Graduate position likely salaries?

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stormcloud51090

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#106872 1-Aug-2012 21:20

Hi all,

I'm about to finish my degree and am looking at graduate positions as a software developer in Wellington. As a result of this, I've had a few phone interviews and such, and one of the questions was "What salary expectation do you have?", I answered something I thought reasonable, but was told it was quite a low expectation and, as a result, I was wondering if you could help me figure out roughly what this kind of work would be worth?

Thanks

[Moderator edit (MF): moved to correct forum]

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#665735 1-Aug-2012 21:26

My friend is on about 45-50k a year as a graduate software developer

mattwnz

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#665743 1-Aug-2012 21:36

stormcloud51090: Hi all,
I'm about to finish my degree and am looking at graduate positions as a software developer in Wellington. As a result of this, I've had a few phone interviews and such, and one of the questions was "What salary expectation do you have?", I answered something I thought reasonable, but was told it was quite a low expectation and, as a result, I was wondering if you could help me figure out roughly what this kind of work would be worth?

Thanks

Should they really ask you that, as what does that have to do with your skills. It is up to them to provide you with a salary they expect to pay.

Handle9

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#665744 1-Aug-2012 21:41

mattwnz:
stormcloud51090: Hi all,
I'm about to finish my degree and am looking at graduate positions as a software developer in Wellington. As a result of this, I've had a few phone interviews and such, and one of the questions was "What salary expectation do you have?", I answered something I thought reasonable, but was told it was quite a low expectation and, as a result, I was wondering if you could help me figure out roughly what this kind of work would be worth?

Thanks

Should they really ask you that, as what does that have to do with your skills. It is up to them to provide you with a salary they expect to pay.

Every employer I have had has asked that question. No idea what positions pay, just bear in mind when you answer that you may have to go down from what you expect but you won't be able to go up.

I'd ask for $5k more than what you think is fair.

Boeingflyer

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#665745 1-Aug-2012 21:42

It's a very common question. One that i have never had to answer as i've been in the same organisation for over 15 years. I can't believe $45k is all your worth after getting a degree, i can see why everyone wants to move to aussie.

chiefie

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#665751 1-Aug-2012 21:56

Fabian: It's a very common question. One that i have never had to answer as i've been in the same organisation for over 15 years. I can't believe $45k is all your worth after getting a degree, i can see why everyone wants to move to aussie.

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#665752 1-Aug-2012 22:00

I started in a Systems Admin/Helpdesk role two years ago on 48k. Had some software dev mates get jobs anywhere in the 45-70k bracket depending on experience and grades.

I tend to say something along the lines of "I would expect a fair and competitive salary" for most employers they take that as an answer and can avoid you excluding yourself through either over or undervaluing. As a grad you shouldn't be too worried about the pay more about experience and training.

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#665753 1-Aug-2012 22:03

The Hays IT salary survey or the Absolute IT one are fairly useful

http://www.hays.net.nz/salary-guide/
http://www.itsalaries.co.nz/

mattRSK

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#665756 1-Aug-2012 22:07

chiefie:
Fabian: It's a very common question. One that i have never had to answer as i've been in the same organisation for over 15 years. I can't believe $45k is all your worth after getting a degree, i can see why everyone wants to move to aussie.

Grass is not always greener.

A lot of people say this but I have had offers from both sides of the Tasman and the grass sure does look greener to me. Comparing rents etc against what we have here it seems that you can get around the same over there.

insane

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#665762 1-Aug-2012 22:15

Thankfully I was never hired as a programmer as I know my programming skills are very average, however others who did some of the same papers were excellent and would have been able to demand a far higher salary had we applied for the same jobs.

It's impossible to really say what you're worth as it depends on what you can do at a technical level, and what kind of attitude you have and personality.

Having said all that, those in my course who had some experience and went into programming roles back in 2007 started out between $43 and $50K.

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#665783 1-Aug-2012 22:54

Fabian: It's a very common question. ?One that i have never had to answer as i've been in the same organisation for over 15 years. ?I can't believe $45k is all your worth after getting a degree, i can see why everyone wants to move to aussie.

That would be a starting salary without real job experience. Architects start at around 30-40k, and that is a 5 year professional degree.

mattwnz

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#665785 1-Aug-2012 22:55

Ragnor: The Hays IT salary survey or the Absolute IT one are fairly useful

http://www.hays.net.nz/salary-guide/
http://www.itsalaries.co.nz/

Trademe also have a salary guide

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stormcloud51090

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#665912 2-Aug-2012 09:57

Thanks for your help everyone - Hopefully I'll be able to make a slightly more educated guess next time I'm asked this question

floydbloke

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#665976 2-Aug-2012 10:56

It's quite a harsh question for someone who is just entering the full-time workforce.

On the flip-side, it is also a fairly standard interview question these days and interviewees should probably be prepared for it and determine their market-value beforehand.

It was all so easy when I joined the post-office back in '84. This is your age, this the job title (designations they called them back then), this is how much you'll get paid (was about $9,300 p.a. if I recall)

Sometimes I use big words I don't always fully understand in an effort to make myself sound more photosynthesis.

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#666084 2-Aug-2012 12:23

A grad gets $50K?! Most software development grads aren't worth much for a couple of years, they have theory but no experience in what's useful in the real world.

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#666137 2-Aug-2012 12:59

6 years ago I started on 40k then 3 months later went up to 44k, that was straight out of uni with a BSc majoring in computer science.

this is in auckland.

honestly, the first jobs pay doesnt matter all that much. just make sure you get a good job, even if you get paid less. if you get a good job, you will move up very quickly, a bad job and you will likely be stuck. i walked out of a job 2 days into it because I knew it wouldnt help my career, it took me 6 months to land a good job after uni.

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