[Recentgrad08]

Wow! Thanks ndb3. My offer was low indeed . A sign-on bonus was not even mentioned.

[radraja]

You have to ask for these things. They won't just hand them to you.

[redwhale]

No one else has mentioned it yet but considering you won't pay social security tax because they are a PERS retirement plan participant, that's like a 7% raise. I live on a few K higher than you do in a 1 bed/bath place and I'm not hurting at all.

If the county is anything like working for the city, you'll get great benefits, steady raises including cost of living adjustments, and pretty much a job for life. I wouldn't scoff at $39k right now given our current economy nor the fact that if you stay with the county that is the least you'll ever make and it will go up every year.

[ndb3]

Originally Posted by Recentgrad08

Wow! Thanks ndb3. My offer was low indeed . A sign-on bonus was not even mentioned.

No prob... I don't know much about working for the school district, so the sign on bonus might not be something they do, but if you decide to work at a SNF or hospital, then you should ask for a minimum of $5K...

This is the ranking for pay in my wifes experience starting with the most pay and going down.

Home Health Care
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF's)
Hospitals
Private Practices

Not 100% sure on where the schools fall, but it would be toward the bottom, probably in-line with the private practices. And I'm sure the School districts have great benefits. Hospitals are also known for having good benefits. I feel that the increase in pay for SNF's compared to what she was offered at a hospital, more than outweighed the difference in benefits.

Of course I'm sure there are some exceptions, however this has been the experience from my wife looking for jobs. I'm not sure how much demand varies between Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy. But my wife has been able to pretty much name her price. She has only been working for 5 yrs. but also has her Masters and is able to bring in 6 figures working at a SNF and doing Home Care on the side.

[Recentgrad08]

Originally Posted by radraja

You have to ask for these things. They won't just hand them to you.

I know. I don't expect them to be handed to me. When I was interviewed, I was told to name the things that were important to me and among them was a sign-on bonus. I also mentioned that I had been offered one for each of the other jobs I had applied for. We discussed the compensation in some detail and I was told what they had online was their max for new hires. I appreciate the advice though. I fully admit to being a newbie in the negotiations arena. In previous college jobs "benefits" consisted of free lunch or a discounted parking space .

[Recentgrad08]

Originally Posted by redwhale

No one else has mentioned it yet but considering you won't pay social security tax because they are a PERS retirement plan participant, that's like a 7% raise. I live on a few K higher than you do in a 1 bed/bath place and I'm not hurting at all.

If the county is anything like working for the city, you'll get great benefits, steady raises including cost of living adjustments, and pretty much a job for life. I wouldn't scoff at $39k right now given our current economy nor the fact that if you stay with the county that is the least you'll ever make and it will go up every year.

I don't have a problem with the number if it is a livable wage, I just didn't want to be panhandling by Christmas. As I said I am a beginner and I don't have much to compare things to. I was just concerned b/c in some places in my area that salary is just above the level for income controlled housing. I don't expect to start out rich or ever become rich, it was just that this offer was much different from the others and Las Vegas didn't come off to me as an inexpensive place to live. At least I feel comfortable that I can probably make it. It is always good to hear it from someone in the same income bracket.

[olecapt]

Go for it. It is safe and sane and regular and a good career path if it works for you...

On the other hand if it is duty you don't like you finish your probation...get it all in line and then off into different direction. Happens all the time.

[photobuff42]

I don't think they are doing sign on bonuses this year. There was a letter going around saying that teachers were going to have to start paying 30 dollars a month for their insurance. Money is tight in the school district and it won't be getting better soon. I would find our who your speech services coordinator is and see if there are any opportunities to provide therapy for homebound or kids getting compensatory speech services. Extra duty pay helps out a lot.

[Recentgrad08]

Originally Posted by photobuff42

I don't think they are doing sign on bonuses this year. There was a letter going around saying that teachers were going to have to start paying 30 dollars a month for their insurance. Money is tight in the school district and it won't be getting better soon. I would find our who your speech services coordinator is and see if there are any opportunities to provide therapy for homebound or kids getting compensatory speech services. Extra duty pay helps out a lot.

I will definitely check this out.

[KD Hawaii]

Originally Posted by ndb3

Also make sure you ask for a sign-on bonus, you should at least be able to get $5-10k...

Ha Ha Ha $5- $10K??? in your dream! They usually offer less than $5K.