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– The LA Times has an interesting profile of Dr. Taryn Rose, who apparently sold her namesake company but has a new luxury line at Neiman Marcus (“Haute Footure”) as well as a less expensive line on the Home Shopping Network (“High Heel Power”). (Pictured: High Heel Power Peep-Toe Glitter Slingback by Dr. Taryn Rose
, available at HSN for $129).
– Fashion's Night Out is tonight! Who's going, and where? Please report!
– The NYT has a fascinating look at the new take on “power dressing” for the office.
– NYT (via Yahoo!) has an interesting story about student loan debt breaking up an engagement. Meanwhile, Mint.com suggests ways to start paying off your student loan debt.
– Wise Bread suggests five expenses to “ditch after you're 30.”
Jen L
I’m going out for Fashion’s Night Out! Starting at Kirna Zabete, then going to Bergdorf’s and Barney’s. Super excited and fingers are crossed that I actually get to see and meet Tom Ford and Victoria Beckham!
Laura
I have a question. I have a Masters degree (earned in an attempt to switch careers.) The economy imploded, and I’ve found myself back in my pre-masters job.
There is a job in my related field that I want to apply for, but the salary range is 31-35k and I think I’d need at least mid-40s to live.
Should I not apply? Should I apply and wait until something is offered to me and ask if they can pay any more? Do I incorporate my hopes for a higher salary (while referencing my helpful Masters) in my cover letter?
Thanks,
Anon
Do not put your higher salary hopes in a cover letter. No one is going to think “Wow, she rocks – we should consider paying her what she’s asking for, even though it is higher than what we planned, just based on how good she looks on paper!” Wait until they interview you and offer you the job.
Anon for today
I agree with this advice. Wait to talk money until there is an interview. And definitely don’t let it keep you from applying. A lot of companies set a base and will negotiate quite a bit when it means getting someone with the right experience or “fit.” You’re not so very far apart either in the grand scheme of things (for example, not like you’re trying to jump from 35 K to 80K). Chances are, your ideal in the mid-40s is still very much in line with the intended salary grade. And even if they can’t budge in the end, it still doesn’t hurt to make the contact. You never know–they may wind up opening it to a more senior-level position (or one might soon be available) where you would be an even better fit.
AE
I think the odds that they could pay a full 30% or so higher salary that you could afford to live on are probably pretty slim. I wouldn’t bother applying.
AE
Another point- if you apply knowing that you can’t take the job because the salary is too low, they interview you and offer you the job, and then you turn it down because it pays too little, then you have wasted their time.
It’s annoying when this happens. When I was a lawclerk I dealt with hiring new clerks. The clerkship was in a tropical location, and we had lots of people apply that really did not have the personal situation that would allow them to take the job (i.e. they had ill family members and were married to spouses who could not move because of work). They would get invited to interview and then back out, and we even had someone accept the clerkship and later back out for reasons like this that should have prevented him from applying in the first place.
MelD
I think clerkships are not really comparable to other jobs. They’re often term-limited positions with no ability to negotiate salary or promotions. In Laura’s case, she’s not going to know how feasible taking the job is until she interviews. It may be that she can get promoted fairly quickly and make a much higher salary, or it may be that the salary is there to stay for the long-term. It seems like the pay cut is inevitable, so even if she can’t take this job, interviewing will give her a better idea of what she needs to do to prepare.
Anon
The example isn’t fair. You should expect salary to be fairly negotiable with most positions. You shouldn’t expect that of the basics: location or PT vs. full-time, etc. I also don’t think it is reasonable to expect applicants to worry about wasting your time–that’s just part of the national weeding out that comes with interviewing folks. (FWIW: If there is repeated reluctance to meet a basic requirement of the job description, perhaps you should state it more clearly. I’ve done that in the past, stating “This positions requires a degree in X and X years of experience in (industry); those not meeting these requirements need not apply.”
Shayna
The only thing you have to lose by applying is a little time – so do it, but don’t put your salary expectations in the cover letter. You never know if they have room to maneuver until you go through the job app process and negotiate… go for it!
Emily
You say you “think” you’d need at least mid-40s; it might be helpful to actually set up a detailed budget and try living on a lower paycheck for a month or two (while saving the rest!). If it’s a job you really, really want, you’ll know whether you can take it even if the pay isn’t there, and you’ll have some cash in savings as an emergency fund.
Chicago K
Is the job your only way into the career you want? Will you basically have to take a pay cut in order to get into this new field?
I would go to the interview and see what the job looks like and how much it really pays. If it’s truly what you want to do, maybe you can cut down your finances – (cheaper rent, cheaper car, no more eating out/expensive hair cuts or get secondary income from a weekend job or getting a roomate) to get into the field with hopes of moving up in a few years.
Laura
I do think I will probably have to take a paycut to get into this field, but with the hopes that it will pay off in the end. However, my expectations based on my degree and previous grads with my degree is something in the low to mid 40s.
Even 45k would be a paycut for me right now. I only recently starting making more than my expenses, (car payment, student loans which are now 13% of my take home pay, etc.) My short term goal was to work as hard as I can in this job and save $ and pay off my car so that I could afford to take a pay cut. The car realistically wouldn’t be paid off until next year.
Yeah, I will go ahead and apply. If they don’t even call me for an interview, I guess the point is moot anyway. Thanks!
Chicago K
Good luck! Nothing ventured nothing gained as far as the job application goes, right?
Emily
Good luck! If you get an offer and they won’t budge on price, you could try to find a second job or get a roommate – if you aren’t willing to make that sacrifice, maybe that says the job wasn’t worth it anyway.
Plus Size GLiTZ
You determine your worth.