American employees have wasted millions of hours applying to jobs with the wrong salary ranges. A study by Glassdoor found that nearly two-thirds of employees (64%) believe they are paid less than their peers at other companies, and more than one in four say they don’t know if they are being paid fairly.
The problem is compounded by the fact that most people have no idea what salaries are typical for their position, or even what salary range is appropriate for their experience level. As a result, many job seekers end up applying for positions that are out of their pay grade, or worse – accepting a job that pays far less than they could be making elsewhere.
This wastes valuable time and energy that could be spent more productively elsewhere. It also puts unnecessary stress on workers who already feel underpaid and unappreciated in their current positions.
There are a few ways you can try to avoid this trap. First, research salaries for your position and experience level before applying to any jobs. Use sites like Salary.com or Payscale.com to get an idea of what you should be earning. Second, don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary when you are offered a job – it’s not uncommon to get 10-15% more than the initial offer if you do it right. Finally, keep in mind that not all jobs are created equal – some may offer better benefits, flexible hours, or other perks that make them worth taking even if they don’t pay as much as others in your field.
Do your research
When you’re job hunting, it’s important to know how much salary to ask for. The best way to gauge what you should be paid is by researching the average salary for your position and region. There are a number of ways you can conduct this research.
One option is to use an online salary calculator, like the one offered by Payscale.com. To use this tool, you’ll need to input information about your job title, years of experience, education level, and location. Once you’ve entered all this data, the calculator will provide an estimated salary range for your position.
Another way to research salaries is by using government data sources. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics offers a wealth of information on salaries across different occupations and regions of the country. This data can be accessed on their website or through their mobile app.
Finally, you can also consult with professional organizations in your field to see if they have any Salary Surveys that might be helpful in determining an appropriate salary range for your position. Many times these surveys will break down salaries by experience level, so if you’re just starting out in your career, you can get an idea of what entry-level salaries look like in your field. Talking to people who are already working in your desired occupation can also give you some insight into typical salaries for that role.
Have open conversations with potential employers
The vast majority of people feel uncomfortable when talking about money, especially when it comes to salaries. It’s no wonder, then, that discussions about salaries are often one of the most anxiety-inducing parts of the job interview process.
There are a few different approaches you can take when discussing salary expectations with an employer during an interview. The key is to be prepared ahead of time so that you can confidently and effectively communicate your worth.
One approach is to avoid giving a specific number and instead provide a range. For example, if you’re asked what your salary requirements are, you could say something like “I’m looking for a salary in the $X-$Y range.” This gives you some flexibility and shows that you’re aware of the market value for your position.
Another option is to simply state your current or most recent salary. This can be a good strategy if you’re confident that your current pay is in line with what the market dictates for your role. Keep in mind, though, that employers may use this information as leverage to lowball you on their initial offer, so be sure to do your research ahead of time so you know what range is appropriate.
If possible, it’s always best to defer the discussion of salary until after an offer has been made. This puts you in a much stronger negotiating position and allows you to have a more detailed conversation about compensation once both sides have expressed interest in working together. However, if the employer pushes for a specific number during the interview process, don’t be afraid to stand your ground and reiterate that you’d prefer to wait until an offer has been made before discussing salary specifics.
Use jobs boards that
With so many options and places to look, it can be difficult to know where to start – or even where to look. Job boards are a great resource for job seekers, but with so many out there, it can be hard to know which ones are the best fit for your needs.
One important factor to consider when choosing a job board is whether or not it displays salary ranges alongside the listings. While some may feel that this takes away from the negotiating process, others believe that it’s helpful to have an idea of what you should be paid before applying for a position. Job guide is one of the job boards that always lists salary ranges for listed positions.
Regardless of where you stand on the issue, there are pros and cons to using job boards that show salary ranges.
PROS:
1. Helps You Set Expectations
When you’re looking for a new role, it’s important to have an idea of what you should be paid in order to set realistic expectations. If you’re only considering jobs that list their salary range upfront, you’ll have a better sense of whether or not the pay is in line with your experience and qualifications. This can save you time and energy by ensuring that you only apply for positions that fall within your desired salary range.
2. Increases Your Chances of Getting an Offer
If you’re transparent about your desired salary from the start, companies will be more likely to make you an offer that meets (or exceed) your expectations. In today’s competitive job market, employers are often looking for candidates who are willing to negotiate – so if you’re comfortable discussing your salary requirements early on, it could give you an edge over other candidates who aren’t as forthcoming about their financial needs.
How job boards can help
A job board is a type of online platform that allows employers to post open positions and job seekers to search for and apply for those openings. Many job boards also provide additional resources for both employers and job seekers, such as resume-writing tips or articles on job search strategies. Some popular job boards include Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn.
While each job board has its own unique features and target audience, they all share one common goal: to help people find employment. For employers, posting a job on a board is often much cheaper and more efficient than placing a print ad in the newspaper or sending out emails to everyone in their network. And for job seekers, being able to browse through hundreds (or even thousands) of open positions in one place can save a lot of time and effort compared to scouring the internet or going door-to-door.
In recent years, the popularity of online job boards has exploded. According to data from the Pew Research Center, nearly two-thirds of Americans (64%) now say they have used an online site or app to look for a job in the past year – up from just over half (51%) who said this in 2021. With so many people using these platforms to find work, it’s no surprise that there are now thousands of different options to choose from when looking for a new gig – whether you’re searching for your first real job after college or you’re an experienced professional looking for a career change.
Choosing the right employer
When it comes to finding the right employer, there are a few key things to keep in mind. The first is to make sure that the company you’re considering is a good fit for your skills and experience. The second is to research the company thoroughly before applying or interviewing. Finally, once you’ve landed an interview, be sure to ask tough questions and really get to know your potential future boss.
The first step in finding the right employer is ensuring that the company is a good match for your qualifications. Take a look at the job description and compare it to your own skills and experiences. If there’s a good fit, move on to step two. If not, keep looking until you find a company that’s searching for someone with your particular set of talents.
Once you’ve found a company that looks promising, it’s time for some serious research. Check out online reviews and see what current and former employees have to say about working there. Pay attention to any red flags that come up during your search. If anything makes you hesitate about working for the company, move on to another employer on your list.
Finally, when you’ve landed an interview with a potential employer, don’t be afraid to ask tough questions. This is your chance to really get to know the person who could be your future boss, so take advantage of it! Find out about their management style, expectations for employees, and anything else that might impact your decision to accept a job offer from them. Once you have all the information you need, weigh everything carefully before making your final decision about which employer is right for you.
