I saw an ad recently for a position I could fit very well. They ask me to include a cover letter that includes how much I'm looking for for the position. I would probably have to move to be near this job because iit is in a higher salary area, too far to commute to. In my work, I travel from place to place and, although they say they have good benefits, I don't know if i would get a company car or mileage reimbursement. I don't want to price myself out of the job but I need a good increase to do it.
What should I say in my cover letter?
Answer: Thanks for asking for advice.
I hate cover letters.
I prefer cover emails that do the same thing as a cover letter but don't require the reader to open another file. Most of us who receiove resumes, open the resume first without regard to the cover letter and then read a cover letter to disqualify someone for "obvious stupidity" (bad grammar, not using a spellchecker, asking for something that the position will not afford them).
They are asking to get a sense of salary expectations to insure that someone that they interview is within their targeted compensation. After all, you don't want to interview someone earning or who was most recent earning $130000 for a $85000 job.
The simplest way to respond is to tell them how much you are currently earning and that it is in a lower cost area. That you use a company car (if that is the case) or mileage reimbursement to travel from site to site.
Tell them that the position seems like a good opportunity for you but that you would be moving closer to the office, rather than commuting 90 miles each way and that if they decide you are the right person for you, to make their strongest offer.
By doing this, they get an idea of your value and you aren't negotiating against yourself by stating a price too early without knowing more about the job.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2007 all rights reserved.
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter, is Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, He has successfully assisted many corporations identify management leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines since 1971. He is a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.
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