Salary negotiation - where to pitch myself?

SandC

I would go for the top end, they really will not be put off by that, the worst they can do is tell you they don't think you have enough experience and then you could negotiate a review in 6 months time or something like that.

I've lost out in the past by being way too coy and I'm currently in yet another situation where if I'd valued myself more I would be far better off. Don't make my mistakes.

cali_

Go nearer to the top end and when they meet you half way, it will be somewhere you would feel more then confortable.

dave4545454

definitely the top end, you've got experience and are highly qualified with two degrees. the median salary for new graduates in 2009 is £25,000, you should be on well above the figure

wontfallforit

dave4545454 wrote: »

definitely the top end, you've got experience and are highly qualified with two degrees. the median salary for new graduates in 2009 is £25,000, you should be on well above the figure

Thanks for the boost

I'm aware of the mean graduate salary, but this isn't a graduate job per se. I made a conscious decision a few years ago not to work in the sector for which I graduated. So whilst I still want to 'sell' my degrees (I do believe they've helped me get my foot in a couple of doors in these hard times), I don't feel able to command the highest salary just because I have degrees. It would be fair enough if a degree was essential for the job, but it's not...though many graduates do opt for this kind of work.

Anihilator

dave4545454 wrote: »

definitely the top end, you've got experience and are highly qualified with two degrees. the median salary for new graduates in 2009 is £25,000, you should be on well above the figure

This figure is highly inaccurate as it doesnt take account for the fact many graduates don't find jobs or the fact that graduate schemes often last 2 years then those folk are dumped on the dole.

wontfallforit

Anihilator wrote: »

This figure is highly inaccurate as it doesnt take account for the fact many graduates don't find jobs or the fact that graduate schemes often last 2 years then those folk are dumped on the dole.

A pet hate of mine.

Most reputable companies have a specific structure in place, whereby you're allocated into a certain role when your 'scheme' expires.

However, I've come across several companies (inc. very well known, global brands) who don't have much of an answer when you pose the question "what happens after the 2 years...?".

Just before the age discrimination employment law came into place 3-4 years ago, I applied for a few graduate schemes. I was rejected from some (as is the norm), and accepted to a handful of others. I declined all options down that route, as it was quite clear that these companies were specifically recruiting 21-year olds with limited work/life experience, for the specific purpose that they could be "moulded" into whatever corporate animal fitted the culture of the company. And the selection processes were dire, too. The forms are a million pages long, usually online only (which is fine by me), and every single 'top' company seems to draw upon pretty much exactly the same questions and "competency-based" scenarios.

Now they tend to highlight the fact that they "welcome graduates old and new", which I doubt is really the case. The requirement to input the dates you attended school/college on an application form gives a very accurate indicator of the age group you come from.

x__Indigo_x

this has gt me thinking
i got the a new job recently.
its similar role to the one im in now except more specialist
i have 6 months general experiance
i got the trainee position as for the proper one you needed a year experiance (5 grand more)

my question is i have saved them 6 months worth of training as no experiance was needed for the trainee.
therefore does anyone believe i should try and negotiate or wait a bit and then ask?