OK – I admit it. I do sometimes scan the "help wanted" job service websites. I check out the ad firms doing the hiring to see what their websites look like. If they’re hiring – they must be doing a great job, or so it would seem.

However more often than not, I’m perplexed! I see marketing and advertising websites that couldn’t draw a moth to light at midnight. Lousy graphics, lousy layouts and most of all – lousy copy.

I’ve also noticed a trend in these help wanted ads. It goes like this:

"Applications that do not include salary requirements will not be considered."

Why? Because that’s exactly what those ads are saying.

The best and brightest cost more. Having a sentence like the one used above literally screams "bargain hunting."

All it accomplishes is to frighten off people of exceptional talent while opening the door wide open for those of average ability.

It’s no secret why a company wants the information. It’s to "pre-weed" the field of applicants. Too little and you’re dropped. Too much and you’re also dropped.

You have to fit a preconceived idea of what that company deems acceptable. But since each company is different, it becomes a guessing game.

Does your company require salary requirements even before you set up interviews? If so, then you just put out the "We Only Want Average Talent" sign.

And that’s exactly what you’ll get.