As more job descriptions are including pay range, you as a job seeker need to understand how those ranges actually work.
You might look at a range of $110K-155K and say, well I'll take $155K thanks! However, that might not always be the right approach.
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You might look at a range of $110K-155K and say, well I'll take $155K thanks! However, that might not always be the right approach.
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Unfortunately, most orgs only train managers (and sometimes not even them) on how these ranges work. Typically, there is a high, low, and midpoint.
The high-level goal is to bring people who are below the mid-point for a role, up to that mid-point.
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The high-level goal is to bring people who are below the mid-point for a role, up to that mid-point.
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This happens through good performance appraisals that drive good raises and up they float. For those who've now moved beyond the mid-point, that's a sign to their leader that they should be about ready for next level up (i.e. a promotion), so those conversations start.
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An issue that happens is when you have an employee who is at the top of their range but is not qualified for or willing to move into that next level role. This is very undesirable as an employee as much as it is undesirable to the employer, so avoiding it is also a goal.
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So back to the example, if you're looking at a role don't immediately assume you should be making the top of the range. That would bring you into a bad situation and the employer will likely be resistant. You want to have room to get raises in your current role.
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However, I'm not suggesting that you take less than what you need and are worth. So if your salary requirements are $155K, then looking at a role that tops out at that mark is probably not right for you and you should be looking for a higher paying role.
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It's ok to come in above the mid-point, but just be aware, due to what I've discussed here, they're going to expect you to check more of the boxes on the JD and expect you to be more of an immediate performer than had you come in lower. You'll have less of a ramp-up period.
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So of course there's caveats to all of this, promotions can happen before you reach your mid-point, some people are content just staying at the top of the range and never moving up, etc.
Also, I'll reiterate, I'm not saying this to suggest that you should ask for less.
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Also, I'll reiterate, I'm not saying this to suggest that you should ask for less.
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What I am telling you is that if you're already at the top of the range for a particular job, it's probably not the job for you. Either you're over-qualified or they're coming in below market value for the role. Either way, look elsewhere and go get paid what you deserve.
/FIN
/FIN
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