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!