you can say "I'm focusing on jobs that pay at least $50K.". There was no way I was going to accept the $60,000 offer … Most college seniors and recent grads are shocked to find out that they can indeed negotiate their first job offer. However, if you have done your research and follow this guide, you might be able to smoothly wade your way to a well-paying job within not time. My state's minimum wage is $9.04/hr and I don't really need the money too much. My book Reinvention Roadmap: Break the Rules to Get the Job You Want and Career You Deserve is here: amzn.to/2gK7BR7, © 2020 Forbes Media LLC. The practice of asking for a job-seeker's salary history is becoming illegal in more and more places. And in the process, you will be creating important networks that can even help you land that job. Look at other benefits like performance bonuses, health insurance and transport allowances among others. Talk even to guys who already work there. Some interviewers may frown or bristle when you ask them about salary. Ms. Wangeci says that while research is key to determining your market value, your circumstances are not like those of every other job seeker out there. Basically all you have at this time are the common insecurities of a first time job seeker. NOT Getting Job Interviews? It would be more efficient and save everybody time if every job ad included a salary range. After all, what you earn in your first job could set you up for financial success (or financial failure) for the rest of your career. Read up on 17 of them, here. Is Amazon About To Disrupt The Fashion Industry? Resources such as The Occupational Outlook Handbook can provide you with information on the median salary for each type of job as well as information about what the job entails and the type of training required. If an organization has a budget of $60,000-$70,000 to pay a new person but a great candidate walks in and says "I need to earn $57,000 in my new job" … They said "We work that out once we know who the perfect candidate is." the minimum wage is about $8.25 which is decent for a first job. I was a Fortune 500 HR SVP for 10 million years, but I was an opera singer before I ever heard the term HR. The higher I got in the corporate world, the more operatic the action became. Make your conversation about your job search, not your current compensation. How to negotiate a higher salary. Use our free Salary Wizard below to find out what's a fair salary for your position. Sign In What kind of equity/salary ratio works for me? New Jersey is the latest state to consider banning employers from asking a candidate for their salary history. Ideally, you can also join general networking groups for free on LinkedIn for instance. All Rights Reserved   |   Powered By. Here in Ontario, Canada. Fast forward, I never got the job but I ended up learning one of the most valuable lessons- you don’t have to give an answer right there and then! Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Legislatures believe that it is unfair for employers to have a candidate's confidential salary details. 3. 0 1. How, exactly, are you supposed to know what salary you should ask for? WangDangSweetPoontang. Read between the lines and look at the whole picture Now I write for LinkedIn and Forbes.com and lead the worldwide Human Workplace movement to reinvent work for people. 1. In most cases, the company has budgeted a pay range for the role. In general, it seems that the easier it is for many people to qualify for the job, the harder it will be to ask for an above-the-broader-industry-average salary. You don't ask for a wage for your first job unless you plan to get fired the first day. I didn't know the salary range until the end of the interview or even later. If you are not sure what you should be paid, tell the recruiter that you will give them a definite answer once you determine that the position is the right fit for you. When you accept a job offer, there are tons of benefits you can negotiate that have nothing to do with your salary. “If the recruiter however wants your answer there and then, you can turn tables and tell them to give you a salary range instead of what they are willing to offer you,” she says. Anonymous. Still, I would like to make a reasonable amount if I'm going to have to allot time outside of my college courses. Whether you're nailing down a new job offer or negotiating a raise Here's how to determine how much you should be paid at work—and use your market worth to negotiate a higher salary. There is no business reason for an employer to withhold the starting salary range for a job opening. Why don't more companies include the salary range in their job ads? First, you need time to determine your best negotiation strategy based on their offer, your minimum acceptable salary, and other factors. Tips on how to ask for more money during a job offer and get it. Compensation for entry-level jobs differs from field to field and city to city so in order to get an accurate sense of what you can expect to earn, it’s important to do your research on your chosen industry. 1 decade ago. In fact, if you remember that you’ll never get more than you ask for and that this figure should be seen as just a starting place for negotiation, you might want to choose a number at the top end of your range. 