(no subject)

[bzarcher]

Hmm. Idle thoughts, ye people in the 'real' workplace.

As I embark on hunting for a real job, finally, what /is/ a reasonable salary for me to request? Am I aiming too high with ~$30,000 a year, +/- $1000? Too low? About right?

I'm quite mindful that this will be my first real full time job that isn't splitting my salary between benefits such as room, board, and food.

Comments

[gigerlicious.livejournal.com]

I can't see anyone living under 30k, as far as I'm concerned under that is poverty. A job that expects you to work for less than that is insulting your character. However, I find it curious that you are going to request a salary. If they're asking how much you want in the /application/, look out, it's likely they're going to try and swindle you. If you're just going to out and demand a salary in the interview, I emphasize caution - I find it is best to avoid salary talk until after the job offer has been made - a shrewd counter-offer isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially if they want you then and now.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

They're not, actually. But each posting had a 'range' for maximum and minimum salaries on each post. (One capped out at $37k, the other at 35.) I only intend to suggest a Salary if the question is raised. I simply want to make sure I ask for something reasonable.

...hey. Wait. Aren't you supposed to be in marial bliss? Shoo! Go have more fun.

[lanthinel.livejournal.com]

It'd take some digging around through the web, but you could check out the Dept. of Labor's indices of what different jobs are worth. My friend Chance did that a while back while looking at the chemical industry, and what was generally required (in terms of degree) for the cooler jobs that weren't just "lab tech."

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Very cool. Looked around it, and found I'm actually asking a little low. OTOH, I think that's not a bad thing, since I'm not expecting heavy money on the first one, either.

My lousy two cents..

[muttnik.livejournal.com]

How much you'll get really depends on the city you're in, and the organization. If you're working in non-profits (like me), you're not likely to get all that much. But even there there's variation. A small clinic won't pay nearly as much for the same job as Northwestern Hospital. I'm pretty sure the same thing goes in the for-profit world - it all depends on where you want to go.

Also, from my very minimal experience, I don't think people are asking your salary range to screw you over, although it's good to know roundabouts of what the job SHOULD pay. Some of them ask your salary requirements to see if you'd be expecting more than the job would pay. If you said you needed 40k, and the job would pay 30, they may decide you wouldn't be happy there. Or, if the job description required more skills/job experience than you have, asking for a number lower than what they were considering might make you a more desirable candidate despite your not exactly fitting their job description.

And just so y'all know, lots of people manage the cost of living in Chicago on less than $30,000 and would really object to being called poor. But I digress.

Re: My lousy two cents..

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

You both come from different viewpoints, which I value. :D

With any luck, things will work out on this. Certainly they seem quite willing to pay what I'd deem an acceptible salary, and cost of living in Columbus isn't /too/ terrible, especially if I got some roommates to help with the bills.

Re: My lousy two cents..

[gigerlicious.livejournal.com]

No offense meant, but as I buffered in my original statement, this is from my experience. Less than 30k is really stretching it for a primary income maker. There's little chance under that to have any upward mobility, retirement fund, real estate purchases or in some cases, even a savings account. A job that pays less than that is also very unlikely to offer anything in the way of health insurance or other fringe benefits. Also, in Matt's case, he's a competent college graduate. He's wasting his opportunity if he's settling (not taking) for a lower salary.

Every American should be afforded the pursuit of happiness, not enough money for minimal nutritional subsistence and basic living costs.

May your excellence shine upon me!

Re: My lousy two cents..

[muttnik.livejournal.com]

Ah yes. Your points are many, and excellent. I was thinking that for a starting job, 30k is not bad at all. It can pay for a studio apartment, and other necessities and allow some savings/repayment of college loans etc. But you're right that it doesn't allow much foward growth. A 30k/year job is not something to hang onto for your entire life. If it will give you the experience to go onto bigger and better things, then it's definitely worth the time now.

As for college graduates deserving better paying jobs, there's a whole army of us looking for work in an economy without anything to give us. Matt's just lucky he's so brilliant. He shouldn't have any trouble at all. ;)

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

I totally groove on the flattery, but like you said, the economy is shit. :D I'll probably have trouble, and I'll probably have to fight like a motherfucker.

But, I won't lose. Oh, no. I won't lose.

Re: My lousy two cents..

[gigerlicious.livejournal.com]

I disagree. Matt is not brilliant because he is lucky. He /chooses/ to be brilliant, therefore he shall be excellent.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

I continue to note this is praise I may not really deserve, but thanks. :D Though I suspect this disagreement may lie as much on your differing worldviews as anything.