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I have a similar question but I didn't want to make a new thread. I just completed my bachleor's degree, I had commencement 2 days ago. I've been seding out applications and so far I only have one bite. I've met with them once and have a follow up interview in a week. This interview is where we are going to discuss things like salary and benefits. If they don't offer me what I want do you think I should pass on the job or just take it because of the economy?

I have a telecommunications degree and the place I've been interviewing with is a Public Relations firm.

That's always a tough call. I know nothing about your field, so I can't give specific advice.

I just wanted to say this: If this is the type of job that is good for your career and you are not in high demand right now because you lack experience, I would say take their offer. You might be able to negotiate up a little, or use another offer as leverage if you have another legit offer. But if this is your only offer, you should seriously consider taking it. The job market is for shit right now, and I assume you need experience on your resume for your future career. Sometimes experience is as valuable as cash - it just takes longer to cash in.

Another option is to take the job, then keep looking for something better. Once you secure a better offer, either take that, or use it as leverage in your other position if you are happy there.

On the other hand, if you have a degree that is in high demand right now, and you feel you can do better (REALISTICALLY), then wait for a better opportunity.

Either way, this is an employer's market right now. So many people are competing for work out there that I would think any offer at secure employment would be tough to pass up. Employers are aware of this and are acting accordingly.
 
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I have a similar question but I didn't want to make a new thread. I just completed my bachleor's degree, I had commencement 2 days ago. I've been seding out applications and so far I only have one bite. I've met with them once and have a follow up interview in a week. This interview is where we are going to discuss things like salary and benefits. If they don't offer me what I want do you think I should pass on the job or just take it because of the economy?

Tough to say, there's so many variables. How far off are they? Is it a strong company? Is it some place you could see working for 10-20 years from now?
Unless they come in way low, I'd really suggest taking it. 70% of your target salary and benefits is better than 0% of your target salary and benefits, which is what you'll be earning if you pass on the job. What's the harm in taking the job at this point? You can always keep on looking. If something better comes along then you move on. Worse case is you are gaining experience and building a resume. Not to mention you can always go to your boss in 3-6 months and ask for a raise. Companies are starting with low offers at this point because they can. They want to see who is committed so they dont have a revolving door at the entry level. Once they see you are committed they'll move up your compensation.
 
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I have a similar question but I didn't want to make a new thread. I just completed my bachleor's degree, I had commencement 2 days ago. I've been seding out applications and so far I only have one bite. I've met with them once and have a follow up interview in a week. This interview is where we are going to discuss things like salary and benefits. If they don't offer me what I want do you think I should pass on the job or just take it because of the economy?

I have a telecommunications degree and the place I've been interviewing with is a Public Relations firm.
Just a question to you and the other recent college grads. Did you guys wait until you graduated to send out resumes and applications?

I only ask since I see people do this, while most of my friends (and myself) had jobs before our final semester at college.
 
Just a question to you and the other recent college grads. Did you guys wait until you graduated to send out resumes and applications?

I only ask since I see people do this, while most of my friends (and myself) had jobs before our final semester at college.

No I didn't wait, I had my first interview with this place about a month ago, I had to wait for my follow up because the guy I'm supposed to meet with was out of town. My buddy's dad works for a Human Resources firm, that's part of why I would consider passing. He could probably find me a job. I have some other connections too. I have no doubt that I can find another job later on, just right now this is the only one I have on the line.
 
My buddy's dad works for a Human Resources firm, that's part of why I would consider passing. He could probably find me a job. I have some other connections too. I have no doubt that I can find another job later on, just right now this is the only one I have on the line.

If your assessment is accurate, then it comes down to your financial situation. How long is "later on" and do you have enough cash if/when it takes longer than you thought?

I'm sure your buddy's dad will be the first to tell you there are no guarantees in this economy....the rules have changed. My advice still would be to take it. Again, you can always switch if you find a better opportunity.
 
If your assessment is accurate, then it comes down to your financial situation. How long is "later on" and do you have enough cash if/when it takes longer than you thought?

I'm sure your buddy's dad will be the first to tell you there are no guarantees in this economy....the rules have changed. My advice still would be to take it. Again, you can always switch if you find a better opportunity.

I probably will, right now this is all hypothetical. For all I know they will offer me great salary and benefits. They aren't a huge firm, but they've won awards for the work they have done. So at least I know I can learn from people who are good at what they do.
 
