Profile for stubby43 - current salary vs salary sought

stubby43 aka Phil is a 25.42 year old boy, has been a member since December 22, 2006, has scored 3,809 submissions, giving an average score of 2.65, helping 191 designs get printed.

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Feb 07 '12 by stubby43
19 Comments
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current salary vs salary sought

I'm apply for a job and its asking for my current salary then asking for the salary I'm seaking.

I'm really not sure what to put because on my current salary I'm living but I'm nowhere near close to paying off my debt, my basic wage is about £7000 a year, £600 a month, if I get over time I earn about £800 a month or £9600 but I'm spending between £700 and £800 meaning I'm not really saving anything.

I did a bit of googling and the average entry level wage is £15,500 (I'm applying to the bbc so theres no reason to believe they wouldnt pay that), I dont want to make myself too expensive and I'm worried that by asking for that they wont consider me.

But I'm also really worried about my current wage, I'm worried that if I put my actual wage they'll look at it and say this guy doesnt need that much money if I put the £15,500 down as the wage I expect to earn.

Should I inflate (but keep realistic) my current earnings?

xiv on Feb 07 '12 at 5:09pm

The answer they really want you to put is very little. You put down anything other then that, and it gives them one more reason why they shouldn't hire you.

I hate when your asked to disclose that info... I never know what to put either. I feel that i've lost job opportunities because i may have put down a little too much money, even though i'd accept less.

SuperRyan on Feb 07 '12 at 5:11pm

I'm going to type this even though I'm not well-versed on employment etiquette:

I wouldn't lie about my earnings or information. I think trying to edit things like that would be dishonest. Leaving someone off or unsaid is another matter, but if it is required, just tell the truth.

I would imagine the BBC would respect you and would offer you the standard salary for the position. Perhaps look up typical salaries for the specific position, or just ask what the normal/standard amount typically is.

stubby43 on Feb 07 '12 at 5:14pm

Yeah, I'm almost certain I lost out on a job because I was completely unrealistic about how much it costs to live in london, I thought a room was going to cost £800 a month, then I'd have living and travel on top of that so i asked for something stupid like £20,000 for an entry level position.

I know what my costs are, I'd just like to be in a position to save money and I cant on my current wage, I'm worried their going to look at what I currently earn and what I'm asking for and think I'm asking too much.

Wharton on Feb 07 '12 at 5:17pm

I think the BBC is a well established institution and they are willing to pay well for talented people. I think as long as you can justify the jump in pay then there isn't a problem. I wouldn't undersell yourself but neither would I go all out.

What type of position are you applying for and where? What do you do at the moment and is it relevant to the position you're applying for?

stubby43 on Feb 07 '12 at 5:18pm

Yeah I guess thats the other thing to consider, the bbc has a set budget, they dont have to worry about profits, they do have to worry about keeping spending under control but there also a massive corporation.

Wharton on Feb 07 '12 at 5:20pm

Sorry I didn't see the previous two comments.

£19,000 - £21,000 is about entry level for a lot of jobs in London. You have to factor in the things like you mentioned rent is much higher as is travel and just about everything else. Most London jobs have 'London weighting' which makes up for the higher living costs.

stubby43 on Feb 07 '12 at 5:22pm

I work at harrods in the book department so theres no relation to the job at all, but I'm applying for a talent pool that leads onto paid internships then a job so there not expecting us to be world leaders in our fields but they want us to have some experience (which I do) a passion for the work and I guess ability.

I've gotten a couple of placements and been on some really well respected training schemes and when it comes to relevant topics I know my stuff, hell I'm probably more up to date than a lot of people.

Bramish on Feb 07 '12 at 5:23pm

If 15 grand is average for that position, put that

stubby43 on Feb 07 '12 at 5:26pm

Do you think asking for £14,000 is reasonable? I mean the website said £15,500 is average for a runner article

On that wage given my current spending I could put £200 a month a way.

Bramish on Feb 07 '12 at 5:27pm

14k sounds fair

stubby43 on Feb 07 '12 at 5:29pm

I put £15000 as expected and £7000 as current.

Still a bit worried about the massive gap, I mean I'm asking for more than double my current pay but then I would be working substantially more hours than I do now, I wish they'd either not ask or give me the option to tell them how many hours I work.

Wharton on Feb 07 '12 at 5:29pm

If £15,500 is the average then thats entirely reasonable. Go for it!

Bramish on Feb 07 '12 at 5:33pm

Don't worry about the gap - the jobs aren't related in the slightest - I think that question is only relevant if you're moving between two similar positions.

Out of interest, I assume you're only working part-time at the mo? Cos if not, they're screwing you over with that lousy salary.

Bramish on Feb 07 '12 at 5:34pm

Also, if you're that worried, you can just put (P/T) in brackets next to the currrent salary, although don't you need to detail your current and past employment on the application anyway?

stubby43 on Feb 07 '12 at 5:37pm

Yeah, I'm working 22.5 hours a week, so I'm looking for a new job. I technically work for whsmith who do screw people over, if I move over to harrods I could be doing a lot better.

stubby43 on Feb 07 '12 at 5:38pm

cheers for the help guys.

Putting the p/t is a good idea but it wont let me put anything in but numbers.

I'm probably just over thinking this rather than actually getting on with it and filling out the application.

Wharton on Feb 08 '12 at 4:39am

Also if this is an entry level position they don't really expect you to be a high flyer with a fantastic CV full of relevant experience, this type of thing is mainly down to the interview.

Like Bramish said, the two positions are unrelated and I think just by seeing your annual wage they will figure out its only a part time position.

Good luck!

Tonteau on Feb 08 '12 at 5:08am

^what bram said.

agrimony on Feb 08 '12 at 5:37am

well hopefully they call u down for the interview and u get to clarify with them there

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