Finally received my first post-college job offer, but....

[electricJ]

but, it is quite lower than what I expected. For some background information, I graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering this past May from an accreditted university, and I interned for about a 1-1/2 years while in college. I had mainly been looking in the Evansville, IN area (lower cost of living) and was aware that I would be taking a slightly lower salary than I would be elsewhere. However, I received my offer today and was quite disappointed. The job I am offered is with a small consulting firm in Evansville, and I would be contracted out to a local industry for roughly my first year of employment. Basically, I was quoted $18/hr and at this time, I would have to look into getting my own medical insurance until the employer got around to shopping for insurance for his employees (which I have no idea how long it will be).

I realize that my cost of living is slightly lower in some respects (i.e. living) than some of you guys, but this number still seems GREATLY disappointing. How should I counter-offer with this company? The owner was very impressed with me and seemed eager to employ me based upon my credentials (internship experience and I graduated summa cum laude). Keep in mind a couple factors: For one, I have been looking for employment for almost 6 months in this area, and two, that I do live in a city, so that my cost of living is greater than rural areas.

What would you guys do?

 

[JohnAn2112]

After 6 months of looking, I would suggest taking it. It's a good resume builder and will give you some real world experience.

 

[Balt]

If you've been looking for employment for six months, then you should take this job. $18/hr>$0/hr. There is also the possiblity for negotiation here if that is too low for you to accept, especially if he seemed impressed as you say.

You can always continue to shop around while you're earning money.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Well, I don't know your situation, but I'd take it. It's not like you're stuck with that job and pay for the rest of your life. Considering that I make hardly anything (poor college lifestyle), and that my dad's ~$25/hr growing up always seemed like a ridiculous amount of money to me, I'd take $18 in a heartbeat. But that's just me obviously.

 

[Yossarian]

$37k is probably pretty good for that area. the only part that sucks is the insurance, but you're young and hopefully don't have many medical expenses.

 

[electricJ]

Originally posted by: Balt
If you've been looking for employment for six months, then you should take this job. $18/hr>$0/hr. There is also the possiblity for negotiation here if that is too low for you to accept, especially if he seemed impressed as you say.

You can always continue to shop around while you're earning money.

Do you think a counter-offer of $20/hr is too big of a jump?... Because that is the minimum I was expecting. Keep in mind also, that I am still going to have to get my own medical insurance for awhile. Also, I am working outside of my field right now (as a lab technician) at $11/hr... but then $18 > $11

 

[Gooberlx2]

I make <$11/hr after my BS and 1 year of internship.....but then, there's no such thing as a high paying Animal Care/Zoo job.

oh yeah: No benefits or sick days and no vacation for 6 months (and only 5 days after that). The parent corp. of the place I work for blows hard. AND I live in Denver.

Just trying to put things in perspective for ya.

 

[jinduy]

$18 is okay.

 

[DaveSimmons]

You could take it and negoiate a raise once you show you can do the work. Or negotiate for $18 but an extra fixed amount on top to help pay the insurance ($100-150 month?)

 

[Svnla]

I would take it. Like others said, 18 bucks are not chump changes and sure better than zero buck. It also gives you the experience to put on your resume.

Why don't you ask for more in benefits and other stuffs such as education assistant, flexible hours, personal laptop, ect.

If I was you, I would definitely negotiate on the health care thing. It is very expensive to buy on your own, been there, done that.

 

[mchammer187]

i dont think 20/hr is asking too much

question though are you paid as a contractor (ie you have to pay 100% of your SS Tax)?

if you do than imo you are getting really shafted
also what is your vacation and sick leave and holidays like

 

[jagec]

ask $20/hr, then be good and happy with it because that's a big chunk of money, really.

 

[kyparrish]

go for it

 

[vi edit]

If you aren't happy with it then move.

Simple enough.

There's only so many good paying jobs in a given area.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: ZePHyRaNTHeS
After 6 months of looking, I would suggest taking it. It's a good resume builder and will give you some real world experience.

As someone that Grad. in May of 2003 and is STILL looking for a REAL job, I also say take it. Looks good on the resume, and you can keep looking while you make something.

 

[Gnurb]

I disagree with most of the folks here. There's nothing wrong with negotiating salary if you're tactful. Just say, I'm really excited about the offer, but I'm looking for 42k/year. If a company likes you, 5k/year should be nothing compared to what they're already spending to get you. If they say no, you can always accept it anyway. I've never heard of a company rescinding an offer after nicely saying that you're looking for a bit more.

 

[electricJ]

Originally posted by: mchammer187
i dont think 20/hr is asking too much

question though are you paid as a contractor (ie you have to pay 100% of your SS Tax)?

if you do than imo you are getting really shafted
also what is your vacation and sick leave and holidays like

I'm not quite sure about that... how much does an employer normally pay percentage-wise of SS tax?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: electricJ

Originally posted by: mchammer187
i dont think 20/hr is asking too much

question though are you paid as a contractor (ie you have to pay 100% of your SS Tax)?

if you do than imo you are getting really shafted
also what is your vacation and sick leave and holidays like

I'm not quite sure about that... how much does an employer normally pay percentage-wise of SS tax?

If I remember correct it is a 1 to 1 ratio. If you see $10 in SS tax on your check then your employer has to also pay $10. So if you are a contractor, then you would have to pay all $20, not $10.

 

[nageov3t]

money's not everything.

if it's enough to live comfortably on, and you think you'd like the job, there's no reason not to take it.

 

[mchammer187]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: electricJ

Originally posted by: mchammer187
i dont think 20/hr is asking too much

question though are you paid as a contractor (ie you have to pay 100% of your SS Tax)?

if you do than imo you are getting really shafted
also what is your vacation and sick leave and holidays like

I'm not quite sure about that... how much does an employer normally pay percentage-wise of SS tax?

If I remember correct it is a 1 to 1 ratio. If you see $10 in SS tax on your check then your employer has to also pay $10. So if you are a contractor, then you would have to pay all $20, not $10.

yes that is correct

 

[zoiks]

I would say that take the job and continue looking for a better one while working.

 

[vi edit]

If I remember correct it is a 1 to 1 ratio. If you see $10 in SS tax on your check then your employer has to also pay $10. So if you are a contractor, then you would have to pay all $20, not $10.

Both you and your employer contribute 7.5% of your earnings to SS. If you are self employed/independent contractor you pay the full 15% yourself.

 

[imported_vr6]

i say take it and look for another job in the mean time.

 

[richardycc]

sound like this "small consulting firm" is really a temp agency in disguise, they make money by the diff between what they charge the company and your salary.

 

[ATLien247]

If they're not offering any benefits, that means your real wage is actually somewhere around $27K/year. If you're not too hard pressed for a landing a job right now, I would probably counter by asking for $47K/year.