to land a job yet.

Considering my credit rating is good (i've heard some employers use this to evaluate a candidate over the use of references for obvious reasons), I also present very well (or so I've been told by members of the opposte sex ) and I'm very professional.

Just not sure why I'm not getting any jobs!!?!?!?! i think it may be I'm asking too little (might be showing as a lack of confidence?) not sure really.

How should I evaluate my worth to an employer?

My stats:
-Undergrad degree in 04
-Currently working on CGA accounting designation
-30 years of age
-10 years of accounting clerk type roles, all varying (full cycle and AR specific roles)
-I've also given examples of my ability to be self-motivated to do different work tasks

I've been asking 43ish which I can easily live off of, but maybe I'm asking too little...I dont' want to scare off a potential employer by asking too much, but obviously too little doesnt' work well either.

Any ideas?

thanks in advance

 

[expat]

I NEVER gave any expectation of salary (I would leave that blank, or state 'Negotiable') Job fulfillment depends on so many things, I would not want to appear 'salary (alone) motivated'.
If they are just looking for the Lowest Bidder, would you want to work there? Would they want you?

 

[mva]

Originally Posted By: expat
I NEVER gave any expectation of salary (I would leave that blank, or state 'Negotiable')


+1

Keep your head up and keep trying - you will eventually get a job.

You should examine how you are job hunting. I am not an expert by any means but I am frequently involved in hiring:

No grammar or spelling mistakes in your cover letter and resume.

Let everyone you know or have met that you are looking for work.

Honesty works well in interviews but try to avoid anything negative. Don't criticize previous employers or previous supervisors. Don't get into stories of conflicts with coworkers.

 

[Stanley Rockafeller]

Originally Posted By: mva
Honesty works well in interviews but try to avoid anything negative. Don't criticize previous employers or previous supervisors. Don't get into stories of conflicts with coworkers.


Hahaha, sorry I find this funny as I'm usually given the nickname "Flanders" even by strangers LOL

 

[T-Bone]

Stanley:
Definitely leave the salary expectation field blank. I don't know if Canadian custom is exactly the same as US. However, I've hired about a dozen people in a technical organization and the "compensation history" or "expected salary" has never really affected the decision. After we choose the person we'll talk to him extensively to work out compensation. Good luck!
-Steve

 

[Liquid_Turbo]

You live in DT vancouver and only need a salary of 43,000$ a year?? Lets say you got a job and did make that much. Would you even be able to save any money at all after living expenses?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Yeah, that sounds kind of low.

There are websites that list salary ranges by position/experience/location... have you looked there to see what you're worth?

And I agree, to put anything on an application. Eventually, the subject of money will come up, but it should come up much later in the process, after you've proven that you're the right person for the job from a background/experience stand point. And even then, you can try to avoid a direct answer by saying that you expect to be compensated at the level appropriate for such a position with so much experience in this part of the country... blah.. blah.. blah... and see if they throw a number at you. And if they do, then regardless what they say, make a sad face and told them you were expecting a little more.

And if they still force you to say the number first, then give them a number from the top of the range that you identified by looking at salary websites, knowing well that they'll want to negotiate it down.

Asking for too little is just as bad as asking too much. It shows the potential employer that you don't know how much you're worth and it makes them question your skills/experience as well.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
And I agree, to put anything on an application.

I meant "don't put anything on an application"

 

[CivicFan]

Salary is something that is best left until the last step of the employment process. Until then, as advised before, leave the field blank or write "negotiable". That way you show that you are a professional.

At any given profession, there are standard compensation levels. If you are not sure what your skills are worth, do some research.

However, the best way to find the kind of employment you are looking for, contact a few recruiters. They will help you to present your resume in a professional way, will coach you about the interview and will make the industry expectations clear. One added bonus is that when a company is going through a recruiter, it means that they are serious about hiring. Quite a lot of times the job applications are posted to comply with internal policies while they have no intention of hiring anyone from the outside.

 

[mva]

Originally Posted By: Stanley Rockafeller
Originally Posted By: mva
Honesty works well in interviews but try to avoid anything negative. Don't criticize previous employers or previous supervisors. Don't get into stories of conflicts with coworkers.


Hahaha, sorry I find this funny as I'm usually given the nickname "Flanders" even by strangers LOL


Took me a minute - Ned Flanders should be very hireable:

 

[opus1]

On an application I write "open".

During an interview, I've answered the question with something along the lines of "you come across as as resonable person and I'm sure that whatever you offer will be fair for the position".

Hasn't failed me yet.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: opus1

During an interview, I've answered the question with something along the lines of "you come across as as resonable person and I'm sure that whatever you offer will be fair for the position".



No kidding?!?! Whew.. I can feel the stink-eye and awkward silence following that response.

