Salary question? Applying for new types of work cos of my disabiltiy what do I put?
Hi, I don't know if any of you have dealt with similar but you MAY have done. Since my injury, I can no longer do the same kind of work (nor do I want to!) & a lot of jobs I could do before are now out. I have had a couple of agencies say to send my CV to them. But then they ask what salary. And as I am having to change careers, due mostly to my injury, I don't know what to put. I have SOME experience in this field but not lots. But loads of transferable skills. I am currently only on Universal Credit so my money has gone way down. Should I look for entry level in that field but 25+ (which I am) and list THAT as my salary? Yes, my original salary would have been higher but in a different field. Has anyone been through something similar and or can you advise me what to do? There are also other places I'm asking, but I wondered if anyone else had to do different kind of work because of your disability & what you did about the salary question if so?
Comments
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I haven’t changed employer in decades, so I can’t offer much advice on negotiating. However, please don’t underestimate your worth just because you’ve been out of the job market due to injury.
When discussing salary expectations, it’s important to consider entry-level roles in your new field while recognising the value of your transferable skills. Research the typical salary range for these positions to ensure you don’t sell yourself short, as your transferable skills may justify a higher salary than standard entry-level pay.
Why not contact the employment agency to discuss your situation? They have insights into the field you’re entering and can likely inform you about the salary budget their client has set for the role. Agencies aim to connect the best candidates with positions, so they’ll likely be happy to chat and provide valuable guidance. Remember, you’ll be a great asset to any company, so don’t underestimate your worth. You can always negotiate based on the information they provide.
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MW123, this was REALLY helpful! I guess I felt nervous to ask the recruitment agencies for some reason maybe because I want to create a good impression - but the reality is yes I DO need help and I DO need to ask & it's making me a better candidate! I looked up salaries for the kind of roles & also asked someone at a recruitment agency, I called 2 to discuss this & one has said a minumum and maximum etc. So, it's not yet a completed puzzle but I feel like I have one more piece of the puzzle now! Thank you for this suggestion! It gave me that gentle nudge to ask anyway & I'm really glad I did! I've also been underpaid some times in the past so I think this was wise!!!
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I also want to say THANK YOU too about that part about not undervaluing myself and my skills etc. because of being out of the job market due to my injury. And all that's happened there. I can't physically do some of the jobs I could do before, so what? There's still a lot I have to offer & a lot that IS transferable and I need to remember that. That was also REALLY helpful thank you!!!
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You simply put the going salary for that particular job - no "disabled discount"..
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I cracked up laughing at that but also yep I totally agree. We are worth EVERY penny & there is to be NO "disabled discount." I did look up the salary and saw a range, but when I called the recruiter, I think the range includes say teens just out of high school & they told me their average range for those kind of jobs which was a bit higher than that. Anyway, I LOVE how you put that & I totally agree!!! THANK YOU!
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Given how few places seem to bother advertising actual salary lately I do find it interesting when they ask possible candidates what salary they are looking for. It puts the possible employer in the more powerful situation. If they are asking for a salary purely just to help you find a role that you find the salary suitable for, and aren't informing the possible employer of your salary wishes, then that is okay. My concern is you undervaluing yourself and heading into possible salary negotiations on the backfoot 🤔 While I don't think this is guaranteed I guess I'd ask if they share the salary number you give with the employer they connect you to.
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Plenty of employers unfortunately still believe that we are not worth paying a full salary to and for some unknown reason believe that they are doing us a favour by employing us
I remember a time (14 years ago) when I got a part time job as an IT tech - at a local school (paid by the Local Authority) and I was offered a "below minimum wage" rate.
I hit the roof (only 3 years previous - I had been working as a civil servant full time - on normal rates of pay for the last 25 years) - I raised it with the LA and next thing my salary rate increased to more than the legal minimum….
So it pays to check and complain, if necessary.
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Well done for not standing for that nonesense! Even in the past, sometimes I have settled for being underpaid & now I need to say no more. Not to the extent I let it happen before, anyway or staying in bad jobs WAY too long. Nope, no more of THAT either!
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Yes! That's a good point, a lot of jobs don't even seem to advertise the salary!! And thank you so much for these tips!
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