| Graduating from college can be a very | | | | graduates with Master Degrees or PhD's are |
| exciting time. You are finally fulfilling | | | | able to do just that based simply on the fact |
| the dream of starting the career for which | | | | that they went further in school. |
| you have been working so hard all those | | | | |
| years. However, reality may set in quickly | | | | It is important that you not sell yourself |
| if you cannot find the job you are looking | | | | short. You do not necessarily need to work |
| for or are not offered the salary you were | | | | for a small wage if you believe you are worth |
| expecting. Most graduates have little - if | | | | more. But you first need to research salary |
| any - experience actually working in their | | | | averages for your field of employment and |
| chosen profession, so that lack can make | | | | general locale. Many companies try to |
| landing a related position even more | | | | "lowball" prospective employees. However, |
| difficult. | | | | armed with knowledge of average salaries in |
| | | | your specialty, you are better equipped to |
| You may need to start from the bottom at an | | | | strike a bargain for your market value. |
| entry level job while gradually working your | | | | |
| way up the ladder. This can be a difficult | | | | You do not need to feel compelled to take the |
| emotional adjustment, but it may be the only | | | | first offer that is given to you, either. |
| means of initially getting your foot in the | | | | Salary for the most part is open to |
| door of your preferred employer. The | | | | negotiation - within reason. Again, since |
| challenges in that scenario are that you may | | | | you do not have experience, you will likely |
| not be paid what you think your skills and | | | | be limited in your ability to negotiate a |
| effort are worth, and there may well be a lot | | | | much higher salary, but even a small about |
| of competition for the very position you | | | | above an initial offer is helpful. |
| seek. | | | | |
| | | | The most important rule of thumb about salary |
| As a recent graduate, unfortunately there is | | | | negotiation is that you avoid discussing |
| not a lot of room for negotiation of salary. | | | | salary until a formal offer has been extended |
| This is because you do not bring a wealth of | | | | for employment. Doing so will first afford |
| experience into the position, and you are | | | | you the opportunity to understand the core |
| still young. You normally cannot negotiate | | | | and peripheral responsibilities of the |
| effectively something for work you have never | | | | position. That knowledge may help you during |
| truly done before, while applicants with | | | | salary discussions. |
| experience will be much better positioned to | | | | |
| negotiate based on previous positions. | | | | Lastly, salary is not your only financial |
| | | | consideration. You need to weigh company |
| However, you still have the ability to figure | | | | benefits such as health insurance, dental |
| out what you are worth. Depending on the | | | | insurance, and 401K plans as well. Taking |
| type of degree you graduated with, you may be | | | | the entire package into account will help you |
| able to successfully request a higher salary | | | | better analyze whether you are being offered |
| based on your education alone. Many | | | | a good deal to start your new career. |