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Evaluating Job Offers

• What You Should Know Before You Receive an Offer
• Why You Negotiate
• What You Can Negotiate
• How to Handle Salary Questions
• If Your Offer is Given First Over the Phone

What You Should Know Before You Receive an Offer

Before you receive a job offer you should figure out what your skills are worth in today’s marketplace. Check out the following resources for more information:

• NACE Salary Calculator Center
• JobWeb Salary Info
• Glassdoor
• MonsterTRAK
• The Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Wall Street Salary Survey
• Cost of Living Comparisons
• Job Salary and Compensation Survey
• Career Builder salary information
• The Riley Guide

Before you receive a job offer, you should know what you need, know what you want (and know the difference) in terms of salary, location, starting date, etc.

Why You Negotiate

• You have other interviews scheduled and want to negotiate the date on which you must reply
• You have received higher offers from the same or other industries
• Your past work experience/internship is directly relevant and your offer does not reflect such
• Your past work experience/internship is not relevant, but encompasses transferable, meaningful skills
• The average salary for BBAs in this industry with your amount and type of work experience is higher than your offer

What You Can Negotiate

Some items that may be negotiated:

• The date by which you must accept or reject the offer
• A one-time, lump sum signing bonus (this does not figure into your salary)
• Your starting date
• Early performance reviews such as 60, 90, 120 day or six month review with possible raise
• Moving/relocation assistance
• Professional association membership fees
• Help finding employment for a spouse
• Company car, gas, maintenance and insurance
• Work schedule and time off
• Salary

How to Handle Salary Questions

You may be asked some version of the following questions. Always try to answer honestly and cover all bases in your response.

Salary Expectations

For example, if you are asked: “What are your salary expectations or requirements?”

Reply with the following: “What would be the salary range for someone with my experience and skill?” Or, state the following: “My research has shown that the salary range for a BBA in (your major) going into the (name the relevant industry or field), is from ___ to ___. With my relevant internship, I’m anticipating a starting salary in the upper end of that range.”

Salary History

Avoid tying your potential job offer to your past salary history. The offer you negotiate should be based solely on the value of the job. Contact CSPD if you require advice on your salary negotiation.

If Your Offer is Given First Over the Phone

Often you will receive a job offer over the phone, to be followed by a letter clarifying the offer. Keep these few tips in mind:

• Regardless of how you feel (about the offer being great or terrible), express pleasure that the company has selected you
• Ask when you can expect to receive the written offer
• Ask how much time you will have to make a final commitment
• If after evaluating the job offer, you still have unanswered questions, contact the person who made the offer, indicate that you have a few questions, and dive in.