Another job hunting question

So some of the online applications I have been doing, have an annual salary requirement on them? What should I put? The average starting salary for a mechanical engineer? A bit less or what?

Would you take the offer if they gave you the amount you put, or slightly less?

I graduated 2 years ago and put the amount that I'd take. If they offered slightly less, I would consider it, if it was considerably less, then it made me question whether or not that is the type of place I want to work.

PS, are you willing to relocate/what sort of ME career path are you looking for? We have quite a few openings up here in CT....

Whenever I filled out job applications in the past, I just wrote "salary history will be provided on request" or words to that effect. I've never done one online, though, so I don't know if they require an actual number or not.

In reply to Brotus7:

I am thinking putting under the average a bit since Huntsville has a cheaper cost of living.

And as far as relocating, I would prefer to stay in Huntsville for a couple years but if I have to move, I would want to stay done here in the Southeast.

In reply to stuart in mn:

They do require a number.

I'd put whatever is appropriate compensation for the job. Reference the Occupational Outlook Handbook to get an idea of what's appropriate.

I have hired in the past and my job is in the corporate world. Typically as the hiring manager I have a range where I can start the new persons pay. In the interviewing process I quickly bring up this topic myself as the manager. What I want to be sure is that the applicant is not needing a $80k opportunity when I am providing only a $50k opportunity.

I am in a similar position with applying, if I have to put a number on it as an entry level ME, I put 49,000 if its surburban, but I am also applying to jobs in Philly and DC, there since the cost of living is higher, I look at 54k as my required salary. With the magic number being 52k.

Just a tip- there's a "boatyard" in Groton Ct. that's always looking for some m.e. Especially ones that are fresh out of school. They'll work you to death, but they are a good resume builder.

flountown wrote: I am in a similar position with applying, if I have to put a number on it as an entry level ME, I put 49,000 if its surburban, but I am also applying to jobs in Philly and DC, there since the cost of living is higher, I look at 54k as my required salary. With the magic number being 52k.

On a much more specific note to your situation, dont forget to take Philadelphia city wage tax into account. 54 ends up being more like 49 after that chunk.

This is one of my pet peeves. Asking for salary requirements on the application is just another screening tool. If the number is too little and they will think there is something wrong with you, too high and you get bounced out. Ask for the low end of their acceptable range and you just left money on the table. A lot of things that are going to sway what salary somebody will take. Things like benefits, schedule flexibility, the amount of travel, location/commute, bonus eligibility, the work environment, and company culture to name a few. You don't know any of this up front.

Back in the days of paper applications I used to write, "Willing to discuss."

I write in negotiable if it is allowed. Many web applications force you to put a number in there. I hate that.

I suppose writing in "One Million Dollars" would get you bounced.

I hate that one.

I really don't car that much about the specifics of the annual salary (above some absurd bare minimum, but I'll be damned if I'm putting that number on the app). It's all about the whole package, I'll gladly take a substantial hit in pay for the right other benefits, and there are too many "moving parts" in that to really deal with at that stage of the job hunt/negotiation process.

JThw8 wrote:

flountown wrote: I am in a similar position with applying, if I have to put a number on it as an entry level ME, I put 49,000 if its surburban, but I am also applying to jobs in Philly and DC, there since the cost of living is higher, I look at 54k as my required salary. With the magic number being 52k.

On a much more specific note to your situation, dont forget to take Philadelphia city wage tax into account. 54 ends up being more like 49 after that chunk.

No worries, the current rate puts me just north of 49k if I were to accept 52k. 55k puts me over the 50k mark pre-tax.

BorgWarner Turbochargers is located in Asheville, NC, about 5 hours from Huntsville. They have been hiring a lot of engineers. Do you know ProE? They have had 2 or 3 open Design Engineer positions for months now. Good pay, excellent benefits, annual bonus (was 14% last year), Asheville's a really cool city too.

Bob

Schmidlap wrote: BorgWarner Turbochargers is located in Asheville, NC, about 5 hours from Huntsville. They have been hiring a lot of engineers. Do you know ProE? They have had 2 or 3 open Design Engineer positions for months now. Good pay, excellent benefits, annual bonus (was 14% last year), Asheville's a really cool city too. Bob

Awesome place to work. I worked for Holset in Charleston SC and tried to get up there many times... Asheville is wonderful. DO IT!