[Update] Negotiating Entry Level IT Salary

[jm0ris0n]

Hey Guys,

I am graduating this summer and today I received an offer from a fortune 200 company. The benefits are fantastic (some would say world class), but my salary is just average (or slightly above). I have a bba in computer information systems.

Anyone have an idea salary negotiation ? I was told by a current employee at the same level and company that the offer they gave me was their 'median' offer and there is some room to budge.

Also is there a list of salary deviations of entry level IT positions for students right out of college ?


Thanks, Brian !



UPDATE: On friday I talked to the HR rep and got an extra 3K + a company shirt See last post for details. BTW: This is an insurance/financial investments company.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Where is this job? What was offered?

 

[Raiden256]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Where is this job? What was offered?

 

[PandaBear]

For big company who does large entry level hiring it is almost impossible to negotiate. It is a take it or leave it position and they will just find someone else if you are not taking it.

When you get to a more senior level and have connection with the people who hire you, then it can go up a bit (from below average to average, or from average to above average) but by that time you will already know how much you want and how much you worth.

You can argue for a bit more if you are negotiating with a desperate small company, but for big one, hardly any room for entry level.

 

[ohmide]

I agree with Panda. But, if you have a secondary offer for a similar position from another company you might be able to negotiate more. It mainly depends on how desparate they are for you. But realistically, fresh out BA, there won't be that much room.

 

[puffff]

Originally posted by: PandaBear
For big company who does large entry level hiring it is almost impossible to negotiate. It is a take it or leave it position and they will just find someone else if you are not taking it.

When you get to a more senior level and have connection with the people who hire you, then it can go up a bit (from below average to average, or from average to above average) but by that time you will already know how much you want and how much you worth.

You can argue for a bit more if you are negotiating with a desperate small company, but for big one, hardly any room for entry level.

pandabear is right. unless you're being lowballed, theres very little room for negotiation at entry level. the best mindset to have is not think about negotiating something a little higher now, but go in, work your ass off, make a good impression, and earn an above average raise come review time.

 

[d33pt]

Originally posted by: puffff

Originally posted by: PandaBear
For big company who does large entry level hiring it is almost impossible to negotiate. It is a take it or leave it position and they will just find someone else if you are not taking it.

When you get to a more senior level and have connection with the people who hire you, then it can go up a bit (from below average to average, or from average to above average) but by that time you will already know how much you want and how much you worth.

You can argue for a bit more if you are negotiating with a desperate small company, but for big one, hardly any room for entry level.

pandabear is right. unless you're being lowballed, theres very little room for negotiation at entry level. the best mindset to have is not think about negotiating something a little higher now, but go in, work your ass off, make a good impression, and earn an above average raise come review time.

I disagree with this. The only way you'll get more money is initially. Anyone that's worked at a big company knows how hard it is to get more than the standard 3-4% at raise time. The only way i've gotten more than that is from promotions by taking new positions where I was able to negotiate. After that it was 3-4% again. So try to get as much as you can up front. Never depend on your yearly raise to boost you up significantly.

 

[jaybert]

it doesnt hurt to ask for more money, just phrase it in a way where you can still come back to the job even if they say no.

I was offered $65k from IBM, and I punched the # i got offered from Intel into a cost of living calculator, and countered IBM w/ $72k. They told me no, since they dont negotiate based on location, but I was still able to take the position since it was the one I wanted.

 

[sygyzy]

Originally posted by: jaybert
but I was still able to take the position since it was the one I wanted.

What?!?

 

[jm0ris0n]

Yeah, IBM offers 60K, this company offers 45K. Its still nice, but I want to get what I am worth. Also, I have an interview with exxon (I really don't want to work there), but I would imagine they are around 55K+.

This company wants me as they called me the day of the interview. They never do that ! The benefits this company offers are worth ~10K.

Location is in major city in Texas.

Since its a large company the position is more of a training/learning position until you move up to be an associate.

 

[jaybert]

Originally posted by: sygyzy

Originally posted by: jaybert
but I was still able to take the position since it was the one I wanted.

What?!?

i asked for more money, but i didnt put myself in a position where I would have to turn down the job if they said no.

