March Madness: Negotiating Your Offer

Well friends, it’s been a week since we started our journey in March Madness! I hope your brackets are going well and you will continue to strive for the final four! However, if you bracket is completely and absolutely messed up, I totally feel you. Even though you can’t really change or negotiate your bracket, you can negotiate your job offer! Taking the time to understand why and how you should negotiate your offer is very important in your professional development. Below are tips, need to knows, and what to do in regards to negotiating your job offer:

You got this!

Receiving a job offer is exciting, but can be stressful if you feel your expectations or worth is not met. If you feel you have a reason to request a higher salary or benefits, take the time to go through the process of negotiation. Be empowered to negotiate your offer if the facts are all there. Maybe last summer you interned for the same company who offered you a job. You may feel that is a benefit for the company, because you will need less training. This is a perfect example of thinking about what you bring to the table, and why you deserve to negotiate your offer. Do your back ground and qualifications go above the average in your credentials?

Remember that you do not always have to just negotiate your salary. In negotiating your offer, you can negotiate benefits, signing bonuses, time-off, relocation expenses, your start date, and more.

The Ball is in YOUR Court!

First you need to make sure you do your research. Does the company your offer is with do salary negotiations? If so, you need to be prepared to show evidence of that salary. Take the time to do some comparisons of the salaries relative to the cost of living in that area. As long as you do your research, the ball is in your court to share the reasons why you deserve this negotiation.

Use your Equipment!

Be sure to check out our Post-Graduation Report! This annual survey is from previous Virginia Tech graduates that can provide you with major-specific salary information. Data from over the past five years is available.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics can also be helpful in finding information on your industry on the topics of wages, earnings, and benefits. This resources is part of the U.S. Department of Labor. Salary.com will also be a similar useful tool in finding a specific job in a specific location.

Paycheckcity.com can be useful tool as a salary calculator that you can take out your financial expenses and see if how doable your offered salary is for the area you will be in.

Still want to take some time to look at more resources? Feel free to check out the list of salary information resources on our website.

Pass the Ball

Once you feel that you are ready and prepared to negotiate your offer, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:

1.     Ask first! You want the company to know that you are thankful for their offer but would like to discuss compensation.

2.     Ask how the organization structures salary ranges and how your offer was determined.

3.     Present your case with numbers and facts.

4.     If you are told no, that is okay! Be okay with getting a decline if that happens, because you tried your best!

Teamwork for the WIN!

Know that you do not need to go through this process alone!

You can always make an appointment with an advisor to talk about job offers and negotiation. We are excited for you to go through the process of negotiating your salary and would love to help you along the way. You can also stop by the Smith Career Center for walk-in advising available Monday – Friday from 12-3pm to get a conversation started about your offer. Enjoy the negotiating process and feel empowered to take the next step! Good luck!

March Madness: Interviewing

The smell of March Madness is in the air! I wish you all the best of luck on your brackets. I also want to wish you the best of luck on your upcoming interviews! As you watch your teams win (or lose), it’s als

o time to start preparing for interviewing! Below are tips, need to knows, and to do’s for your future interviews:

Make a Slam Dunk!

There are five different types of interviews to prepare for. These interviews may be a phone interview, video-chat interview, face-to-face interview, group interview, or a behavioral interview. Be sure you know what type of interview you are scheduled for and prepare from there.

Practice Makes Perfect

While you are preparing for your interview, take sometime to think about what you want to say. Reflect on your experiences and how they fit into the position. Feel free to make an appointment to participate in Career and Professional Development’s Mock Interview Program. After your mock interview, an advisor will sit with you to discuss your performance with you.

Finding the Right Jersey

Deciding what to wear can be difficult. If you are unsure of the dress code for the interview, make sure you ask beforehand. Typically in-person interviews will be business professional or business casual. You want a clean and conservative look. Once you know what will be appropriate for the event you will need to dress accordingly.

Foul Out

There are a couple of things that you need to make sure you do not do before and during your interview. Do not falsify your application or any answers to questions. Be sure that you don’t make negative comments about previous employers. If you choose to wear cologne or perfume, do so frugally.

