Free Career and Job Search Advice

[SalaryNegotiation-Michael]

I am a fresh graduate with excellent academic background; Since I loved the work and I was really good I have worked part time with a CPA for four and half years.

I have applied for two jobs and I was happy to have been offered 40K at the outset in both the organizations – that is the starting salary.

Then I realized that my classmate who also applied for a similar position in the same organization was offered 45K plus accommodation. My spirits went out of the window – I am not jealous of his being able to get a better offer; I am only wondering where I went wrong in my negotiations that I could not get a similar offer. My friends as well as the college counselor strongly advised to be a tough negotiator. The problem is I do not know on what point I should negotiate…

What should I do in order to be able to command a good salary at the outset?

Can anyone tell me a few tips?

A very confused Michael

[Dillion]

You will not have much choice unless given the opportunity to negotiate; being a fresher you have no leverage to negotiate for a better salary. However, if you think you can be extremely useful to the company in other field as well, you may put across the idea that you would be able to do more if the salary is higher since your talents could be used outside the present job responsibilities.

However, this is a very tricky situation and you have to be very careful to maintain the communication open at all times; do not give any ultimatums or block your way to back out in case they cannot match your expected salary.

[college counselor]

My dear boy, in an entry position you hardly have the scope to negotiate. You are upset that your friend got more – find out what he had to offer; he/she would have definitely something more to give or he/she would not have got the difference in the pay.

My advice to you is to accept what is offered, if you think is a fair market price; and then prove your talents in such a way that you will be given promotion within one year’s time.

Do not negotiate strongly, or you will loose the job.. and that it very demoralizing when you are a fresher.

a veteran
college counselor

[Guest]

Michael, take the job; you won’t they will offer it to the next guy!!!
The starting salary is always a touchy subject and if you are currently unemployed I would urge yuo to go for it.

[unemploymed-for2long]

prove yourself

Your friends’ and college counselor’s advice to strongly negotiate sucks.. you will definitely loose the job. You will have sufficient time to make up for the lost money once you have experience under your belt… ACCEPT THE JOB…

[Guest]

Listen, forget who got what. Put yourself the following questions: Is the salary what the market dictates for the position? Will the salary pay for your maintenance and basic amenities and provide a comfortable standard of living? Are there opportunities for growth in this company?

Answer honestly to these questions – if the answer is yes.. then accept the job and forget about your friend.. you will make it up in no time with a bit of hard work, and determination.

[CollegeGrad]

Do not negotiate – you should know that entry level positions have a fixed scale of pay; you may be tempted to negotiate but that may cut your chances off as it will put you across as haughty and uninformed.

You will definitely loose this job on this note.

[college career counselor]

Hey, Mike – I am a myself college career counselor and I found it funny that all the bloggers missed the fact that you do have four and half years experience which is quite a lot for a young fresher. In this light the advice you received from your career counselor is okay – you should try to negotiate by highlighting the fact that you do have some experience to your name, despite being a fresh graduate.

To answer your question, negotiation is an art that is perfected with time. You should be able to know when to push and when to back off and in the end, like a good gambler, when to call it quits.

Before you negotiate, check out the background of the job you are being offered; what is the minimum and maximum that is offered in terms of pay and perks; find your level and then ask for it confidently. Many times you will be surprised how easy it is get a higher pay. Yet, sometimes, you will have to point out your usefulness and intrinsic value to the organization before being considered for the raise.

Frankly speaking, the threat of withdrawing the offer is also very real. Hence, my advice is you should negotiate or at least some time to think it over.. but be very careful how far is no further!

When and if you get the hiked salary, be very careful that you prove yourself useful around the company as you will have been pretty well highlighted to the management and they will want to know whether they did right by giving in to you. Be sure you record your achievements and what you do on daily basis, in case it would be needed for an impromptu performance assessment.

All the best!

[Guest]

Hey you have some four years plus experience – of course you should negotiate! Any extra cash you get is great.. push for it. You know the saying no gain without pain!

[Laserjet]

Michael I think the offer you got is quite good; I have known college grads working for half the amount; also it is really not very important the starting salary as much as it is to see your growth opportunities. You should be aware that besides the pay there are a number of perks that are not counted in cash, but can save a pretty penny. SO, my advice it to check out the whole package before selling the job short.

If you are smart with your background you could overtake your colleague overnight. People in your line of expertise in five year’s time become managers. What you need to do is strengthen your network and gather some proper experience; you have a very good chance of growth. The CPA experience would hold very good for you as the market demand is growing for these skills set.

Walk confidently, you are a successful path.