I told them that I had another offer, and I thought $72k was reasonable and I would take their offer if they could do that. Otherwise, I would need some more time to decide between the two positions. It helps when you have another offer, even if you dont want it. You can use it as leverage for them to pay you more, even if you realistically never plan on taking the other offer.

 

[Feldenak]

I got lowballed for the position I'm in, but as a new graduate the experience it offered down the line far outweighed the salary offered. Just something else to consider, will the job be good for your career down the line?

 

[jm0ris0n]

This is a company where I can work for the rest of my career if I desired to do so. They say I am applying for a career, not a job. They are also listed in the top 20 places to work for in IT by computerworld magazine. Also, turnaround in the IT department is 5%.

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: jm0ris0n
Yeah, IBM offers 60K, this company offers 45K. Its still nice, but I want to get what I am worth. Also, I have an interview with exxon (I really don't want to work there), but I would imagine they are around 55K+.

entry level IT pays 45k????

 

[jm0ris0n]

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: jm0ris0n
Yeah, IBM offers 60K, this company offers 45K. Its still nice, but I want to get what I am worth. Also, I have an interview with exxon (I really don't want to work there), but I would imagine they are around 55K+.

entry level IT pays 45k????

Its an entry level professional position.

 

[vital]

for an Entry Level IT position offering 40-50k on the job posting, what should I ask for?

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: jm0ris0n
This is a company where I can work for the rest of my career if I desired to do so. They say I am applying for a career, not a job. They are also listed in the top 20 places to work for in IT by computerworld magazine. Also, turnaround in the IT department is 5%.

Answer your PM

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: jm0ris0n

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: jm0ris0n
Yeah, IBM offers 60K, this company offers 45K. Its still nice, but I want to get what I am worth. Also, I have an interview with exxon (I really don't want to work there), but I would imagine they are around 55K+.

entry level IT pays 45k????

Its an entry level professional position.

Did you graduate from Rice by any chance? That would explain the high entry level salary.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: jm0ris0n

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: jm0ris0n
Yeah, IBM offers 60K, this company offers 45K. Its still nice, but I want to get what I am worth. Also, I have an interview with exxon (I really don't want to work there), but I would imagine they are around 55K+.

entry level IT pays 45k????

Its an entry level professional position.

Take it, run with it...be happy. Most entry level IT positions are in the mid to high $30's even with crappy benefits.

 

[Winchester]

45k in Texas is a good starting price. That is what I started at after bonuses and benefits in Lubbock. ~$36-$40k are the usual starting price for professional positions, at least in Texas AFAIK.

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: jm0ris0n

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: jm0ris0n
Yeah, IBM offers 60K, this company offers 45K. Its still nice, but I want to get what I am worth. Also, I have an interview with exxon (I really don't want to work there), but I would imagine they are around 55K+.

entry level IT pays 45k????

Its an entry level professional position.

Take it, run with it...be happy. Most entry level IT positions are in the mid to high $30's even with crappy benefits.

Exactly!

I mean.. damn..don't be greedy.. at least you are getting a job offer. I'm sure there are others that would be glad to be offered a position.
What entitles you for room to negotiate? I mean.. come on.. you say you are graduating this summer, so you don't "legitamately" have your degree as of yet. Some of you college grads think since you graduated college, you should be entitled to high pay, even without any real world experience to back it up.

All in all; just be thankful that you are having the opportunity to take a job offer.

 

[Shelly21]

Our latest raise (effective April 1st) is a freaking 2%. It was for all technology services. Instead of telling each employees, they just announced it on the weekly call. This went over better than the announcement of "no bonus".

Bastards, well, at lease I still have a job.

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: Shelly21
Our latest raise (effective April 1st) is a freaking 2%. It was for all technology services. Instead of telling each employees, they just announced it on the weekly call. This went over better than the announcement of "no bonus".

Bastards, well, at lease I still have a job.

Thats exactly what I said a couple of weeks ago. I calculated my latest raise at a whopping 2%. I told my wife, "At least they didn't take 2%!"

 

[DougK62]

Just be happy you got an offer - and a good one at that.

 

[Mears]

That is a generous offer for a CIS degree.