Salary expectations...

[EmberElftree]

So I am applying for a job and they have advertised the salary up to x amount dependent on experience but have also asked applicants to include salary expectations in the cover letter.

The job is for a P.A. of which I have no previous experience. I was previously a corporate manager for around 8 years and earned much more than the salary they have advertised. The last 2 years I have been working with animals which has been bliss but I need to get back into the "real" world and earn a decent wage again.

I am conscious that though I have never held a previous position with the title of P.A. I do have all of the transferable skills & experience & attributes required as per the advert.

The average P.A. salary where I am has a big range dependent on languages, skills, education & experience etc and starts at the figure this company have advertised.

I do appreciate that I haven't held a P.A. position before but I would like to maximise my earning potential of course and not sell myself short.

How do you think I should approach this? Any help much appreciated!

[maggiethemagpie]

If they've told you the salary range, I'd pitch in at the top or just below the top of the range, if you think you have the skills required. If it's more of a step up for you, and you don't have all the skills required I'd pitch it lower. But employers will generally pay a little more for the best candidate, up to the top of the authorised limit.

[madamemuddle]

I disagree with maggie. Unless you have direct relevant experience then I would say you'll be looking at bottom/middle of the salary range.

I've been a PA a long time and have a lot of experience, degree, etc. I've also contracted a lot but it is very tough out there at the moment. There seems to be a lot of competition with fewer jobs and I am in the south east. Salaries also seem to have stagnated whilst workloads have doubled.

Also, do you really want to be a PA? You probably don't realise it but it is bloody hard work. You need to work very fast and be able to do ten things at once. It will be very different to looking after animals. Although I've never been out of work I certainly wouldn't recommend it. Is there anything else you can do?

[EmberElftree]

Thanks Maggie & Madame I've kept it vague in the region of what they are suggesting as a salary.

I'm not in the UK so it works a bit differently here. I was worried that they would say I was over qualified going for a senior management position, even though I have no experience of being a PA.

Thanks for your feed back Madame, I have had a PA myself before so I have an understanding of what the job entails. I like the sound of the woman who is looking for a PA as well as the field she is in.

We'll see what happens if I even get an interview!

[EmberElftree]

going from a senior management position - duh maybe my attention to detail needs some work...