A member of a Facebook group I recently joined asked this question about compensation:
“…hello members – just curious, would an almost 100k annual compensation be an average rate for a logistics manager position? thanks in advance!!”
It’s a good question that requires a bit of research. It really depends on the company, the location, and the requirements of the job.
Here are a few places where you can begin to conduct your own research:
Online tools
GlassDoor | https://www.glassdoor.ca/
PayScale | https://www.payscale.com/
Salary.com | www.salary.com
Your Network
You might consider talking to people in your industry and other logistics managers you already know. You can ask them about the types of compensation to expect given your current credentials and qualifications for the role you’re seeking. Not sure who to ask -maybe you went to school or worked with logistics managers. Could you ask one of them?
Information Interview (Use your social network to introduce you)
You might consider doing an information interview* to find out more about the local labour market. Simply reach out to a stranger (gasp… I know, right?). Reach out to someone on LinkedIn who is a logistics manager and see whether you’re connected to that person by someone already in your network. If yes, ask for an introduction. Easy peasy.
If not, ask to connect to the person and in the note you send, tell them why you’re looking to connect (which you should always do anyway #justsayin’). Your note might say something like … “ Hi Name, I’m doing some research on salary expectations for a logistics manager position. I am currently looking for a job opportunity in (City Name) and when the time is right I want to be sure I have a good range. I was thinking $X – X+$10K but I’m not sure if that’s too high or too low. Do you have 5 minutes to help?
- an information interview is like a reverse job interview. You ask a professional to spend a few moments with you so you can learn more about them, their company and/or their job. Usually (not always) they are flattered to be asked and will agree. You gain insight into their world of work and they get to know you a bit. To be clear – this is not a pitch session. You’re not trying to sell them on the idea of hiring you. Use this as an information gathering session.
This is a good start. Conduct your research and get an accurate picture of what the market pays for a logistics manager. I hope you find what you need to make a good decision.
Maureen McCann
PS. This is the exact same advice I gave a client a few weeks ago. He did his homework, uncovered his worth in today’s market and negotiated $60K more than he had originally thought possible. Not a bad return on investment for a quick phone conversation with a career strategist, eh?
Conclusion
Knowing your worth in today’s market will give you the confidence to ask for what you truly deserve. This ensures you don’t ‘settle’ for a company, employer or a job that is going to pay you less than what you’re worth. That type of thinking leads to a misalignment between you and the employer. If they don’t value your skills today what makes you think they’ll change their mind moving forward?
Related Categories: Career Clarity, Client Questions & Answers, Job Search
About The Author
Maureen McCann is an award-winning career coach, master resume writer, and master certified interview, employment, and career strategist whose clients include C-level executives, managers, and professionals in all industries including the Canadian banking, oil and gas, healthcare, IT, and government sectors.