It's been a long time since I've applied for a new job so I'm a bit rusty on some things. I've come across a job opening on a local company's website and want to apply. I can apply and submit a resume online but one of the questions asks for salary history. I've always hated this question, even though I understand why companies ask for it. If someone is used to making $100,000 and the job only pays $20,000 why waste peoples' time or if you make less than the job pays you could sell yourself short. That's my problem, I don't know what this new job will pay but I imagine it will be $15-20,000/yr less than my prior salary (but it does have much better benefits). Quite frankly any job I find will probably be that much less as I do believe I was somewhat overpaid in my previous job, that's probably one of the reasons the company went out of business. Plus I'm not looking for a job with as much responsibility as my previous one.
I'm really not sure how to answer the question. Could I simply say "Salary negotiable" or something like that. If I say I was making x amount at my previous job, they'll most likely toss the application thinking I'll want too much. I don't think there's enough room in the application's salary history box to explain that when I started I was making y amount (doing about 95% of what this job description says) and through several raises and a promotion I was making x amount when I left the company.
Btw, my previous job was my first "real" job and I was there almost 10 years.

Any advice would help.

I avoid letting them know anything about my previous wages. I'll put "negotiable." When in a phone or live interview, when they ask what I would want for compensation then I'll ask what their typical range is for that job. Then I'll base my answer off of their range.

Could you explain it in a cover letter?

I avoid letting them know anything about my previous wages. I'll put "negotiable." When in a phone or live interview, when they ask what I would want for compensation then I'll ask what their typical range is for that job. Then I'll base my answer off of their range.
That's where I was leaning, but I'm a little afraid that saying "negotiable" would throw up a red flag also. Also, I've been trying to get on at this company for a while so I'd be willing to sell myself a little cheap just to get my foot in the door.
I guess any job application is a gamble so there's not much to lose either way.
Could you explain it in a cover letter?
Maybe, they do ask for one. I hate writing those, but that's what I'm working on now.

That HAS to be the worst question that can be asked of someone who doesn't know what the company is thinking the job should pay.

Ask too low, screw yourself. Ask too high, screw yourself.

I would check what the job pays in your area...try to guess from there. Your best bet would be to get someone on the phone or in person to talk. Two minutes can get past all of that.

That HAS to be the worst question that can be asked of someone who doesn't know what the company is thinking the job should pay.

Ask too low, screw yourself. Ask too high, screw yourself.

I would check what the job pays in your area...try to guess from there. Your best bet would be to get someone on the phone or in person to talk. Two minutes can get past all of that.
Exactly. Plus to me "salary history" is not that important. It's really none of the new employers business what I made in the past and isn't a true indicator of what I'm willing to do the new job for. I do have an idea what the job should pay, hence why I know it will be less than I was making.
The place is about 10 minutes away so it might not be a bad idea to hand deliver a copy of my resume, maybe even add some bonus points for initiative.

I get annoyed when I look at job postings and they don't list a salary range for the position (seems like most don't). Before I take the time to apply for a job I'd like to know if it'd be worth my while. I wouldn't bother applying for a job to make 10k less a year unless I were to really hate where I currently am. Then again the business has the upper hand atm in terms of hiring so I guess they can do whatever they want as most positions probably have a number of candidates...

Can you operate a mop wringer?

Try http://www.glassdoor.com Search for the company and position your applying for. People will anonymously post their salary for different positions where they work. Should be able to get a decent range from there.

You can also try http://www.salary.com, it's not company specific, but it is location specific and will give you a salary range for your position.

I avoid letting them know anything about my previous wages. I'll put "negotiable." When in a phone or live interview, when they ask what I would want for compensation then I'll ask what their typical range is for that job. Then I'll base my answer off of their range.

I personally think that letting the company decide might screw you in the end. I think it's better to do some research on the position on your own and get an idea of what is a reasonable amount, then stick to the higher end of that range. I did this for the last job I applied to (eventually turned down the offer though) and was able to nail higher salary than some of my other friends at school who applied to the same position.

They normally have a salary range for your job grade. I will put your prior salary there, so they won't low ball you.

Try http://www.glassdoor.com Search for the company and position your applying for. People will anonymously post their salary for different positions where they work. Should be able to get a decent range from there.

You can also try http://www.salary.com, it's not company specific, but it is location specific and will give you a salary range for your position.
Nothing really came up on the glassdoor link, but on salary.com the average rate is just slightly above the rate I had in mind (about 50cent/hr difference), so it sounds like I'm in the ballpark. But, yes, that will be a lot less than my previous salary. I'm not really worried about what they will offer, I just don't want them to see my previous salary and automatically toss out the application thinking I'll want too much money without even considering me. Plus the new job has less duties and responsibilities than my previous one so they may even think I'm overqualified based on that.

I'm putting the finishing touches on my cover letter now and will send the application in a bit. I think I'll just go with saying "negotiable" for salary history and I tried to write up the cover letter and resume to highlight the requirements they are looking for but also mention that I have experience above and beyond that may be beneficial to them.

If I don't get the job, it's not the end of the world, so I'm not going to get too stressed about it.

Can you operate a mop wringer?
:shake: Now that may be a real problem. :lol:

I personally think that letting the company decide might screw you in the end. I think it's better to do some research on the position on your own and get an idea of what is a reasonable amount, then stick to the higher end of that range. I did this for the last job I applied to (eventually turned down the offer though) and was able to nail higher salary than some of my other friends at school who applied to the same position.

I'm assuming people already know the range, but also knowing what they are asking and asking either the high end or a bit more. I think putting the ball in their court first lets you know their "range" and you can decide what to do after that. It is a delicate dance, especially in a shitty economy.

Most of these applications have "present salary" as an optional field. I never fill in that information unless absolutely necessary.