Looking for job to help with budget...need advice

T. Lynn

...livin' and learnin' - simplified my life :-)
Joined
Feb 20, 2006
I'm applying to several companies for Secretarial/Admin positions. It's been quite a while since I submitted cover letters. I do have some saved from when I went to business school.

One place is asking for resume with salary requirements. In my cover letter I was going to address this but I forget what I was told to put on cover letters.

Maybe something to the fact of salary being negotiable? Is there someone out there that could help me and shed some light on this? What would be professional...at this point I need a part-time job.
 
I am not sure how much you need to make an hour. Eons ago I worked for temp agencies doing admin work. Have you checked those out? I was able to choose the weeks I worked :)

I'm applying to several companies for Secretarial/Admin positions. It's been quite a while since I submitted cover letters. I do have some saved from when I went to business school.

One place is asking for resume with salary requirements. In my cover letter I was going to address this but I forget what I was told to put on cover letters.

Maybe something to the fact of salary being negotiable? Is there someone out there that could help me and shed some light on this? What would be professional...at this point I need a part-time job.
 
You should have a few pieces of your resume packed ready to go at all times.


A generic cover letter. (in case you run into a potential lead any place)
A specific cover letter. (tailored for the job you want and are applying for now.)
A resume. This needs to have your name, address, contact info, career objective, past employment, skills, and degrees or certificates held. The very bottom needs to say: References available upon request.
References. (any past employers or colleagues or friends. Call each person ahead of time to ask to put them down and to let them know what type of job you are going for)
Salary history. (this is a history of your salary earned, It should match the jobs listed on your resume.)

If you don't have a salary history, at the very least, have a piece of paper with your desired salary on it for the job you are applying. You may list if you are flexible or not.


Have everything on the same colored paper or grain of paper. (I like using the faintest blue).

Have your header on each sheet be your name, address, and contact phone number/email all in the same font.


You will use the cover letter and resume to get an interview. Present the references and salary history when asked at your interview. If not asked, offer them up.


Let's see. Your cover letter introduces yourself and is free from spelling errors. It closes by requesting an interview. You want to list in the first line the job (or job code if applicable) you are going for, and then the second paragraph briefly explains why you are suitable.

(To whom it may concern, I am applying to your part-time position of administrative assistant to Bob Roberts in the applications department that was posted in the trades.

I am organized, trustworthy, and I can type 80 words a minute. As seen on my resume, I have a bachelor's degree in basket-weaving and have been an administrative assistant to an accountant for five years. I am really excited to have the opportunity to work for ABCD company because of your company's extensive reputation in the field of underwater weaving.

Please feel free to contact me for an interview at your convenience.

Thank you,

Handbag Lady)
 
With the market being so tight, and if you have not been in an office recently, I would follow pp advice and look into an agency. They will work with you to get into a job with hours that works best for you.

I also work in an HR department, and our recruiters are inundated with resumes. Make sure your resume and cover letter have been proofed. One spelling mistake, can put your resume in the bottom of the pile. Also, if you are responding to an ad, try to find out to whom your resume will be going. Its much nicer to read a cover letter address to a person than To Whom it May Concern.

Lastly, if you are using job boards, do not click on the automatic submission button. Open a new email, and email the recruiter directly. These will get you farther than the auto emails generated on these boards.

Good Luck!
 


Thank you. I do have various types of cover letters saved as word documents. I normally have them taylored to the specific job so it looks more presentable with the company's info typed on there. I also have them set up almost exactly the way Handbag Lady described.

This specific job is asking for salary requirements. I need to add that into my cover letter but don't know exactly how to word it and that's what I need help with. Should it be added to the first or second paragraph?

I'd like to print it out this morning and send it in the mail.
 
I have usually used the following when asked to include salary requirements:

"Your job posting requested the inclusion of salary requirements. My salary requirement is negotiable based upon the job responsibilities and the total compensation package which is difficult to comment on before having an opportunity to personally discuss this position; however, based on the information I have at this time I am looking for a salary range of ________ - ________, but am willing to negotiate or consider different amounts once learning further details of the position and what will be required of me to fulfill it properly."

Or something like that.

Answers the question, but if you are WAY off, let's them know not to rule you out. Be sure to RESEARCH what is appropriate pay for the position you are applying for so you are not completely out of the planet with your request.

Good luck with the job,
Dreams
 
I wouldn't even list a range. They may be willing to pay a lot more. Let them make an initial salary offer once employment is extended and then work from there. I was looking to change jobs once and was hoping to get a 20K raise, using the tactic above I was offered 40K above my current salary. Don't box yourself in. If you list X to Y range, they will almost always offer you X because they know you will accept X even if Y was within what they were willing to pay.
 


Thanks everyone for your help. Wanted to give an update. I had a telephone interview last week with our local community college, then a regular interview yesterday. Well, today I was called and offered the position.

The hours are perfect for me, which is 9-1. My mom doesn't go into work till 2 so should I need a babysitter, I'll save on fees because she lives right next door to where I'll be working. Also, I'll have off on almost all the school days that DD does as well so that will be nice. if the weather is bad, mom & dad will be getting company.

I'm so happy and gladly accepted!
 
CONGRATS!!! :woohoo:

I've been following your posts and taking notes of all the advice out there since I'm now looking for a job as well, I haven't been on an interview since 1997!!!! To say I'm scared and nervous is an understatement, but these posts along with the support thread have been wonderful.

Once again CONGRATS!!!
 
Wow great! Congrats!

Gotta love those hours.............

lisa

Thanks everyone for your help. Wanted to give an update. I had a telephone interview last week with our local community college, then a regular interview yesterday. Well, today I was called and offered the position.

The hours are perfect for me, which is 9-1. My mom doesn't go into work till 2 so should I need a babysitter, I'll save on fees because she lives right next door to where I'll be working. Also, I'll have off on almost all the school days that DD does as well so that will be nice. if the weather is bad, mom & dad will be getting company.

I'm so happy and gladly accepted!
 

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