I need to figure out my payscale

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IHAVEAQUESTION

Golden Member
Nov 30, 2005
1,061
3
81
The range varies too much especially you are expected to work long/off-peak hours.

Ask the employer for the range he is offering. I do that even when it's a headhunter calling me.
 

swanysto

Golden Member
May 8, 2005
1,949
9
81
If I were you, I would give a range from 60k-70k and hope you can get 55k. Unfortunately with the economy in the crapper, companies are able to get perfectly capable workers for cheap. I would not think there are many companies out there that are willing to pay more than 60k unless you are in a field like law, engineering, etc. I don't consider that job title one of those.
 

Gunslinger08

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
13,234
2
81
1. Don't work at this company if you can help it. You are going to be miserable if you set the expectations that you'll work long hours/nights/weekends and be on call in an overtime exempt position.

2. Try not to give them a number. Say something like "I want to be paid fairly for the duties and my experience/education." Giving them a number can only hurt you. If you're too high, they might not even respond or you're going to get the amount they wanted to pay anyway. If you're too low, welcome to a new lower salary than they were going to pay.

3. I wouldn't expect much more than $50 to $60k as a college grad. Salary has a lot to do with age and experience, even if most companies will deny it. You could be performing the same duties as someone that's twice your age and still be getting paid half of what they do.
 

PenguinPower

Platinum Member
Apr 15, 2002
2,538
15
81
What would be a scary high number for the employer in this case?

>60k...that places you outside the market for similar responsibilities in your locale.

Only a bachelors and only 1.5 years experience in IT? $40-50k.

So what? You can't base worth of a person based on exp and edu alone. You have to look at the position, location and industry.

I'm 5 years and a master's and I'm well above what that would dictate based on job ads in my field.
 

Vic Vega

Diamond Member
Sep 24, 2010
4,535
4
0
Take whatever they offer. The experience is worth far more than the salary they will be paying you.

Do the job for 2 years.

Go to a competitor and ask for 100K.

Do the job for 2 years.

Go to a competitor and ask for 125K.

Good luck and don't burn yourself out. Do your very best to relax in your off hours. Trust me.

I have the same job, though I've been doing it for quite a while now. Trust me. Not everyone can do this. The stress and pressure can be incredible. It's hard for people not in the role to understand.

When you have a CEO of a company telling the CEO of your company he can quantify losses of millions per quarter (not BS'ing, can actually do it) and YOU have to fix it... most people do this 4 years or less - it's widely known in the industry.
 
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momeNt

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2011
9,290
352
126
Let them throw a number at you first!!!

One that names the # first is usually in the worse position (in the end).

Sales 101

I've heard the opposite depending on the type of negotiations.

People use the first number as an anchor.
 

GT1999

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
5,261
1
71
Long hours, especially overnight work will turn on your body physically.
 
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rasczak

Lifer
Jan 29, 2005
10,437
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81
Not a bad position to be in just out of college. gain some experience and move on at the first available opportunity that fits you.