Practice Makes Perfect:

I don't agree with that philosophy of job hunting.

Every interview has a great potential to be a learning experience which will make you that much more confident, polished, and ready for the "big" interview with the company you really want to work for.

Some folks only want to go on interviews with companies they are excited about. Granted, if time and gas money are factors, I understand how you don't want to waste either; however, you need SOME recent interviewing experience under your belt in preparation for the interview that will matter to you.

If you pass up interview after interview until you finally land that one with the pharmaceutical company or the doctor's office or wherever it is you'd really like to work, chances are you will be so nervous that you won't be focused, prepared, and yourself during the interview. So, as part of your learning process and confidence-building strategy, go ahead and go on as many interviews as your time and finances permit - even if the salary they tell you over the phone is not what you had hoped. I can't tell you the number of times I have had clients who were told one salary, but when they met the interviewer they made such an impression that they were offered more!

Further, if an advertised job demands to know your salary requirements or salary history when you first send your resume and cover letter - do NOT include that information! Instead, write something like this in your cover letter, "My salary is negotiable; I am more concerned with securing a position with a company where I can utilize my skills and grow with the company while contributing to their continued success." This way, you are at least addressing their request for a salary history, but you are not stating any numbers.

There are a couple of reasons for this.

First, if you make a list of all the places you worked and what you got paid, would you say that you were fairly paid for the size and scope of your responsibilities at those positions? Probably not. What you earned at your most recent job does not mean you can't earn more than that at your next job - you are more experienced and have more skills now (ideally).

On the other hand, if you earned a salary in the 6+ digits for several years, you may be financially out of the employer's ballpark, but perhaps you are negotiable. Maybe they will offer you stock in the company instead, or perhaps a 1 month's paid vacation, or a chance to earn commission or bonuses! Most people are negotiable when considering the salary and benefits package.

Also, if the company has in their budget $35,000, for example, for the job to you which you are applying and you write "$29,000″ in your cover letter - do you really think they are going to offer you the full $35,000?

Wait for the interview to discuss salary and benefits. See where you will be working and what your responsibilities will be before you tell them how much you will do the job for!

If a potential employer will not consider you because you did not send salary requirements or history - that's fine - you don't want to work for a company like that anyway. They are more concerned with hiring the cheapest worker vs. the most qualified. Imagine how easy it would be for them to look through the cover letters for the salary amount only and simply toss out all the resumes that were even a few thousand over their budget.

Wait for the interview to learn more about the job and see your potential surroundings before discussing how much you want to earn.