How to Put a Job Salary on a Cover Letter

Employers sometimes want applicants to disclose their salaries or what kind of salary they expect in a cover letter. Applicants do not want to instantly remove themselves from consideration by providing a figure that is too low or too high. Employers do not reveal their exact reasons for why they want the information and what their standards are for throwing out cover letters that do not meet those standards. You can address the request for salary information in your cover letter in a way that is general enough to get you an interview but that still answers the question.

Instructions

1. Write your answer in the last paragraph of your cover letter. Use the first paragraphs of the letter to persuade the employer that you have the skills and qualities to do the job well.

2. State something like, "My current salary is in the mid-30s, including benefits and commission." Give the employer a ballpark figure that includes all forms of your compensation. A general figure gives the employer an idea of what you are earning, and it may help prevent him from throwing out your cover letter because you earn slightly more than he is willing to offer.

3. Write that you expect a salary within a certain range if the job advertisement asks for what kind of salary you want to earn. Take into account the location, size of the employer, general industry condition, your education and your level of experience when you decide on the range.

4. Give the salary range you have earned in the past if you have to provide your salary history. Only go back 10 to 15 years in your work history.

5. Avoid demanding a specific salary in your cover letter. Write that you are open to negotiating the salary if you will take a lower salary than what you have earned in the past or that you will negotiate after an interview or job offer.

References

• CareeRealism.com; Addressing Salary Requirements in a Cover Letter; Jessica Holbrooke Hernandez; July 2010
• Quintessential Careers: A Free Sample Cover Letter in Response to Salary Requirement Request
• Salary.com; Salary.com's Negotiation Clinic; 2011
• Resume Magic: Cover Letters with a Salary Requirement or Salary History