Get that Lay-Up

Be sure to arrive 10 minutes prior to your interview. Be conscious with your answer, but also complete. Make sure that you address the interviewer by his/her title. Additionally, offer a firm handshake at the beginning and end of the interview. If your interview is over the phone or video-chat, but sure to find a quiet place where no one will interrupt you during the scheduled interview.

Make that Swish

Before your interview takes place, make sure you do your research. Your research should include information about the organization, about the position, about the people, and about the location. Remember that interviews are a two-way street! Your interviewer will come prepared with a variety of questions, but you should come with questions prepared as well.

Questions you may want to think about to prepare:

·      What are your long-term and short-term goals?

·      Why are you interested in this position, our organization, or this graduate program?

·      What led you to choose your major or field of study?

Questions you may want to ask:

·      What would an average day in the company look like?

·      Can you describe an ideal employee?

·      What are some of the skills and abilities necessary for someone to succeed in this job?

Grab the Win

Be sure to say thank you and send a follow up thank you note after the interview. This note can be handwritten, an email, or both. You want to express your gratitude towards the interviewer in taking the time to talk and get to know you.

Visit Career and Professional Development sooner rather than later! We are excited for you to go through the interviewing process and would love to help you along the way. Visit our website for more tips, as well as to check out those awesome resources. Additionally, feel free to stop by the Smith Career Center for walk-in advising in regards to preparing and practicing for your interview. We have walk-in advising available Monday – Friday from 12-3pm. Enjoy the interviewing process, because you never know where it is going to lead you. Good luck!

Spring Break Bucket List: There's still time to do some of these!

Check out our Spring Break Bucket List below. How many have of these you done so far? There is still time to mark some off! 

Keep Calm: Spring Break isn't over yet!

Spring break is half way over. Can you believe it?!

You may be thinking and dreaming of your plans to keep on sleeping, watching some Netflix, taking a walk outside, and avoiding homework as much as possible. Yes! We all look forward to a break to take some time for ourselves instead of running around from class to class.

In addition to treating yourself to a relaxing break, there are also some things you can do to boost your professional development!

After you have soaked up some sun...
Maybe you want to explore more what you can do with your major after graduation.

Take some time to check out two of our resources: CandidCareer and CareerSpots.
With CandidCareer, you can watch short interview videos from professionals working in the field. They will share their experiences and how they got to where they are today. CareerSpots allows you to watch 1-4 minute informational videos on professional topics of your choosing. Learn more about networking, interviewing, and more in your profession.

After you've spent time time with family and friends...
Maybe you want to do some research on what other Hokies have done in your major.

Do this research on our Post-Graduation and Survey Report! Here, you can see what graduates are doing after graduation, employment or graduate school, where they are working, how much they make and more. This will really be helpful in connecting you more with companies and employers who are hiring Hokies.

After you've binge watched your favorite Netflix show...
Maybe you want to connect with some people on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is a professional social networking site connecting you to people, jobs, and even more opportunities. LinkedIn is the largest professional network with over 200 million members. In fact, 70% of jobs are found via networking and 85% of employers say a positive online presence influences hiring decisions. Now you have some time to upload your resume, connect with Hokies, follow some companies and learn more.

After you've slept in until 1 p.m. and realize you need to be productive somehow in this day...
Maybe you want to spend some time checking out Hokies4Hire and apply for a job or internship.

Hokies4Hire is a database specifically for Virginia Tech students that allows you to search for co-ops, internships or full-time positions. These positions have been posted by employers who are specifically looking to hire Hokies. On the database, you cane upload your resume, apply for jobs, and receive notices.

After you've finished putting your March Madness bracket together...
Maybe you want to follow up with some companies after applying/interviewing.

Following up is important to not only reiterate your interest in the position, but give appreciation to the company for their interest in you. This demonstrates your professionalism and your initiative. Taking the time to do so will be worth it in the end.

AFTER SPRING BREAK:

Stop by our office to see us! Monday through Friday we have 10 minute Walk-in Advising from 12-3 p.m. You can also call 540-231-6241 to make an appointment with a career advisor.

Enjoy your break, and be productive in your professional development. You deserve it!

Keep Calm: Boost your career!