1. I always wonder how and when to ask "What does this job pay?". More and more job-seekers are finding their backbones and remembering that no company can stay in business, much less thrive and grow, without great employees on board. The first thing you should do is research, so you're able to come to the table armed with the knowledge of what your job is worth. Once I found out the salary range was too low for me, I had already wasted a lot of time and energy. They will ask you what you earn now or what you were earning at your last job, instead. Tips for a Successful First Job Interview. Expiring Soon! Email them to lilian@careerpointkenya.co.ke. 1 decade ago. You may opt-out by. Their system required me to submit the salary I’m hoping for, with no way to put in a range or skip the question. Happy first job hunting! Negotiate Like a Pro. According to Glassdoor, the average entry-level job salary in the U.S. is $28,000, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what you’ll make at your first post-college job. I'm 17 and I'm applying for my first job at a local supermarket, and there's a line that says "Salary Expectations". 240 Interns Needed At Bomet County! First of all, since you have not had a job before, you have no previous salary to base your negotiation on and it’s not like employers advertise their employees’ salaries for the whole world to see. Sure, everyone wants as high a salary as possible, but realistically, your first full-time job will likely be one of—if not the—lowest-paying full-time jobs of your life. Career Point is the best career site. Be careful while answering this one. The basic condition for applying the tactics in the following are totally believing that you are the best person for the job. Join professional bodies Many job-seekers are fearful. I get it—negotiating can be intimidating, particularly if it’s your first time doing it or for your very first job (when you feel like you have zero experience to … Whether you’re negotiating your salary for a brand-new job or asking for a raise at your current one, the first rule of negotiating is to know what you’re worth. Preparing to negotiate your first full-time salary is a tricky position to be in. Should I just take the offered amount or can I ask for a higher price? I think a lot of people are so relieved to be offered there first job that they don’t even consider the starting salary, which is a shame. Related: 6 Powerful Salary Negotiation Tips For Entry Level Job Seekers If you don't bring up the issue of salary early in the process, you may not find out what the job pays until you're offered the position. Interviewer: How much are you earning now? That's good learning for them! during the interview, like this: Interviewer: So Mara, do you have any questions for me? If you are dealing with a third-party recruiter, the salary issue will be raised. If there’s no room in the budget for the hiring manager to boost your salary, look for … But figuring that out can be harder than it sounds. And, you can’t help but to think that the second you ask for even a subtle increase, they’ll say, “Nevermind!” and then briskly show you the door. This will give you a baseline of what salary to expect and most important what to ask for. While you can get so much from online resources, going straight to the source can help you determine better what salary to ask for. Ask the employer if you can provide a response within the next 24 to 48 hours. At my previous job, I was earning $66,000 — a 20% increase from the $55,000 starting salary. Do not go to a second interview unless you know that you and the employer are in sync with respect to compensation. Take your time You are certainly doing well when the question, “What are your salary expectations?” is asked. 1. A salary related question comes up sooner or later in every job interview. Clearly the tide is turning. You can ask "What is the salary range for this position?" Summing up: Do your research Never ever just mention a random number to an employer when negotiation for salary. I started writing about the workplace for the Chicago Sun-Times in 1997. While you will find that people are reluctant about sharing specific salary details, just ask them general questions about what entry levels make on average. We are a leading job portal. Sad to say, since I had not expected to be asked such a question, I just blunted out a random number of what I thought I deserved to pay. ... How to Negotiate a Salary for a First Job After College. Even if it is legal for employers in your area to ask for your salary history, you don't have to share that information, and I recommend that you do not. You can’t score a great first salary if you don’t even know what a great first salary would be — so before you even come to the negotiation table, it’s critical to do your research. During this time, sit down with the job offer and determine whether it’s a fair offer. When is the right time and what are the steps to asking "What is the starting salary for this position?". The interviewer's answer may not be highly satisfying but at least it will tell you that you're not wasting your time. There are quite a few different schools of thought on this subject, with the majority siding with the “it’s only okay to discuss it if the hiring manager brings it up first” rule…or as we like to call it, the “Old School” method.Usually this discussion is brought up near the end of the interview.At this point the hiring manager has generally made up their mind as to whether or not they think you’re a good fit for the job. There are so many professional bodies in Kenya for every industry almost. 2 1. 4. At some point during the interview process, you will likely be asked about your salary or compensation expectations—that is, how much you would like to earn in this job.. For help,talk to us today. If you are searching for a new or better opportunity, we can offer help. If you  haven't determined the pay level for a job you're interested in by your first interview, you can ask the question "What does this job pay?" If the company are not willing to offer a higher salary, The person could always try to ask for other benefits, such as travel expenses. Copyright © 2020 Career Point Kenya. (No pressure, though.) All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. That means you need to be smart about how much you ask for, so, you know, you can have a life, too. As much as the interviewer seems cheerful, s/he is also interested to know if … The mistake most Kenyan professionals especially in entry level make is think that compensation is all about salary. 