job asking for salary expectation

[Anonymous]

Federal contractor--how on earth do I know what to tell them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Federal contractor--how on earth do I know what to tell them?

This is OP again, I guess I should add more detail--when I see job postings from contractors they will state a range, but for this job, I was reached out to directly by a recruiter who had seen my resume on a job board, so I have no idea what to suggest.

[Anonymous]

Give a range of what you want. Like, I’m interviewing for positions in the range of 175-200k or whatever you’re looking for.

[Anonymous]

You suggest slightly higher than you are willing to take. It's not legal to ask what you currently make, so places ask your expectation. If the job is publicly posted they often include a range. Put a number within that range if you want the job.

[Anonymous]

Both parties have an interest in making sure that they are aligned on salary. Is there a bonus, stock, or base salary or just base? Have a number for sure, but you can always ask (depending on the type of comp structure) if they are taking for all in or just base. If it’s clear they are asking about base (no complicated comp structure) you can throw it back and say “what have you budgeted” or “what are you thinking?” And react to that. If you have to say a number and you’re not sure what you should be going for look for job postings for similar roles where ranges are provided and use that as a jumping off point.

[Anonymous]

I like to just say it is negotiable and it will vary based on the quality of work, scope, and overall job package. If the recruiter balks, then ask them to give a range.

[Anonymous]

Aside: mid-size and larger california companies have to post a range these days. They post *very* broad salary ranges and often also say salary varies by work location (or they say the high end is intended for people in SFBA or NYC or some such).

I still think that law helps everyone though. I might have applied for some interesting jobs locally -- except that I saw the salary range would be below what I could abide. Such an application would have wasted both HR/recruiter time and my time.

I wish Virginia had such a law -- exempting small companies of course.

[Anonymous]

Give them a range and don't lie about your compensation. Most big contractors will run a background check and as for proof of salary before they hire you. Normal practice with companies like SAIC, Raytheon, etc.

[Anonymous]

Most places have a range. Usually it is something like 70-130% of the budgeted money for a position. That means the middle of the bracket is 100% of the funds. I think it is fair to just state that mid to the upper half of the bracketed salary listed is appropriate and also state that it is negotiable. Leave it at that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You suggest slightly higher than you are willing to take. It's not legal to ask what you currently make, so places ask your expectation. If the job is publicly posted they often include a range. Put a number within that range if you want the job.

Really? I'm a fed and this comes up all the time in fed hiring. Our HR will even match what you currently make. I didn't realize it's illegal in the private sector world. Our salaries are open books, but we also can see private salaries too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Give them a range and don't lie about your compensation. Most big contractors will run a background check and as for proof of salary before they hire you. Normal practice with companies like SAIC, Raytheon, etc.

The background check won’t corroborate your salary. I agree, don’t lie. But the background check is there to make sure you have the degrees, the experience, and no criminal background. They’re not going to send the information on your paycheck stub to the person putting together your offer.

But definitely don’t lie about your degrees, experience, or criminal record.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The background check won’t corroborate your salary. I agree, don’t lie. But the background check is there to make sure you have the degrees, the experience, and no criminal background. They’re not going to send the information on your paycheck stub to the person putting together your offer.

But definitely don’t lie about your degrees, experience, or criminal record.

Actually.... I don't know how much it is ordered by hiring companies, but Equifax does keep a record of historical comp and even divides it into base pay, commission, bonuses etc. They get the info from sources such as ADP. Mine shows Amex requested it twice in 2024.

You can download it for free to review your personal data, it's called The Work Number Employment Data Report.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The background check won’t corroborate your salary. I agree, don’t lie. But the background check is there to make sure you have the degrees, the experience, and no criminal background. They’re not going to send the information on your paycheck stub to the person putting together your offer.

But definitely don’t lie about your degrees, experience, or criminal record.

Actually.... I don't know how much it is ordered by hiring companies, but Equifax does keep a record of historical comp and even divides it into base pay, commission, bonuses etc. They get the info from sources such as ADP. Mine shows Amex requested it twice in 2024.

You can download it for free to review your personal data, it's called The Work Number Employment Data Report.

[/quote

which is why I blocked TWN

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give them a range and don't lie about your compensation. Most big contractors will run a background check and as for proof of salary before they hire you. Normal practice with companies like SAIC, Raytheon, etc.

The background check won’t corroborate your salary. I agree, don’t lie. But the background check is there to make sure you have the degrees, the experience, and no criminal background. They’re not going to send the information on your paycheck stub to the person putting together your offer.

But definitely don’t lie about your degrees, experience, or criminal record.

This OP...I never said I was going to lie about anything.