What was your starting salary (approx.)? - Page 24

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Update: MA in Economics

Year 1: $45,000
Year 2: $82,500

Now working for a electric utility as Business Analyst.

I have an interview tomorrow and honestly have no idea what to put for my desired salary. The salary range that I found on glassdoor for the company is $63k-100k with an average of 80500. I have no industry experience, however, I was making about $65/hr working for my school. Would it be unreasonable to ask for 78-98k? The job only requires a BS, but I have a MS and this is my first job.

Don't write anything on the form. They probably won't insist if it is an early round interview (or even notice if its an HR thing)

Try to get them to name a number first, you can use all sorts of ways to dodge the question...especially since you aren't coming from a job so its not like they are aiming to land you for 5% over your previous salary.

Thanks. This is actually a final round interview (or Super Day for the finance guys) with 7 interviews scheduled. They actually told me to fill out a form prior to coming and it explicitly asks for desired salary. :/

This is an engineering job.

i still ignore it. if it's an online form that requires it, i just put 0.

yeah, forms are to be left blank.

Someone may press you on it later and it is possible that you may have no choice but to answer (but you gotta try first), but the form should just be blank.

Ask for more than you want. I've never heard of someone not getting hired because they wanted too much money. I have heard of people turning down jobs because the employer wasn't willing to pay enough. FYI $65/hr is 130k per year assuming basic work week.

It's much easier to ask for money up front as opposed to asking for a raise later.

What were you doing for the school? At 65/hr I would imagine something computer/IT related? IF so, go ahead and ask for $130K annualized since that's what you made. But if you don't feel comfortable with that I would ask for above the top range of the glassdoor estimate (say $115k) and use your past experience to support it.

Of course, it's always best to have them make the financial offer first then countering but one isn't always given the option.

I was a TA and that's the hourly that was listed on my checks. The company ended up not collecting the form (i did not remind them either) and salary was never brought up....

Ah, disregard the first part of my advice then . Simply use the industry salary data to support your request then. The worst they can do is say no and counter offer.

1980 BS Accounting $18K for a job in Phoenix...  The highest in my class that I knew about was $24K for a job in Hartford for a big copper company.

 

Take the job, but never stop looking to improve your situation.

 

Cheers,

Graduated 2010 English degree.

Got a full time job working as a "residential counsellor" in a mens homeless shelter, worked there part time throughout University. 33K.

Did that for about 8 months full time before I got a far better position in the social services field (mental health), non-profit sector. That started at 52K, and I'm a bit more than a year and a half into that. More education such as an MSW would provide me with more options like clinical counseling, which one can charge up to $140 an hour. That's the long term goal.

First year as a doctor graduate in UK, 2011, made an equivalent of $44k before taxes (which I'm sure total more than in the US). This year I should make about 58k pre-tax. Hoping to be on about 100k in 4 years doing locum work as a General Practioner (takes 5 years total from graduation here to qualify as a GP).
 

"Take the job, but never stop looking to improve your situation."

I really like that! Short, simple, but effective.