Opinion South Africa

[BizCareers] Let's talk about salary

The BizCareers Column returns and this week and we look at issues surrounding your salary.

I recently went for an interview and one of the questions I was asked was how much I currently earn and how much I would like to earn in my new job.

Since then my salary has been increased to the amount that I would have liked to earn in my new job. I want to leave my current employer and the interview was promising so what I want to know is how would I go about negotiating for my salary with the new employer without making myself sound unprofessional?

The other question I wanted to ask is that is it a good thing to put my current salary on my CV when I send it to potential employers? - Tumi

Hi Tumi,

Thank you so much for your question.

You haven't mentioned whether the company that interviewed you is moving forward with your application? If they are I would suggest letting them know your salary change as soon as possible. You may have previously fitted into their salary bracket, however now you may be on a different paygrade. This may not work for them financially or organically.

If however it's not an issue and they really want you on board (which I'm sure they do) then I would suggest discussing it openly with them. I don't think you can expect too much of a salary increase, however if they're willing to employ you at the same or slightly higher salary then I would say you've done very well.

To answer your question, yes I would state your current gross and nett salary as well as any benefits you receive. This will ensure openness from the beginning and when the discussion around salary occurs, everyone will be on the same page.

Always love what you do!
Juliette

Email your questions for publication on Bizcommunity to moc.ytinummoczib@snoitseuqreerac.

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About Juliette Attwell

Juliette Attwell is Head of Marketing & Operations at Recruitgroup. Recruitgroup has won Careerjunction Recruiter of the Year in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014 as well as Fast Growth Business of the Year at the National Business Awards 2014. Juliette holds a Bcom Honours in Marketing Management and is the resident "agony aunt" on the BizCareers Column, she was also a finalist in the Top Young Executive at the National Business Awards 2014.
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