Does anybody have any tips on how to negotiate salary? I've never done this before and I'm not sure how to go a out doing it. I don't want to end up lowballing myself asking for a salary lower than what they were willing to offer. I also don't want to piss them off or scare them away by asking for too much.
 
Does anybody have any tips on how to negotiate salary? I've never done this before and I'm not sure how to go a out doing it. I don't want to end up lowballing myself asking for a salary lower than what they were willing to offer. I also don't want to piss them off or scare them away by asking for too much.

It really depends on how much leverage you have. How badly do they need you vs. how badly you need them? As someone just starting out in the workforce, you may not have much leverage. That is typically the case.

But you should go in prepared. Research the median pay for the position that you are applying for. If you can, talk to people who have the same or similar positions/experiences - and/or read some blogs.

Ask about advancement opportunities and what they pay. How often do they promote from within? How do they work with their employees to advance their career path? How long does it typically take to get to the next level, and what does that pay?

If you don't have the leverage, you'll have to take what you can get. Leverage usually comes because your skill set is in such demand that others are willing to pay more for it than your current employer. Is this the case? Usually, you have to build a work history in order to build your leverage, but I don't know about your specific field.

They also might offer other forms of compensation other than base salary that they consider something to set them apart from other employers - more vacation pay, better or cheaper insurance, bonus pay, flexible hours, etc. They might offer scheduled pay increases over time as long as you hit performance metrics. You'll have to consider these things as well. Everything has a cost.
 
I don't mind going the temp agency rout to get my foot in the door. Like I said, I am just worred for the fact that it is a temp job. What if it doesn't work out? How am I going to pay rent and provide for my wife after we get married.

My 2 cents... A "full-time" permanent job isn't really much more secure than a temp position. At least if you know the time schedule of a temp position, you can plan ahead and line something else to start when one position concludes. I know from experience that there is nothing permanent about a "permanent" position. You can come to work one morning and be told you've been downsized with no notice. I would follow the advice of those who mentioned the temp agencies.
 
Does anybody have any tips on how to negotiate salary? I've never done this before and I'm not sure how to go a out doing it. I don't want to end up lowballing myself asking for a salary lower than what they were willing to offer. I also don't want to piss them off or scare them away by asking for too much.

I'd feel out the personalities of the people offering you the job. A great deal of people either expect you to ask for more or respect you if you ask for more. Don't ever be afraid of showing that you value your own work.

Just don't be surprised if you get shot down. You have to ask yourself, "If I'm working in this job 6 months from now and I find out the guy in the cubicle next to me with the same degree and same experience is making 42k and I'm making 38k...will I regret not asking for more?"

If the answer is yes...go for it brotha! If it doesn't bother you, then just take the job if it's offered.
 
I'd feel out the personalities of the people offering you the job. A great deal of people either expect you to ask for more or respect you if you ask for more. Don't ever be afraid of showing that you value your own work.

Just don't be surprised if you get shot down. You have to ask yourself, "If I'm working in this job 6 months from now and I find out the guy in the cubicle next to me with the same degree and same experience is making 42k and I'm making 38k...will I regret not asking for more?"

If the answer is yes...go for it brotha! If it doesn't bother you, then just take the job if it's offered.

Interesting that you picked those numbers, after some research I think I am going to ask for 42k.
 
Interesting that you picked those numbers, after some research I think I am going to ask for 42k.

Good attitude. Here's the most likely answers you'll hear:

(1) No. We're set at $___ because we've hired two members of your team at that salary in the past year
(2) No. But we'll meet you in the middle.
(3) Sure. (crappy businessman :chuckles:)
 
hey jigio, are there any temp agencies that i should avoid? I have worked with Express professionals before. I just wonder how many of these temp agencies would be willing to work around my job I have at the law-firm. I have to work 20 hours so I can work 2 10 hour shifts Mon & Tuesday.

Thanks for the help
 
I have a similar question but I didn't want to make a new thread. I just completed my bachleor's degree, I had commencement 2 days ago. I've been seding out applications and so far I only have one bite. I've met with them once and have a follow up interview in a week. This interview is where we are going to discuss things like salary and benefits. If they don't offer me what I want do you think I should pass on the job or just take it because of the economy?

I have a telecommunications degree and the place I've been interviewing with is a Public Relations firm.

