| Responding
to questions about your salary expectations |
| Don't
be taken by surprise |
| |
Occasionally,
an employer may ask you to give a salary requirement or preference.
This question is appropriate for (and more likely to be asked of)
experienced people with a salary history. For a student being hired
directly out of college or a graduate program, the question can
be awkward. But don't be unprepared. There are several ways
you can respond: |
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It is perfectly
acceptable to say "negotiable." |
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You could
suggest a range to the employer. Do your salary research first.
Sources we recommend: |
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VT bachelor's degree
new grad salaries: |
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Post-Graduation
Report gives VT graduates' salaries by major, with averages
and 25th and 75th percentiles. |
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Nationwide bachelor's
and master's degree new grad salaries: |
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|
NACE, the National Association of
Colleges and Employers, collects and publishes the most comprehensive
new grad salary information; survey conducted 4x annually. |
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Two NACE sources: |
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NACE
Salary Survey Snapshots
- Brief list of average bachelor's degree salaries for some majors. |
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OR |
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NACE full report IN PRINT
at Career Services
- Comprehensive bachelor's and master's degree salaries.
- Averages and high- and low-end percentiles.
- View any time during our office
hours; no appt. needed.
- An advisor will be glad to assist you in finding information you
need. |
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Comprehensive info: |
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More
salary info sources — several web site that have general
and profession-specific salary information and articles. |
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|
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If you state
a salary request, tell the employer the sources of information you
used (i.e., National Association of Colleges and Employers Salary
Survey, and cost of living index for the employment location).
This backs up your request with hard data — not just your gut
instinct or rumors. |
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If you ask
for a salary well above average, justify your request. State what
in your background and experience qualifies you. Can you be just
as productive as other employees earning that salary? |
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| Also see: |
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Salary relocation calculators —
do salary comparisons by location |
|
Negotiating salary |
