How much to ask for (JOB INTERVIEW)

[SkyRender]

I'm in graduate school and plan on applying for a Software Engineering position at some of the top tech companies once I graduate (Google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc). How can I know how much to ask for? I know that I can check the salary tracking sites, but a "Software Engineering job in Mountainview" is different from a "Software Engineering job at Google, Mountainview". Does anyone have an idea of what these companies are offering new graduates? Also, what effect does the amount of education have on salary (i.e. Master's vs PhD). Thanks!

[pbmods]

Heya, SkyRender. Welcome to TSDN!

The short answer is, "It depends on where you're applying."

Without experience, expect to earn below market for awhile. No, a college degree does not count for experience, but it is a prerequisite to getting some of the higher-paying jobs, so your time wasn't completely wasted :)

When I negotiated my salary for my job in Texas, I looked up salaries for Dallas programmers with 2 years of experience and no degree (which was an honest appraisal). The end result was a little disappointing (the presence of 'major players' in the Austin area has deflated wages a bit), but it gave me a number that I could bring to the interview.

Fortunately, my boss started out by offering me the best he could afford, so I kind of lucked out there. I was, however, able to negotiate a very nice sign-on bonus because I did my homework.

In the end, the marketplace will determine your value. If you don't know what that value is, you will be at a disadvantage when it comes time to negotiate your salary.

You are correct; searching for programming job salaries in general will produce very different results than searching for Google salaries. This is why you will need to research each position you apply for.

[SkyRender]

What's the best way to determine what a company generally pays for a certain position, or certain level of experience? I can't just call and say, "hey, what are you guys paying", can I?

[pbmods]

Heya, SkyRender.

What's the best way to determine what a company generally pays for a certain position, or certain level of experience? I can't just call and say, "hey, what are you guys paying", can I?

LOL call up my employer and see how that goes!

Do a search for 'salary survey' on Google. Usually the free ones give you all the info that you'll need.

[sicarie]

One of the things I absolutely love to do is put them on the spot to make that decision. Of course, you can get lowballed this way, but if you are doing more than about three interviews, you can generally see what people think a certain position is worth.

I always put 'flexible' in the "Desired salary" spaces, and answer that even when pressed "I'm pretty flexible" or "I'm really more concerned with a good fit than the compensation" (citing working for way too little as an intern getting experience that allowed me to get paid way too much for the position I got after that).

It will also depend on position - coder vs network engineer vs security vs analyst, etc... You can Google salary and whatever your position is, which will probably pull up job listings, you can get a feel for what requirements are in what range.

Good luck!

[praveen2gupta]

I'm in graduate school and plan on applying for a Software Engineering position at some of the top tech companies once I graduate (Google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc). How can I know how much to ask for? I know that I can check the salary tracking sites, but a "Software Engineering job in Mountainview" is different from a "Software Engineering job at Google, Mountainview". Does anyone have an idea of what these companies are offering new graduates? Also, what effect does the amount of education have on salary (i.e. Master's vs PhD). Thanks!

Hi
In the companies you named and othet top compinies the fresh graduates gets the job appp. Rs. 3.0 Lacs p.a. But the othet small companies does not pay this much of amount. Generally pay package for the freshers are fixed by the companies and you are not in the position of asking or bargaining for tha salary package. Effect of P.Hd for the fresher is minimum or you at the most you can expect 10% more salary. However Higher degrees are useful at senior positions.
Praveen Gupta
India