Hello, I could use some advice about what to put down for salary requirements for a job I am applying for. It is for a Medical Records Clerk position in the Kansas City area. I am trained as a front/back office medical assistant and am currently taking Health Information Management classes. I haven't worked out in the field in either field. I also haven't worked in 3 1/2 years (I was in school for a year of that). What should I put down for salary requirements? I was making $9.44 an hour as a Transcription Clerk when I last worked 3 1/2 years ago after not working for 17 years and not having worked in healthcare before. I have no idea what to put down. Thanks.

Of course you want to try and get as much as you possibly can but you don't want to go totally overboard. I would think $12 would be a good starting point for this position. Just let them know you would be willing to negotiate. This will get your foot in the door. Once in, sell yourself to them in such a way they will feel they need you and they will be willing to pay to dollar.

I would agree to always put 'salary negotiable' on an application or when being interviewed. That way one is not overbidding or underbidding. Good luck in your other endeavors!