This is going to be a little long...sorry about that. This is my experience and you asked for the advice so deal with it :chuckles:

Like others have said, I'm not sure what your situation is but it sounds like you don't have the feeling that you have to take this job. That said, if you don't have anything else lined up I say go for it.

I'm a (sort of) recent college grad...I graduated from Kent in 2008 with a degree in Economics and I did not have a job upon graduation. I did go on some interviews and even had a second interview in Chicago that I didn't end up getting. A few weeks before graduation one of the student organizations I was in brought in a financial advising firm for a presentation, I liked what they had to say and sent in my resume. I heard back from them right after graduation and didn't have anything else lined up so I went on a couple interviews and got hired in - started in August. It was a disaster for me - just a terrible fit. I left just 9 weeks later but I learned a lot in my time there including how to work in an office, how to get used to the work routine and most importantly, I learned what I did not want to do. This is nothing against anyone who sells things for a living...I just really sucked at it and really didn't like it. But that experience helped me to figure out what I liked and what I wanted to do in my career going forward. I spent the next few weeks searching for jobs - I sent resume's out on Monster, Career Builder and I google searched jobs and submitted my resume directly to company websites. I also made sure I checked the Kent State online career board every day right when I woke up so could submit my resume as soon as possible to any new job opening that interested me. That's what led to my current job (I'm a product analyst for an auto insurance company) and I love it. I was hired about a month after I quit financial advising and started about a month after that (Jan 2009). I didn't negotiate salary but I was happy with their offer. Since then I've gained a ton of professional experience, improved my technical skill set immensely, been promoted and have had the opportunity to do some traveling for work.

Long story short - don't talk yourself out of taking a job because you're afraid to fail - especially a first job...I'm not saying that's the case with you but I'm just saying you never know. Things really do usually work out for the best. And had I never had taken the financial advising job, I probably wouldn't have been looking on the career board that day and I would not be where I am today.

A couple other pieces of random job searching/interviewing advice:
-Interview them as much or more than they interview you. What I mean is you need to make sure this job is a good fit for you just like it's their job to make sure you are a good fit for them.
-Be confident if you get a second interview because that typically means they believe you are technically qualified for that position and they are just trying to see if you are personally a good fit.
-At a job fair when I was still in college, I was talking to the rep from Nat City or Huntington (some bank but I don't remember which one) and he gave me some advice that if you find a job you really like posted somewhere, call that company's HR dept and ask them about the position. Ask them to give you a little more detail on the job description as I'm sure you've noticed they are usually pretty vague and if you're lucky, they may even put you through to the hiring manager. It won't guarantee you a job or even an interview, but he said it improves your odds of getting an interview by about 30 to 40%.
-Contact your school's career placement department, check their career boards and keep in touch with the department you graduated from as they usually post career opportunities as well.
-Don't be afraid to take an internship for the summer if you can find one. That will give you great experience and a really good foot in the door at a company.

Oh and for anyone looking for jobs in NE Ohio, here is a pretty good online posting that usually has jobs listed about a week before they make it to Monster/Career Builder/etc.
http://www.careerboard.com/

Good luck man.
 
Jon,

I recommend CareerBuilder and Monster for looking for a career. Those are what I've used in the past. There are also more specific job boards and career assistance boards like allhealthcare.com. SnagAJob is good for exactly what it sounds like, finding a job. They have a ton of hourly job postings.

The temp-to-hire also isn't a bad gig. It might suck a little at first because you will likely make less than you are currently and receive no benefits, but keep in mind this is obviously focused on the long-term. I am a project manager in St. Louis and my project team consists entirely of temporary labor. While they don't make a lot of money in their temp positions I am currently working on getting two of my temps full time jobs within the company. They've been working with me since last September and if they do get FTE offers I wouldn't expect them to receive them until June. So they had to put in a decent amount of time, but in the long run it will pay large dividends for them.

I definitely recommend completing your degree. Without it I'm afraid your resume will get tossed in the no-consideration pile immediately because most positions require a degree. Getting work experience is great for advancement, but you will be creating a ceiling for yourself if you do not finish your degree. Also, if you have any potential connections USE THEM. Friends, family friends, parents, relatives, or professors. If there's anyone willing to help don't be ashamed to be ask for it. A good recommendation coming from a trusted source goes a loooong way with hiring managers.

If you want any help I'd be willing to review your resume.
 

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