What salary do I ask for as a Technical Support Specialist (Help Desk)?
Question: I live in New York
Just graduated with a BBA (4 year school)
2 years experience with Help Desk
What should my salary range be? My career adviser laughed at me when I said 45k..she said max is 35k out of college. That beotch...
Is asking 45k - 50k reasonable?
Answer:
Yeah I experienced this too. I'm a graphic designer and one thing our technical and computer based skills and instructors don't tell us in school is the level we are at once we graduate. Even with the 2 years experience you are still at a junior level... and the max amount that juniors in my field make are about 40K, I assume its similar for yours also. I'd say 38-40K but make it known that you are negotiable. You don't want the fact that you are asking for too much to be the reason why they pass you up. Remember, there is always someone much better than you who may accept a job that pays what you are asking for... this is where your attitude and personality comes in. I graduated 2 years ago and it took me about 9 months to realize this.
45 - 50K isn't reasonable. Feel free to ask them how much base pay is, and if they make you an offer, its always ok to say that you have other interviews to go to this week and you'll definitely get back to them. This puts the ball in your court and forces them to either abandon the fact that they are taking advantage of you, offer you more for a quicker response, or set a deadline for you to reply.
It depends on the company - but yes, I think 45K - 50K is a bit high for that position. You might get laughed out of the room. I would agree that 35K is max, and that's if you have really great qualifications and some experience. You're probably looking at 28K-32K starting.
Actually, you both seem to be right on the money when it comes to this position. Starting salary can be anywhere from 35k but as you progress and grow with the company, your salary can jump anywhere from 45 to 65k. This also depends on the company.
I would recommend starting at 35k or 45k. Sometimes its even better to say that you are "open" to the salary you are given - by not saying any price at all, just say you are "open". This gives the employer an idea that you are not just in it for the money, but to do the best job you can do, and eventaully grow with their company.
Hope this helps.
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