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By Susan Gitonga,
The issue of salary becomes a very touchy subject for most of us, when we can’t determine how much we’re worth, or how much we should be paid for a new job.
It’s often very confusing when an employer expects you to indicate your expected salary as you submit your application.
The job advert will often read, Send us your CV and Cover Letter indicating the expected salary,” and this statement throws us off as we ponder and wonder on what to indicate.
Employers will ask you to indicate your expected salary in order to see if your expectations fit within the Company Budget, and for them to know how much you consider fair remuneration for the role/job you’re applying for.
Before you jump the gun, first ensure you conduct a thorough research on the Company and the particular job you’re applying for, to understand the market rate. For well-known companies, a site such as glassdoor.com can help you find out how much a Kenyan Company pays for certain positions.
According to Ms. Mwendwa, a Career Advisor and Professional CV Writer at Corporate Staffing Services, you should never indicate your expected salary as a triple/double of your previous salary.
You should benchmark from your past salary and quote a figure that is within a range you’re familiar with. Entry-level employees who do not have any work experience and salary to refer to should do their research and quote a realistic figure.
When it comes to writing, the expected salary information should be indicated at the bottom of your cover letter as you near the signing off section.
That said, here are 3 ways To Indicate Expected Salary In Your Cover Letter

 1. Give A Range You’re Comfortable With

Don’t let the fear of being disqualified drive you into settling for a range that is lower that what you can live by. State a range that is reasonable, bearing in mind the job responsibilities, time, and role you are required to take.
Don’t put the bottom amount lower than you are willing to work for because most employers will settle on the lower amount you provide within the range.
Indicating a range is a good strategy, which will allow you to negotiate more than stating a fixed amount.
How to say it, “ Taking into consideration the responsibilities mentioned in the job advert and the value I would add to the Company, my expected range would lie between 45K-60K.”

 2. Open Up Room For Further Discussion

Sometimes you might be unsure about what exactly to say, in the case of a company you’re not too familiar with, or a Company that does not disclose its remuneration packages.
In such cases, you can tell your employer in the cover letter that it would be great if you discussed the expected salary in person, once it is determined that you are a suitable candidate for the position.
How to say it, “ Salaries is a very key factor for me when considering which job offer to take. I’d be happy to discuss the salary once we determine I am a great fit for this position.”

 3. Add 10% To Your Previous Salary

If you don’t have a clue about the salary range this new job lies within, you could decide to add 10% to your previous salary to arrive at a good starting salary.
If for instance you were earning Kshs 35,000, adding 10% would mean that your starting salary is at Kshs 38,500. State this exact figure as one you are ready to settle for.
How To Say It: “Based on my experience, understanding of the market and the value I could add to your company, the salary I have in mind is Kshs 38,500.”
And there you have it, not too mind bogging after all. The above-mentioned ways should help you approach the ‘expected salary question’ better and with much ease.
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