How Recent College Grads Can Negotiate Starting Salaries

In a recent study, nearly half of employers reported they would pay recent college graduates $30,000 to $49,999 this year, and 25 percent reported they would pay $50,000 or more. When asked what they would be willing to negotiate when extending a job offer to a recent college graduate, 27 percent of employers said they would consider increasing starting salaries and a significant number said they would also be willing to negotiate other hard benefits such as tuition reimbursement and bonuses or soft benefits such as flexible schedules and telecommuting opportunities.

The percentages of employers who said they would negotiate benefits with recent college graduates being considered for entry-level jobs were:

• Salary – 27 percent
• Flexible schedule – 22 percent
• Academic reimbursement for additional schooling – 16 percent
• Bonus – 14 percent
• Cover costs of mobile phone – 13 percent
• Cover relocation expenses – 12 percent
• Telecommuting options – 9 percent

Source: Careerbuilder