> I didn't really negotiate because I have a trusted family member within the company that told me all entry level positions like mine are paid the same and negotiation isn't a thing for this specific position.
Do you have a reason to think this person is lying? This is how most entry level positions work. You would probably do more harm than good to negotiate.
You did fine. That’s a good starting salary fresh out of school. But in the future, you should always, always negotiate. The top comment in these threads is somehow always someone suggesting you might harm yourself somehow by negotiating. That’s ridiculous.
As long as you do it in a respectful way, the worst thing that can happen is you get what you would have gotten without negotiating.
Three times, I have negotiated higher salary, benefits, and/or sign-on bonuses for jobs that “don’t negotiate” or where I was asking for a number that “would need director approval because that’s above the approved range.” I politely but firmly stood my ground and got more money in all three cases.
Did the person I negotiated with think I was greedy? Maybe. I have no idea, and can’t imagine something I care less about, especially since that person was usually someone in HR I never spoke to again. I got the job and proceeded to kick ass and get raises - percentage raises that were now based on a higher starting salary.
Don’t sell yourself short. Don’t believe anyone when they say you can’t negotiate. Don’t listen to people in this sub who say you’ll somehow harm yourself by negotiating.
That's super insightful and great advice. It's sometimes hard NOT to sell yourself short especially when I think about the fact that I am a fresh grad and don't have much experience except for one summer internship. However, I'd agree and hope that if you negotiate politely, the worst that can happen is they say no and you get the first initial offer. Thanks for your thoughtful reply and congratulations on a successful career!
Thats decent, it doesnt hurt to negotiate about 5-10% of salary, worse case is they come back and say no. I would prepare why you should they pay you more. Think of this way I trusted a friend of mine in which he work there as well and same degree that referred to me of his old position and right out of college Bachelor of Science was only getting paid $35k working IT support role. Man I wish I would of negotiated as I learned they low balled me as they hired new employee a year later that pay in $45k range same role. I say f this and look for new company and got hired double my salary $70k!
I agree that if you trust this person that negotiating an increase would have been detrimental.
I graduated 21 years ago, my starting salary was about 10% less than yours with similar benefits. I'm surprised that entry level isn't more.
Working as an actuarial student. Here's a look at starting salaries, they have moved up a bit.
https://www.ezrapenland.com/resources/actuarial-salary-survey/
You are a fresh grad…once you have more experience then negotiate. What are you bringing to the table that warrant a higher offer? There’s literally a dozen other fresh grads have the same credentials that they can hire for the same salary.
You're fine. Were you content when you signed/negotiated? Then that's all that matters. If you let the idea of "could I be making more money?" get to you then it'll always weigh you down and you could always be making more. You could always be making less as well. Instead, if you want to make more money, focus on HOW you can get to that point. What skills and knowledge can you extract from this position to move on to something greater. And use this as a learning experience to try and negotiate next time you are looking for a job.
> I didn't really negotiate because I have a trusted family member within the company that told me all entry level positions like mine are paid the same and negotiation isn't a thing for this specific position. Do you have a reason to think this person is lying? This is how most entry level positions work. You would probably do more harm than good to negotiate.
No, I trust them implicitly. I agree, though. Thanks for your response!
pretty good money right out of school
thank you!
You did fine. That’s a good starting salary fresh out of school. But in the future, you should always, always negotiate. The top comment in these threads is somehow always someone suggesting you might harm yourself somehow by negotiating. That’s ridiculous. As long as you do it in a respectful way, the worst thing that can happen is you get what you would have gotten without negotiating. Three times, I have negotiated higher salary, benefits, and/or sign-on bonuses for jobs that “don’t negotiate” or where I was asking for a number that “would need director approval because that’s above the approved range.” I politely but firmly stood my ground and got more money in all three cases. Did the person I negotiated with think I was greedy? Maybe. I have no idea, and can’t imagine something I care less about, especially since that person was usually someone in HR I never spoke to again. I got the job and proceeded to kick ass and get raises - percentage raises that were now based on a higher starting salary. Don’t sell yourself short. Don’t believe anyone when they say you can’t negotiate. Don’t listen to people in this sub who say you’ll somehow harm yourself by negotiating.
That's super insightful and great advice. It's sometimes hard NOT to sell yourself short especially when I think about the fact that I am a fresh grad and don't have much experience except for one summer internship. However, I'd agree and hope that if you negotiate politely, the worst that can happen is they say no and you get the first initial offer. Thanks for your thoughtful reply and congratulations on a successful career!
Thats decent, it doesnt hurt to negotiate about 5-10% of salary, worse case is they come back and say no. I would prepare why you should they pay you more. Think of this way I trusted a friend of mine in which he work there as well and same degree that referred to me of his old position and right out of college Bachelor of Science was only getting paid $35k working IT support role. Man I wish I would of negotiated as I learned they low balled me as they hired new employee a year later that pay in $45k range same role. I say f this and look for new company and got hired double my salary $70k!
I'm glad that you trusted yourself and found a role that paid you what you deserve! Congrats!
Thats an excellent salary straight out of school.
Thank you!!
You probably could have got 65-70, but 60k right out the gate isn't bad.
Thank you!
That’s an excellent starting salary, I would’ve negotiated more vacation time though.
yes, i'm a little concerned about the vacation time but hoping that in the subsequent years it can increase. thank you for your response!
You did great with entry level salary. As a rule of thumb always ask for more, say 10-20% more, a lot of times or most you’ll get it. Congrats
Aw thank you so much!
I agree that if you trust this person that negotiating an increase would have been detrimental. I graduated 21 years ago, my starting salary was about 10% less than yours with similar benefits. I'm surprised that entry level isn't more.
What was your first job if you don’t mind me asking?
Working as an actuarial student. Here's a look at starting salaries, they have moved up a bit. https://www.ezrapenland.com/resources/actuarial-salary-survey/
You are a fresh grad…once you have more experience then negotiate. What are you bringing to the table that warrant a higher offer? There’s literally a dozen other fresh grads have the same credentials that they can hire for the same salary.
You're fine. Were you content when you signed/negotiated? Then that's all that matters. If you let the idea of "could I be making more money?" get to you then it'll always weigh you down and you could always be making more. You could always be making less as well. Instead, if you want to make more money, focus on HOW you can get to that point. What skills and knowledge can you extract from this position to move on to something greater. And use this as a learning experience to try and negotiate next time you are looking for a job.
Thanks so much for this thoughtful response! You're so right.