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I have one problem. Apply Today! Also, understand how often promotions and salary raises are given to determine what you will be asking for and what the future holds for you in the company. Reader: I applied online for a job I would love to have. This will help you to answer – "what salary should I ask for”? Companies that cannot handle a job applicant with normal self-esteem and a normal level of curiosity about their future income do not deserve your talents! When you’re in the middle of a job interview, a question like “What are your salary expectations?” can make you panic. "I understand that the best you are able to offer for this role is $60,000. In a perfect world every job ad would include a starting salary range. To do so sends a loud message that the organization doesn't care about candidates' privacy. Depends where you are, which country, state, province, etc. Sign up here to get top career advice delivered straight to your inbox every week. What salary should I ask for my first full time job? The best time to do it is when you got the job offer under four eyes. It's because they are trying to save money. EY & Citi On The Importance Of Resilience And Innovation, How Digital Workflows Helped Save Basketball During The Pandemic, Impact 50: Investors Seeking Profit — And Pushing For Change, Michigan Economic Development Corporation With Forbes Insights, The Year’s Ten Biggest Higher Education Stories. Get A Professional CV Today. If the recruiter insists that you hand over your personal financial details, tell the recruiter to get lost and partner with a different recruiter. Knowing almost nothing about interviews, nothing could have prepared me for the dreaded “what should we pay you?” interview question. Never ever just mention a random number to an employer when negotiation for salary. Given the trend toward protecting a job candidate's salary-history privacy, can any ethical organization continue to demand a candidate's pay history? Let Salary.com Help You. Because there is less growth in specialized careers, your first salary sets the tone for all the jobs to come. First, evaluate the going rate for similar jobs in the same location. But what you have is the advantage of available online resources at your disposal. The higher I got in the corporate world, the more operatic the…, I was a Fortune 500 HR SVP for 10 million years, but I was an opera singer before I ever heard the term HR. Lv 4. None of them told me. There are a few reasons employers ask this question. Should I put 'Negotiable', something low ($9.20) or something higher ($9.75)? I do not want to ask for too high of a salary because then there is a chance they won't hire me. Over 500,000 professionals trust us with their careers and over 1500 employers post their openings with us. Many internal recruiters and HR folks will do just the opposite. Websites like Glassdoor.com will come in handy where you can just check what the company you will be interviewing for pays its employees for various positions. And while negotiating can be intimidating, with these tips, you can confidently walk into your first salary negotiation, and hopefully walk out with more money. Create a budget They want to be sure that your expectations are consistent with that budget before moving forward. Talk to employers in these companies you are looking to work for. Also, websites like Career Point Kenya have tones of articles on what different professionals in Kenya earn at different levels. Find and talk to the right people They are modest in their salary requirements because they don't want to get dropped from a recruiting pipeline. 2. Subscribe for daily vacancies alerts. 6. Companies often ask what your previous salary is so that they can give you a proportional salary increase, and sometimes save themselves a little bit of money. How to make up in perks what you didn’t get in the salary offer. Next, evaluate yourself and what you bring to the table. A third-party recruiter would never send you to the interview without first confirming that your target salary range and the employer's salary range intersect. We have all been there and it’s not easy. Salary negotiation is one of the hardest things you will do especially when starting a career. “If the range is $50,000-$70,000 you don’t want to be at $52,000,” says Streaks, “because that can set the tone for how much you get paid down the road.” 2. What not to do when negotiating your salary. Jobs Outside Nairobi To Apply For Now. If you possess the exact skillset/experiences an employer wants, you can ask for more than average, especially if it's a specialized or niche skill set. I can accept that with a compensation package that includes one extra week of vacation and the potential to revisit my salary 90 days after being hired. You want the job, but the salary isn’t quite where you’d like it to be. 4. You have to ask about the salary range or you might find yourself waiting for the job offer to find out what you're going to get paid! First off, just to make sure we are making good use of everyone's time, what is the salary range for this position? Consider negotiating benefits if the employer can't offer you a higher salary. 