Questions about job searching?

Question

I'm looking for a job and I have 3+ years of experience with the same company. A lot of job I'm applying for say something like "please include salary history/requirements" - does this mean I should include a blurb about my past salaries and my desired salary in the cover letter or attach a separate sheet or what? I don't want to look like I don't know what I'm doing.
Thanks for your help! :)

I understand what a salary history is and what it means when they ask for my salary requirments, I just wanted some advice on when to mention it in my application package (cover letter, resume, etc) - read the whole question before answering.

Answer 1

There are a couple of ways to do this - and it depends in part on what you are being asked for. I also would not give exact figures, but a general ball park answer. I hope it goes without saying you should only provide this information if it is required.

1) Include it for each job on your resume, as a part of the job/company information.

Example:
Director of Whatever 01/00 - 07/06
ACME Inc, Sometown, AA
Salary - $100,000

2) Add a salary statement to your cover letter -

Example:
As Director of Whatever, I recieved a total compensation package worth $150,000 annually. (Note - compensation can include the cash value of all those little things, like free parking, insurance, 401K, etc)

2b) You can lump it all together.

Example:
Typical annual salary range - $100,000 - $150,000

Answer 2

Salary requirements means what you need to get paid to make maintain your current living standard.

Potential employers want to pay you the least bit possible. For past salary history, never give your true amount, always add 10 to 15% to it. It gives you more negotiating room with a potential new employer.

Answer 3

You can include it in your cover letter or you can add another category to your resume. Heading: Salaries then do your history/requirements there. Either is acceptable.

Answer 4

put it in a section titled compensation(s)