Senior Software Analyst

[bubbadu]

So it only took 5 years of hard work, but I finally have an interview with a company that I have been looking to get into for a long time. They have already asked me about salary requirements, and I have no clue what to say. Heres a description.

The Senior Software Analyst serves as software/technical expert from both a system and functional perspective. The primary responsibility of the software analyst is to analyze and troubleshoot software issues at the application and database level within agreed Service Level targets. Responsibilities also include enhancing client satisfaction by developing and maintaining cooperative and respectful relationships with internal and external clients. He/she will be responsible for achieving defined goals and delivering software and technical expertise and high quality solutions on all issues relating to the product. The Senior Software Analyst acts as a coordination point between clients and other operating units to assure issue resolution.

My brother in law is very high up with the comany so he has been trying to pull a couple of strings. The wierd thing is that I haven't heard about an associate tech support engineer postition which I assume would be more of an entry level. Any ideas on where to start? I don't want to lowball myself, but yet don't want to ruin this. Thanks.

 

[spidey07]

You never give a number first. Never.

Just say something like "competative compensation inline with roles and responsibilities of the position."

If you're looking for a figure use salary.com

 

[Regs]

Every job title in every company is obviously different.

"The man honors his title, the title does not honor the man".

Though entry level around 40,000-45,000

Mid-Advanced levels around 50-55k.

Also depends on the size of the group. If you're the "team leader" or part of a smaller group in a larger company I can easily see upwards of 60k with experience.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: spidey07
You never give a number first. Never.

Just say something like "competative compensation inline with roles and responsibilities of the position."

If you're looking for a figure use salary.com

bingo!

 

[WingZero94]

And ask quite a bit higher than you actually want. If you want 70k ask for 80k

 

[bubbadu]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: spidey07
You never give a number first. Never.

Just say something like "competative compensation inline with roles and responsibilities of the position."

If you're looking for a figure use salary.com

bingo!

Thanks for the tips. I went ahead and wrote this. Wish me luck!

 

[Descartes]

I don't agree that you should never give a number first. In some cases, you know precisely what you're worth and what you need to make a move, if any; it's a lot easier to be upfront to avoid the long negotiation process. That being said, if you're not sure then the response you've given is best and appropriate.

For what it's worth, I know analysts that make way into six-figures, but they're consultants and they have probably a decade of industry experience. For someone mid-level/senior, I think the numbers quoted in this thread sound appropriate. $50k would be ridiculously low, and $100k probably at the top-end for normal full-time work.

 

[3NF]

It all depends on where you work. Check out salary.com to see what you're worth in your area.

 

[bubbadu]

Originally posted by: 3NF
It all depends on where you work. Check out salary.com to see what you're worth in your area.

I live in VT. Tried using salary.com but couldnt quite find the matching job title. Salaries around here usually arent that great. I went to UVM and there was only about 20 kids this year with a CS degree, and ten of them are going out of state!

 

[Tiamat]

Im not sure what the going rate is in your area, but starting salary for software analysts here is 63,000$ with a BSCS. A MSCS pulls in 72,000$ and a team leader pulls at least 82,000$.

Your response was the safe one, hopefully they respond with an offer that sounds good to you, then you can start negotiating up from there.

 

[rh71]

Don't know your area but I'd venture a guess at $80k around here for that position, seeing that it should require experience too. How much experience do you have ? It says troubleshooting for clients but not sure how much coding will actually be involved. More of a liason perhaps ?

Anyway, just a figure for comparisons, take the advice not to state it first since it doesn't give great details.

 

[Cal166]

Originally posted by: spidey07
You never give a number first. Never.

Just say something like "competative compensation inline with roles and responsibilities of the position."

If you're looking for a figure use salary.com

Some places you have no choice but to tell them. A few big companies I interview for, they would send you a employment application where you fill out all your past work history and salaries.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

You could always toss in something like how you look for performance based incentives... bonus, stock options, whatever.

 

[bubbadu]

Originally posted by: rh71
Don't know your area but I'd venture a guess at $80k around here for that position, seeing that it should require experience too. How much experience do you have ? It says troubleshooting for clients but not sure how much coding will actually be involved. More of a liason perhaps ?

Anyway, just a figure for comparisons, take the advice not to state it first since it doesn't give great details.

I just graduated in May. The only "experience" I have is Staples and my internship. They didnt exactly say experience was necessary, well only if you didnt have a degree. I am thinking in the 40K range which is only fair considering i have friends that make 30 washing cars.