Editor’s note: As a thank-you to the researchers who completed our 2013 marketing research salary survey, we sent a copy of the final report to all respondents. Among the many kind notes we received back was the following, sent by a researcher who wishes to remain anonymous.
Dear Quirk’s,
Sincere thanks for releasing the annual salary survey. It seems that some fiscal year bonuses are coming out, which stimulates the annual exodus from bad to better jobs and opens up the market.
From the biased viewpoint of an unemployed job hunter, few companies post the salary range of a position for candidates (or competitors) to see. It’s another inherent punishment from the marketplace that already marginalizes candidates for being laid off, not mastering every piece of available statistical software or for not being “purple unicorns” in general.
Some firms are actually hoping that hungry candidates will bid each other down to the lower end of the pool, which adds insult to injury. Another side-effect in the era of Survey Monkey? Perhaps.
From those of us who are “on the street” for letting gray hairs show or the crime of earning above the median, thanks for shining a light down today’s job-hunt tunnel, where it is certainly appreciated.
As for a research career, I am working toward project manager certification, where the real demand is.
Kind regards,
Anonymous