Salary and Negotiation

Salary negotiation is probably something you’ve never thought about until applying for a job, depending on the kinds of places you’ve been working. Salary negotiation is when you’re discussing with a current or potential employer why you should be paid a certain amount of money for your work. There’s a reason, however, why salary negotiation is not something you would discuss as a cashier at “Joe’s Pizza” or when starting out an administrative assistant in an office. What’s this reason I speak of?

In short, entry-level positions, which are sort of like the first rung in a ladder (if the ladder is the work force), don’t offer you a lot of salary-related wiggle room. When you’re starting out at a company, or if you’ve just been offered a position and are deciding whether or not to accept it, keep in mind that you’re not considered a commodity. A person who has acquired very valuable and/or rare skills through years of relevant experience is considered a “hot” commodity because they have something most people don’t but that most companies want. So until you’ve gained some serious skills, don’t ask for more money than you deserve.

That being said, it’s important to understand just how much you’re worth. It’s up to you to do the research when determining the proper salary range of whatever kind of field/position you’ve been offered. It’s also important to consider the whole package, not just the amount of zeros on your paycheck: is health insurance included? How about paid sick leave, vacation time, or holidays? Don’t jump the gun and start asking about salary and benefits until you’ve actually been offered a position.

If you want to do some research about salary ranges for certain positions or careers check out our website at www.usfca.edu/career and go to “Resources” on the left-hand navigation menu. Also, www.salary.com is a great place to start your research. You can always visit us at the office too!

Have a great weekend!

Seghel