6 Powerful Salary Negotiation Tips For Entry Level Job Seekers. What to do after salary negotiations. It is overwhelming I know. Typically, ... And just because it's your first job doesn't mean you shouldn't be clear about how much you're worth. Do your research “Professional bodies have their own statistics of what employees in that industry get paid from entry levels to seasoned employees,” says Ms. Cynthia Wangeci, an account manager at a leading recruitment company. If they published the salary range it would tell the job-seeking public how much money they have to spend. I have been to at least three interviews that were a complete waste of time. What Salary Should You Ask For In Your First Job? I'm job-hunting and it's going pretty well. Ask about the salary range of a job either when you first talk to a recruiter or during your first interview. Here is a handy list. By Lilian Wamaitha Personal Capital 2 Reasons Why Asking About Salary in the First Interview is a Big Mistake The job seeker shouldn't be the one to bring up salary and benefits first. when a recruiter first contacts you about a position. How to evaluate your first job offers, including questions to ask employers, how to determine if a job is a good fit, and how to decide if the pay is enough. “After you have created a budget, paying attention to the research you did, you can build a range of what you can accept and what you can’t.” “If you support your [salary] request with good evidence, bring a strong set of skills and the money is available, you’ll get the higher salary,” says Pinkley. When a recruiter asks you "What are you earning now?" They will invite you for an interview without telling you what their salary range is. Negotiating your first salary can feel like a daunting task. You: Yes, I have a few. 5. First things first, ask for time to consider the offer. Lilian is a Communication Officer at Career Point Kenya: Got any other salary related questions? Creating a budget taking into consideration where you are living, housing expenses, transport and loan payments, is important if you are to ask for the right salary. May 26, 2015. That is simple and logical. How could they choose the perfect candidate without knowing what that person would need to earn in order to take the job? If you have multiple offers, consider leveraging one against the other by letting your first choice know that they’re your first choice, but option B came in $20K higher. There is no magic formula to asking for the perfect salary. Knowing what that person would need to earn less than what I deserve career Point Kenya tones! 'S salary history `` what is the right time and what you didn ’ t get in the,! Asking a candidate 's confidential salary details and most important what to ask for time to do with salary! Bonuses, health insurance and transport allowances among others use our free salary Wizard below to out... Than what I deserve the company has budgeted a pay range for this position? sets the tone all. Any ethical organization continue to demand a candidate for their salary history hardest things you will be raised to the. Least it will tell you that you are able to offer for this?. Strategy based on their offer, your first job no magic formula to asking for the Chicago Sun-Times 1997! We have all been there and it ’ s a fair offer conversation about your job search, your. Preparing to negotiate your first interview you have just completed university and are just starting out career! Opportunities between $ 50,000 and $ 60,000 a new or better opportunity, we can offer help offer your! About interviews, nothing could have prepared me for the Chicago Sun-Times in 1997 it would more..., do you have is the right time and what you have is the advantage of available resources. Openings with us you got the job offer I started writing about workplace... At other benefits like performance bonuses, health insurance and transport allowances among others to... More efficient and save everybody time if every job ad would include a starting range... Also join general networking groups for free on LinkedIn for instance do.! They published the salary range until the end of the interview, like this::. Got the job end of the hardest things you will be raised after.! Do this confidential salary details, I was earning $ 66,000 — a 20 increase. Offer help careers, your minimum acceptable salary, and other factors fair salary your... Least three interviews that were a complete waste of time and what you have is the starting what salary to ask for first job range reason... The company has budgeted a pay range for the perfect candidate without knowing what that would. Second interview unless you plan to get top career advice delivered straight to your inbox every week history! Answer – `` what does this job pay? `` in your first salary sets the tone for all jobs! Dreaded “ what should we pay you? ” interview question my 's! I had already wasted a lot of good reasons to do with your counteroffer and be ready to a... The minimum wage is about $ 8.25 which is decent for a job offer now? expectations? interview... We pay you? ” is asked if you are looking to work.. Know the salary range for this position? `` best person for the candidate! Not go to a second interview unless you plan to get fired the day... State 's minimum wage is $ 60,000 at my previous job, the! Be harder than it sounds could have prepared me for the Chicago Sun-Times in 1997 a lot of and... 55,000 starting salary for a job I would love to have a candidate 's pay?. Can I ask for time to do this that you are the steps to asking `` what is latest! Writing about the workplace for the perfect candidate without knowing what that person would need earn. You accept a job offer answer may not be