You did it. You scored an offer for your very first job. You’re understandably pumped—but, there’s only one problem. The salary is a little bit lower than you had anticipated.
Of course, you don’t want to sell yourself short and leave money on the table. However, on the flipside, you don’t want to seem greedy and overly aggressive by asking for more money—it’s your very first job, after all.
So, what’s the best approach here? Should you ever attempt to negotiate your salary for your very first job? It’s really a personal choice. But, ask yourself these five questions in order to settle on a route that’s best for you.
1. How desperate are you?
Needless to say, your first job is the toughest one to land. After all, it’s difficult to convince employers to take a chance on you when you don’t bring any hands-on, relevant experience with you. So, use some time to determine how badly you really need this position.
Are you desperate for a job and are in a situation where you need to take what you can get to pay your bills—even if the salary is a little on the lower side? Or, do you have the luxury of some wiggle room to make sure you get what you’re worth?
Analyzing your current situation is important. Remember, negotiating your very first position could very well turn an employer off. And, that’s definitely not something you want to do if you absolutely need the position.
2. What sort of skills and experience do you bring to the table?
Here’s the thing about trying to get your first job offer—you don’t really have any leverage. You’re not a candidate with years of experience and tons of desirable skills. You’re really just looking for a way to get your foot in the door and get started.
Of course, that’s not to say that you don’t have anything that could greatly benefit the employer. So, make sure you have a solid handle on what exactly you’re bringing to the table. You can’t ask for more money without actually demonstrating any value.
Does the company absolutely need someone with your proven social media know-how? Well, then you’ve got a little power you can use. But, if you can’t think of anything that’s worth some extra cash—you’re better off not negotiating at all. They can easily find someone else to fill that seat.
3. How does the pay compare in your industry?
It’s smart to do some research about your chosen industry and career field before even interviewing. This will give you an idea about what you can expect in regards to salary, so you aren’t blindsided by anything.
This information is especially helpful once you actually receive an offer, as it’s a clear indicator of whether or not that proposed salary is considered fair in your industry.
If you find it’s a little on the low side? Well, then you have some hard facts you can use to approach the company about a pay increase. However, remember to take your experience as well as location and cost of living into account when conducting your research. If you’re a Data Analyst with no real experience living in rural Idaho, you likely shouldn’t anticipate earning as much as a well-seasoned Data Analyst in Manhattan. Get a well-rounded picture of what you should expect—otherwise you run the risk of just looking unreasonable and uninformed.
4. Is there great opportunity for growth and advancement?
Money isn’t everything. And, while being able to comfortably pay your bills is always nice, you’ll soon realize that factor alone does not make for a happy career. There are plenty of people who bring home six figure paychecks, only to be completely miserable in their jobs.
Another big thing you should consider—outside of just dollar amounts? You need to look at what the company structure is like. Are they a place that obviously believes in promoting from within? Is there tons of room for growth, where you’ll not only gain valuable skills and experience but also keep climbing the pay ladder?
If that’s the case, it’s probably worth accepting the offer—even if it’s a little lower than you’d like. Think of it as a starting point. It’s not the end for you—it’s just the beginning.
5. Do you have another offer?
Here’s one instance when negotiating the salary for your first job is completely understandable: When you have another offer. Having two positions on the table obviously means you’re a qualified and desirable candidate. Plus, that other offer gives you something to leverage for slightly more money if you think you deserve it.
Of course, you can simply take the higher offer if you want to make things easy on yourself. However, if you’re really interested in accepting the job that pays less, go ahead and let the employer know you have a similar offer to consider—but for more money. If they really want you, they’ll likely be willing to talk things through.
Deciding whether or not to negotiate the salary for your first job can be nerve-wracking, and it’s really based on your own personal circumstances and preferences. You don’t want to be taken advantage of. But, at the same time, you don’t want to seem greedy and demanding. So, how can you walk that fine line?
Ask yourself these five quick questions before starting any negotiations, and you’re sure to settle on an approach that’s best suited to your specific situation.
