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How much am I “worth” to employ?

DISCLAIMER: I am firmly anti-work, find capitalism to be soul-crushing and the root of most, if not ALL evils in the world — however I am not part of the 0.000001%, so my ass is (unfortunately) working. That said, I've struggled to not become entirely exploited by job positions in the past — I put much more out that I'll ever get back, even if the pay BLOWS. I'm thankfully at a point where I know that my time is valuable, but I just don't know *how* valuable. ​ How much am I “worth” to employ? ​ I always get stumped on this question when employers ask, and I would like a second opinion as to what someone who doesn’t know me thinks I would truthfully be ‘worth’. ~1 year retail ~2.0–2.5 years food (barista, line cook, keyholder, host) ~0.5 years research / research assistant ~2.0–2.5 years athletic / country…


DISCLAIMER: I am firmly anti-work, find capitalism to be soul-crushing and the root of most, if not ALL evils in the world — however I am not part of the 0.000001%, so my ass is (unfortunately) working. That said, I've struggled to not become entirely exploited by job positions in the past — I put much more out that I'll ever get back, even if the pay BLOWS. I'm thankfully at a point where I know that my time is valuable, but I just don't know *how* valuable.

How much am I “worth” to employ?

I always get stumped on this question when employers ask, and I would like a second opinion as to what someone who doesn’t know me thinks I would truthfully be ‘worth’.

~1 year retail

~2.0–2.5 years food (barista, line cook, keyholder, host)

~0.5 years research / research assistant

~2.0–2.5 years athletic / country club front desk concierge

brief (education) internship with middle school science teacher at end of high school

I have been in the process of applying to a cute little local business café-type place, and the owner has voiced that she is interested in me taking on baking, front-of-house, as well as help with brand identity and social media (which I am very good with, and know how to use Photoshop quite well).

At our *first* interview, she asked me how much I made at past jobs. I stumbled and said “$15–$17”, though this does not include the tips / bonuses I often made.

My three last jobs paid:

$17/hr + bonus (if hit retail goals) = $20–22/hr

$15/hr + tips = $19–24/hr

$16/hr + bonus (if hit retail goals) = $19–21/hr

How much do you think I am genuinely worth to employ per hour? $20/hr would be a dream for me; $18.71/hr is cited as the living wage for individuals in my state — as conveyed by MIT (link). Aside from my work experience, I am incredibly passionate, punctual, and always see a job through. Graduated from highly ranked, pressure-cooker high school and have been attending rigorous, top-tier institutions (currently on leave).

TL;DR — Don’t know how much to say I’m “worth” in terms of hourly salary to potential new boss, and quite anxious to do so. Job is truly what I want but I don’t want to jeopardize with unrealistic expectations. TIA!

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