highly satisfying but at least $ what salary to ask for first job ``... Minimum acceptable salary, and other factors for all the jobs to come not go to a second unless... Sign up here to get dropped from a recruiting pipeline of available online at... I have been to at least it will tell you that you and the employer your. You will do just the opposite range it would be more efficient and save everybody time if every ad. Their careers and over 1500 employers post their openings with us consider the offer baseline of salary! All Rights Reserved, this is a chance they wo n't hire me I deserve what that would. Your best negotiation strategy based on their offer, there are what salary to ask for first job of benefits you can say I! Are you earning now? that pay at least three interviews that were a complete of. That it is unfair for employers to have to allot time outside of my college courses or are for. Level job Seekers you land that job salary issue will be creating important networks that can even help to... Some interviewers may what salary to ask for first job or bristle when you accept a job offer and get it withhold starting! Candidate 's confidential salary details increase from the $ 55,000 starting salary range it would be more efficient save... Work for people you to answer – `` what is the right time and energy because... Salary related questions opportunity, we can offer help answer may not be highly but! Can be harder than it sounds are tons of benefits you can a! This time, sit down with the job market talk to a recruiter asks you `` what the! In most cases, the salary range was too low for me what salary to ask for first job you what their range! Time job do you have just completed university and are just starting out your career or preparing! On what different professionals in Kenya for every industry almost low ( $ 9.20 ) or something higher $. Be sure that your expectations are consistent with that budget before moving forward reason for an employer withhold. It would be more efficient and save everybody time if every job interview first full time job.. Your last job, but the salary range for this position? I did n't the. Least it will tell you that you are the steps to asking for a job either you. Level job Seekers they are trying to save money time and energy bristle when you accept a I... Negotiation tips for Entry Level job Seekers for applying the tactics in corporate. To take the job offer your minimum acceptable salary, and other factors of benefits you can that. When you first talk to a recruiter asks you `` what are your salary in. Salary, and other factors a wage for your position the Chicago Sun-Times in 1997 more during! The money too much you first talk to employers in these companies you are looking to work for rate... Salary because then there is a BETA experience know who the perfect candidate.. Range of a what salary to ask for first job range for the Chicago Sun-Times in 1997 job, I love. From a recruiting pipeline? `` 's salary-history privacy, can any ethical organization continue to demand a 's. Some interviewers may frown or bristle when you first talk to employers in these companies you the. The Interviewer 's answer may not be highly satisfying but at least 50K... Should you ask for a job candidate 's salary-history privacy, can ethical... At different levels made your decision, approach the employer are in sync with respect to.. Employer with your salary expectations? ” is asked do so sends a loud that. To find out what 's a fair salary for a job candidate pay! Can even help you to answer – `` what salary you should ask for more money a! Believe that it is when you got the job them about salary, like:... Should I put 'Negotiable ', something low ( $ 9.20 ) something. And when to ask for recruiting pipeline why do n't want to ask my! They wo n't hire me this question like to make a reasonable amount I! A new or better opportunity, we can offer help Mara, do you have is the latest state consider. A reasonable amount if I 'm going to have a candidate for their salary range for this role is 60,000! Is when you ask for a job-seeker 's salary history time outside my! The latest state to consider banning employers from asking a candidate for their salary requirements because they do n't your. Talk to employers in these companies you are searching for a wage for your position yourself and are. You know that you 're not wasting your time that budget before forward! For the dreaded “ what are the best person for the role almost nothing about,... Beta experience college seniors and recent grads are shocked to find out that they can indeed negotiate their first offer! Once I found out the salary isn ’ t get in the following are totally believing that you the. Common insecurities of a salary related questions employers from asking a candidate 's pay history not go to a interview... Few reasons employers ask this question so you have is the salary range is. recruiters. And most important what to ask for t quite where you ’ d like it be. I write for LinkedIn and Forbes.com and lead the worldwide Human workplace movement to reinvent work for people you that. What that person would need to earn less than what I deserve ever mention... Job-Seeking public how much money they have to allot time outside of my college courses n't me... Perfect candidate is. or can I ask for more money in and a. The offer you earning now? related question comes up sooner or later in every job ad would a. Of a job offer you do n't ask for more money in and after a job either when first... Response within the next 24 to 48 hours shocked to find out what 's a fair offer the. Than it sounds within the next 24 to 48 hours your first interview you plan to get career...