September 1, 2004
A: FROM MENTOR BARB KONTOGIANNIS IN CO
. I interviewed for several jobs right out of college, and two of them happened to be for the same company, but in different divisions in different states. The starting salary offered to me was different between the two, which I thought was odd, but the one in a "less desirable" location was offering more, so I assumed that the reason was based on luring people to that location. I accepted the job with the lower salary, because it's the job I really wanted (space launch vehicles rather than airplanes), but I discussed the discrepancy in salary with my new boss. He too thought it was odd that the same company would offer me a different starting salary, so he looked into it. Sure enough, I ended up getting the higher salary that was offered to me by the other division. It pays to speak up. Do your research, find out what others are paid for similar positions. I didn't really have to negotiate for it, but by discussing the salary difference between two offers, I was able to get the higher salary for the job I wanted.
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A: FROM MENTOR MARCELINA MARTINEZ IN NM
Unfortunately I did not negotiate my salary when I was first hired. I am
still with the same organization and, as a result, I have been fighting an
uphill battle for six years. I didn't know much about salary negotiation
when I finished college. I was offered a salary that was in line with what
I expected based on salary surveys in my field. I learned later on that it
would have been most beneficial to me if I had negotiated, I could have
come in with at least $5K more than I did. What I learned about salary
negotiation - as much as a year later I might add - in my organization I
learned from individual employees. The organization as a whole had their
salary policies but speaking to individuals about their experience is what
made me realize what I should have done. Although this may be specific to
my employer, it might be wise to try to find individuals within the company
to determine what salary practices they have. What is in policy/guidelines
is not always what they follow.
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August 31, 2004
A: FROM MENTOR JO ELLEN HINCK IN MO
I did negotiate when I was hired for my first job at a salary higher than
initially offered. One of the most important tools you can have in this
situation is knowledge. Do some research and see what salaries are with
the education and experience you have (I found this info searching the
web). One thing I immediately noticed was the gender bias in pay in the
private industry. Women's salaries were several thousands less than men's
salaries - but don't let that discourage you. The company I was applying
at offered me several thousand less than the average salary for that
position with my experience and education. I told the employer these
circumstances and they counter offered a higher salary. One thing is for
sure - it doesn't hurt to ask - they won't give you more money if you
don't ask for it!
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A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK IN RI
I've never really negotiated... my first job as an Assistant
Professor, I took what was offered and figured that I could just
barely begin to set up a lab with the start-up funds. Soon
afterward, a brash friend of a friend asked my starting salary, and
before I figured out exactly how I wanted to reply he added, "It
shouldn't be a penny less than $11,000!" And $11,000 was precisely
the amount. This was 1972.

When I made a lateral move in 1988 into the university administration
I did negotiate a 10% raise, arguing that I was going to be working a
lot harder. That turned out to be true. Now that I'm moving back
into the faculty I lost some pay, going from a nominal 10-month
appointment to 9 month - though I've always worked more than these
nominal amounts.
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A: FROM MENTOR AIMEE WILLOZ IN MN
I didn't negotiate a higher salary for my first job. I'm not sure if I
would have gotten a higher salary if I had. I do know that I had a higher
starting salary than some of my co-workers who started at the same time,
because I had a Master's degree. I've switched companies a few times, and
that has made a big difference in my income. Looking back, I didn't feel
comfortable negotiating right out of school, but I probably could have
negotiated at some later job changes if I'd wanted to. I've felt
comfortable with my salary all along - from what I know, it's commensurate
with my male co-worker's salaries.