Executive level resumes and cover letters should never include salary expectations. Remember that the goal of the resume is to acquire an interview. The goal of the cover letter is to get past the gatekeeper and ensure that your resume reaches the right hands.

The purpose of the resume is not to give salary expectations and it can, in fact, spoil your chances to get the interview. While we all work for wages or salaries, and executives will certainly have expectations in the amount of compensation they expect to receive, there is an unwritten rule that says the amount of money to be made should not be the primary concern. It will be brought up during the interview if it goes well and you are likely to be offered the position.

The interviewer may ask you if you have expectations, and if he or she does then that is the proper time to respond with a range. Or, to let the interviewer know what you currently earn, since they would expect to at least meet, if not beat your current pay structure. They may request a formal salary history, and if it is requested a professional resume writer can assist you in preparing one.

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