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Subject:Low $$ vs. "getting in the door" From:Christine Fedruk <CFED44 -at- CBOT -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 25 Jul 1997 11:37:01 -0500
Yesterday, Kathleen Frost wrote in on the $24,000/ year job offer topic,
reminding us that large companies may pay less than smaller ones, simply
because they *know* that people want to work for a big name:
<snip>... But just remember, please, that if you do accept a low salary,
no matter how innocent your intentions, it could cumulatively hurt all
others in the industry by re-enforcing the beliefs of these corporations that
they can continue to pay these low salaries and get away with it.
. . . . .
I'd like to add this: [<- sorry for the late reply -- on digest yesterday]
Every time you accept a low salary, you're also hurting YOURSELF, and
not just in the here-and-now. You'll pay for that mistake over the length of
your career if you don't find a way to get bumped into the higher bracket
on your next job.
Like Kathleen, I landed my first "real" tech writing contract at $22, and later
discovered that the savvier writers had all signed on at $28-30 for the
exact same client & duties. We had comparable experience -- except
where salary negotiation was concerned! I was so grateful to get the
prized "Technical Writer" title onto my resume that I didn't realize that all
my future raises and bonuses would be paid on that lower rate... and that
a 5% bonus on $22/hour is quite a bit behind a 5% on $30/hour.
My point:
If new jobs come in at about 5-10% higher than your previous rate, and
you started at a lower salary, the pay gap between you and your fellow
writers who started higher will just keep getting wider over time. Not a
good feeling.
For me, five years after that first lower-pay that got me started, I know I
could be making quite a bit more in the Chicago market. Granted, my
salary ain't peanuts (and beats all hell out of what I used to make as a
teacher!) but if my work is at the top of the quality curve, my
compensation should be, too. I love the work -- I'd like to love my check
a little more! *laugh*
As always in the job-stalking game, DO YOUR RESEARCH and ASK for
what you're worth when the opportunity knocks...
Regards,
Christine
Chicago, IL
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