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John goes to graduates college. He gets an offer for 100% of average grad pay for his major that year(2013). He works at his job for two years. He does really well, has great reviews, he's thinking he's going to get a promotion. But instead, he gets a layoff notice.
John has enough savings to last 6 months, maybe a bit more if he gets a part-time job or eats PB&J for dinner. John's old classmates have all gotten promoted and are making 15% more than "fresh grad" salary (ie. 115% of fresh grad salary).
Here is where the poll starts: Three months in, John is offered a job from an OK company for a position. The position pays less than his friends.
What's is the LOWEST amount John should accept?
a.) John should NOT accept less than market value (ie 115% of fresh grad salary)
b.) John should NOT accept less than 100% of fresh grad salary
c.) John should NOT accept less than 90% of fresh grad salary
d.) John should NOT accept less than 80% of fresh grad salary
e.) John should NOT accept less than 70% of fresh grad salary
I'd tell John to throw the "fresh grad salary" mindset out the window and not give what his friends are making a second thought.
Two reasons:
One, if after a few months he's only offered an OK position, he should jump on it. It's a sign he needs more experience to coincide with his education.
Two, he can still keep looking for a better opportunity, and being employed makes him a more attractive candidate.
It's simple... who cares what anyone else makes. If you aren't being offered that, then it doesn't matter.
If you find out that you can make 25% more after you take the first job... then quit... That's it. Otherwise, stop holding your breath for something that probably won't come around.
What your classmates make doesn't matter. Reality is, you probably aren't your classmates.
Didn't vote once I read the specifics. When layoffs happen, in almost all cases there is some leeway to keep the best prospects.
Quote:
Why wouldn't he be worth more than someone with his same degree and no experience?
Because he is now damaged goods in the eyes of many potential employers. I have been in the business world 35 years and seen a lot of layoffs. Sometimes you can't protect your best prospects, but that's rare. It may be his misfortune that he was laid off in one of those rare cases where there was no leeway, but odds are he is not the cream of the crop.
If you think after 2 years of experience you are entitled to a significantly higher salary than when you started, then you have a problem in your thinking.
At that age, you need to not be thinking about silly, insignificant increases in salary and worry about what you want to do for the rest of your life and how to get there.
Last edited by jobaba; 05-26-2015 at 07:40 AM..
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