In my line of work anyway!

Joel

 

[PandaBear]

Usually, companies have policies that pay around the middle 50% of the average salary. If your asking salary is within that range and they refuse you, it is either because of other reason (found a better matching candidate, internal transfer, you are not a good fit for the position, etc) or they found someone that is extremely cheap that you cannot compete with (i.e. illegal immigrant or foreign visa holder for low salary to apply for immigration).

Also depends on where you see the hiring ads, some off beat newspapers are all about satisfying the legal requirement to post a position that they want to hire foreigners for immigration and not really interested in hiring locals.

Good luck, I went through the same thing in 2002 and I know how it feel

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: CivicFan
Salary is something that is best left until the last step of the employment process. Until then, as advised before, leave the field blank or write "negotiable".


This, I agree with. I've always left salary negotiations (base, bonus, time off, etc...) until I have a firm job offer.

Sometimes I've asked for more money and been told their offer was firm; sometimes they've tried to foist the 'this position pays X per annum, are you OK with this figure' on me during the first interview.

In the former case I accepted one offer at a company like that but have turned down several others; in the latter case I simply told the interviewer, 'I want to make sure we're a mutual good fit first because in the long run that's far more important - let's discuss salary once we're at that point.'

Originally Posted By: CivicFan
However, the best way to find the kind of employment you are looking for, contact a few recruiters.


This, I cannot agree with. I've never had a helpful recruiter - maybe I've only dealt with bad ones?

In 10 years of professional employment they've never landed me a job remotely as good as I've been able to get myself thru Monster / CareerBuilder / etc... and frequently sent me interviewing for positions I was obviously under- or over-qualified to do.

One recruiter in particular wanted to spend hours on the phone coaching me on how to interview and didn't take kindly to my gentle suggestion that I was practiced in this song & dance already. And that I knew to wear a clean suit with a tie. And to bring a copy of my resume and a pen with me. And to read up on the company before my interview, etc...

Turns out the company was obviously a terrible fit for me and in the end I'm glad it didn't work out. This same recruiter still sends me job leads despite my repeated emails that I've moved 1100 km away, gainfully employed in a completely different industry & not seeking other employment.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
or foreign visa holder for low salary to apply for immigration

Part of the process of hiring someone on a work visa is having to prove to the government that you're paying him a prevailing wage, exactly to avoid the type of scenario that you described.

Although, employers (and their immigration attorneys) often play around with job titles and job descriptions when submitting visa petitions to USCIS in an effort to not have to pay too much.

 

[Mr Nice]

Quote:
One recruiter in particular wanted to spend hours on the phone coaching me on how to interview and didn't take kindly to my gentle suggestion that I was practiced in this song & dance already.

How much were you paying this recruiter to look for a position for you ?

To the OP, I think with soooooo many people out of work..... $43,000 maybe be asking too much for that position since many will do the same job for less. There are many unemployed folks with college degrees that are getting desperate and they are willing to work for peanuts just to have some form of income. Talking about people working for peanuts, read this and you will see just how bad it is for lawyers looking for work.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/business/09law.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Quote:
One recruiter in particular wanted to spend hours on the phone coaching me on how to interview and didn't take kindly to my gentle suggestion that I was practiced in this song & dance already.

How much were you paying this recruiter to look for a position for you ?

To the OP, I think with soooooo many people out of work..... $43,000 maybe be asking too much for that position since many will do the same job for less. There are many unemployed folks with college degrees that are getting desperate and they are willing to work for peanuts just to have some form of income. Talking about people working for peanuts, read this and you will see just how bad it is for lawyers looking for work.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/business/09law.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1








BUT we are talking about DT Vancouver!

 

[opus1]

Originally Posted By: JTK
Originally Posted By: opus1

During an interview, I've answered the question with something along the lines of "you come across as as resonable person and I'm sure that whatever you offer will be fair for the position".



No kidding?!?! Whew.. I can feel the stink-eye and awkward silence following that response.

In my line of work anyway!

Joel
Why should the interviewer have all the fun? I love tossing a question at them or answer one of their questions to make them squirm if I can.

And a big +1 on the uselessness of headhunters. All but one of he jobs I've had I found myself or through friends, and the one I had "help" with is one where I they weren't much help, just lots of pressure to take the job because their commission was on the line. I even had one headhunter ask ME where I thought there were openings so he could "open the door" for me. They make used car salesmen almost respectable.....

 

[65cuda]

I've always put "open" in the blank for salary. You need to know what the salary range for what you are applying for is so that you know if what they offer is low or not, or what you should say if they ask you for a number.

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
How much were you paying this recruiter to look for a position for you ?


This recruiter contacted me regarding a position, not the other way 'round. I've never paid a recruiter anything nor sought one out; it's their job to scout talent.