Salary history on a job application: Where and how?

May 15, 2008 1:38 PM

Salary history questions: the job listing requests resume, cover letter and salary history. What is the most elegant/least awkward way to list the history? Also, I've been a freelance consultant for several years, what is the best way for the self-employed to list a salary?

1) Where does it go? I can't figure out where it goes on the resume so that it won't look awkward or strange. Under the job title? Listed as a range under the dates? Speaking of range, for non-consulting positions, do I list the end salary only or the range from beginning to end?

2) I've been self-employed for several years. I'm sure I earn more than this position pays (though I don't know exactly what the position pays), but that's ok with me. In the end it will be equal since I will no longer be paying self-employed taxes and my own personal insurance plan. If I put down my actual salary, I don't want the employer to pass me up, assuming their salary is too low. On the other hand, if I adjust my salary, I don't want to low-ball myself. What is the best way to approach this situation.

3) Bonus question: I've worked for this employer before, about 10 years ago, in another city and state. The present position is at the HQ, and I'm sure they have records of what I made, but I can't remember. I remember what I started at, but not what I was making several years later (there were significant bonuses and cost of living increases). I could guess, but I'd probably be wrong and that won't match up with their records. What is the best way to go about listing that salary?

posted by birdlady to work & money (9 comments total)

(1): It's a seperate document. For each position, do something like this:

(Header matching resume header)

Current Job Title
Company
Address
Dates: (Starting Date) - (Ending Date)
Starting Salary: (Amount)
Ending Salary: (Amount)


Previous Job Title
Company
Address
Dates: (Starting Date) - (Ending Date)
Starting Salary: (Amount)
Ending Salary: (Amount)


Three Jobs Ago Job Title
Company
Address
Dates: (Starting Date) - (Ending Date)
Starting Salary: (Amount)
Ending Salary: (Amount)

Like your resume, list most recent to least recent positions.

(2): Can't help you, but I'm sure others come along who can answer this.

(3): Ten years back? Don't sweat it. I think you can do a salary history that only shows the previous ten years worth of work. Stop just short of listing those positions. Make a note at the bottom saying something like "Salary data older than ten years available upon request"
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 1:50 PM on May 15, 2008

Tell them you'll be happy to discuss your salary history and requirements in person, and that you're sure you can agree on an offer that will make you both happy. The only reason they want this much information is because it gives them a negotiating advantage over you.
posted by mbrubeck at 1:57 PM on May 15, 2008

Thanks, NotMyselfRightNow. I would have never guessed it to be a separate document. That makes MUCH more sense! I think I do have to list the previous position on the salary history. Otherwise, it would be a very short history since I've only worked for one other company between leaving that position and what I am doing now. Would it look odd if I don't list as many on the history as I did on my resume?

Mbrubeck, the listing says only applications with all three components will be considered. I'm afraid it will be too much of a risk to omit it.
posted by birdlady at 2:25 PM on May 15, 2008

1) Where does it go?

I put it in the last (or second to last, can't recall) paragraph of my cover letter. Basically, "In regards to your request for salary history, my compensation at ABC was $XYZ." I also had some line about being willing to negotiable (only for positions where I was afraid I would be passed up). I think this also solves question 2.


Tell them you'll be happy to discuss your salary history and requirements in person, and that you're sure you can agree on an offer that will make you both happy. The only reason they want this much information is because it gives them a negotiating advantage over you.

I disagree with this, but it also depends on where you live. Where I am, there are many qualified applications for each position and recruiters weed out based on whether or not you actually include what they ask for. I have worked places where candidates get tossed if their package is not complete. Because there may be 500+ other people that applied, I think the thought is "why would I waste my time on you if you don't/won't follow directions," etc. Plus no one wants to waste your time or theirs going all the way through an interview selection process if the expectations aren't going to match (or at least aren't even in the same ballpark as most people know there is wiggle room). If you live somewhere where qualified candidates are truly few and far between, maybe you could get away with it.
posted by ml98tu at 2:36 PM on May 15, 2008

Tell them you'll be happy to discuss your salary history and requirements in person, and that you're sure you can agree on an offer that will make you both happy. The only reason they want this much information is because it gives them a negotiating advantage over you.

Like ml98tu, I disagree. There's a difference between asking for salary requirements (which I try not to give too early) and asking for a salary history.

I think I do have to list the previous position on the salary history. Otherwise, it would be a very short history since I've only worked for one other company between leaving that position and what I am doing now. Would it look odd if I don't list as many on the history as I did on my resume?

In that case, I think you're right. A couple of options: (1) Can you get old tax returns? That will give you data you can probably extrapolate out to a salary level. (2) Call Human Resources, explain your situation, and ask if they have the data available to you. I imagine it's not an uncommon question, and they'll understand given that it was so long ago.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 3:27 PM on May 15, 2008

Also, I just looked at my own salary history note, and realize that a couple of the amounts are listed, followed by "(estimated)". That's always an option!
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 3:34 PM on May 15, 2008

I don't give salary history prior to the interview. If the numbers are lower than they are willing to pay you just took money off the table, if they are high you won't even get the interview. Either way you lose. If they are so anal that they don't want to talk to a highly qualified candidate who won't bend to their will before there is even a relationship you are better off without that job.
posted by COD at 6:11 PM on May 15, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

Have to agree with COD here.

One time in an interview I told them my salary and they offered me a position which was approx $10k more than I was currently on. I thought it was great and took the role only to find a year down the line that all my peers were all earning another $15k on top of that.

Had I kept my mouth shut, I would have been offered the standard rate for that role and not the minimum the company felt they could get away with.
posted by mr_silver at 3:35 AM on May 16, 2008

I agree with COD as well. I would simply omit any discussion of salary at all from the cover letter or the resume. In addition to all the points about strategy, there is the additional detail of it being absolutely none of their business.
posted by DarlingBri at 4:30 AM on May 16, 2008