Desired Salary: Too High or Too Low?
By nekonyanta
@nekonyanta (892)
Philippines
March 31, 2009 9:41pm CST
Hi there. I've just recently signed up for an account on job street since I really plan on leaving my current job within the next couple of months. I've gone on one interview for a job that I applied for through the site and am currently waiting for feedback from the employer. However, I'm really anxious about having set my desired salary a little bit too high, so much so that, at the end of my interview, my interviewer asked me if such salary was negotiable. I said it was, if only because I'm really desperate to get a new job and get out of my current one.
How about you, fellow job-seekers? Would you set your desired salary a little bit low to attract employers or do you set it a little bit high and simply let your prospective employer negotiate? Which is more effective, in your opinion? Please do share your thoughts. 
5 responses
@maezee (41988)
• United States
1 Apr 09
I would put "open to discuss" rather than a specific number. That way, you can discuss with the potential employer before turning them off by having too high of an expectation (or before settling for less than you deserve). Just like on job applications, where people will ask how much you expect per hour - a lot of people put "open" as a way to say there should be discussion later on.
If you have to take a lower salary, I don't see the real problem with that. With the current economy, as I'm sure you can imagine, a job is a job, and with as many people as there are getting lay-offs and pay cuts, we should really just take what we can get instead of turning off an employer because of our overly-high expectations. Good luck with getting the job, though!
1 person likes this
@nekonyanta (892)
• Philippines
1 Apr 09
Hi. Thanks for the advice. It's actually my first time applying for a job since I got into my current job without passing through the usual application process. Anyway, I'd probably be settling for whatever salary they offer me, though.
Thanks for the response to my discussion.
Thanks for the response to my discussion. 
@Yori88 (1465)
• Philippines
2 Apr 09
I have tried being asked for a salary during an interview and I decided to set a high salary compared from my previous job. The reason by saying so is for me and the employer to just negotiate if in case the salary seems high. I guess it would be better to say something above average than to say low salary because you just want to be honest and humility may also be used by saying that you are not really aware of how much is the offer but you are just saying what you desire to as your compensation.
@oyenkai (4394)
• Philippines
2 Apr 09
I think I wouldn't set my desired salary too low - not unless I'm really desperate (in that case, I wouldn't leave the current job even if I'm not happy with it ---which isn't my case since I'm quite happy with where I am). I wouldn't want to end up worrying about money on my next employment just because I wanted to get away from the current one - that's like exchanging a worry for another worry!
Thanks for the response on my discussion!
1 person likes this
@irenebelle (116)
• Philippines
1 Apr 09
Mind u, started a low salary. but since desperate to have a job i accepted it. as years go by, i really enjoyed my job a lot. having collegues and a wonderful atmoshere at the office. been having an increase of salary after sometime... just dont set high standards. Be contented on having a smaller one upon having to be hired... then just complain if ever there is...remember we always have to be at the bottom to be able to reach the top... happy mylotting....
1 person likes this
@AnkanaGhai (60)
• India
1 Apr 09
Hi,
It depends on reason of changing job. If I were in your case, I will ask for a lower salary if I wanted to get rid of my previous employer anyhow. This may be the case when you are not satisfied with the current job. But if I am satisfied my the job, then surely I will ask 15-25% more to switch job.
