College Grad Salary NegotiationHi, I will be graduating in May and I had an interview with Lockheed Martin on Thursday. I received a call from the first manager that I spoke with and he and the other managers agreed I was a good fit and that unless something unforeseen happened I would be receiving an offer from the recruiting office next week. I am very excited but I don't know how to handle the salary negotiation. I've asked around and most people suggest to reject the first offer because it will be to low and to make a counter offer. Would somebody please explain the steps to me. If I give a counter offer do and they reject the offer can I still take the original offer or am I out of luck? Will I be looked down upon if I don't accept the first offer and ask for more? What kinds of things can I ask for in the counter offer and how much of an increase is reasonable? I would like to look at several sources for average college grad starting salaries, do you have any sites that give this information?
I doubt you're going to be able to negotiate anything. Entry-level positions usually tell you what the rate will be, you then take it or leave it. In order to negotiate, you have to have something to do that with. Someone just starting out just does not. And offers go away every day because someone pushes for more. That is always a gamble. So, if you want the job take it! With the possible exception of some sales jobs (and I wouldn't bet on those either), no one thinks less of you if you don't negotiate. They think- I made the guy a good offer and he took it. Tess What you're going to be offered is an entry-level job. Entry-level jobs are seldom, if ever, negotiable. Whoever told you to reject the first offer simply doesn't know what they're talking about. Reject that first offer and you may find yourself with no offer at all. Entry-level jobs are great opportunities to "earn while you learn." If you get this offer, take it and learn as much as you can as quickly as you can and demonstrate, based on your overall job performance, that you're worth more over time. Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert | |
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