“Only resumes with salary histories will be considered.”
Does this put a bit of fear and trepidation in your heart?
I say it’s RUBBISH. And that's my nice word for it.
There are two clear options when salary history is requested. Well, before I even get to that. I have never in the past and never would in the figure prepare a salary history for any of my executive resume clients. There is no earthly reason to denote salary figures for every year of the candidate’s life. I simply don’t believe in salary histories.
Here’s what I do recommend, though. First, I ask the executive, “Philosophically, are you in favor of or against stating an actual number?”
If the answer is that they will state a number, then I recommend stating a range of minimally $10K. This range should be based on research. The bottom number of the range should represent a level of compensation that you will be happy and fulfilled living with.
If the answer is they have no desire to reveal a number, then I recommend stating that salary will become a serious consideration essentially after both sides have established a mutual professional interest. At that point, you expect to participate in intelligent negotiations to reach upon a mutually agreeable figure.
By the way, I have never in my professional history had an executive resume client come back to me to later report that his resume was rejected because of not submitting a salary history.
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