Salary Negotiations

When an employer is ready to offer you a job, you will frequently be asked, “What salary do you expect?” Several good answers are possible. You can respond that salary is negotiable, that you expect a competitive salary, or that you would like to earn within a range of specific figures. For the last two answers, however, you need to know what salary is reasonable for someone with your education and experience going into the particular job you are considering.

You can often get average salary offer figures for Tech graduates from the Career Services Office. You can also look at the averages reported by the National Association of Colleges & Employers in their Salary Survey, which is published in January, March, July, and September and is available in the Career Services Office.

The Cost of Living Index should also be considered. Living in some areas is much more expensive than in others, and you need to factor in those differences when you decide what salary you expect. JobWeb (www.jobweb.org) is one Internet source with relocation information.

Keep in mind, too, that your salary is not your entire compensation package. Benefits such as insurance and retirement vary considerably from employer to employer. The number of vacation days also varies. Some employers encourage their employees to pursue advanced degrees and even pay part or all of the expenses. Most employers will provide this information when they make the job offer; if they do not, you should ask!

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