How To Communicate Your Expected Gross Salary?

You might find yourself in the middle of looking at job ads and identifying which ones call out to you. You read for more details in one ad and find that as part of the recruitment process, you have to indicate your expected gross salary for the job. 

A news report from Inquirer reported that the average salary in the Philippines is Php 15,200. Of course, it may go higher depending on the industry you are in or the demand for your skills or job. 

When writing your resume, it is common practice not to include your expected salary. However, some HR managers may require that you indicate your expected salary when you fill out the application form while some will ask during the interview. Some may even request for you to include it in your resume or cover letter. It is up to the recruiter when to ask, and usually this is requested for different reasons that may include:

• They want to know if your expected salary fits their budget;
• They want to quickly check your expected salary vis-à-vis your skill set;
• They want to have an idea if you will fit into their company culture.

For the last item, if they see that your expected salary is too high or above the average for the industry, they may get the impression that you are more focused on money and less on values.  

If you are asked to indicate your expected salary in your resume or job application, here are some things to keep in mind. 

Be honest when you are asked about your current salary

Some recruiters will ask you to include your current salary. While they will not call your present employer to verify your answer, you should be honest. Keep in mind that your current salary is the gross salary, exclusive of bonuses, incentives, and commissions. 

If you do have additional perks, you should say so but do not lump it in as a figure with your gross pay. For example, you can say that your current salary is Php 30,000 + bonus and commission. If you want to be specific in the amount you earn in commissions, use the average you earned in the last three to six months to be safe. 

Bear in mind that if you are earning a commission in your present job, you should not expect that your expected salary will be considerably higher because you are matching the expected salary plus commission. Remember, commissions vary from month to month and is upon the management's prerogative. Commissions may also be dependent on industry standards which may vary from one profession to another, such as real estate and automobiles.

Keep your expected salary within a realistic range

When writing the expected salary, make sure it is a figure that is acceptable to you should you receive a formal job offer. If you are unsure of the average salary in your role, try searching for jobs like yours and check the salary range for similar job listings.

If the expected salary was not in the job ad, you do not know what the budget is for the position you are applying for. Thus, there is no need to worry if your asking is too high or too low. 

But keep in mind that the general rule when moving to a higher position, the salary increase is typically within the 15 to 25% range. If you are looking at a similar position, this range is then limited to 10 to 20%. Job titles across companies may entail different roles or tasks. A manager for a consulting firm in one company may be working independently but a similar role in a rival firm may have him or her managing a small team of junior consultants. 

Also note that your expected salary is open for negotiation and flexible. That way, in the event that your salary is out of the HR manager's range, you can discuss non-monetary benefits a company can offer. 

However, take note that there are some exceptions. Some industries have more in-demand jobs or have a need to hire more talent so they offer more compensation. 

Do not put a specific figure

As mentioned above, be flexible. Instead of a specific amount, put a range. That way, if the HR manager is still in the process of shortlisting candidates and sees that you have a range for your expected salary, it gives the idea that you are open to a negotiation. 

Look at your skill set and set your expected salary against this

Ultimately, HR managers have various factors for considering a candidate based on the expected salary. These are:

• Skill set:  Are your hard and soft skills a match for the role? Do you have specific skills that are coveted in the industry? 
• Cultural fit: Based on your profile description, do your values jive with that of the company and its culture?
• Budget: Does your salary fit their budget or are you open to negotiations? 
• Potential: In relation to company fit, are you open to growth and will you be an asset to the company?

If you are asked about your expected salary, here is how to answer without closing any doors to further discussions. And do not forget to keep your resume updated just in case you start looking for work.

All set to find work? Update your JobStreet profile. You can customize your profile to include your skills and expected salary. Immediately available for employment?

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