They are also unsure of whether they will be expected or allowed to negotiate elements of their compensation package. Their relative knowledge of prevailing salaries is usually a bit sketchy, and can be attributed to their lack of previous investigation of the fields of their choice. Their uneasiness about a negotiation process is understandable since the only exposure they may have had to anything similar might be haggling over the price of a car or the terms of a lease. Fortunately, there exists a good deal of information that can help them to be better informed and prepared. Local offices frequently maintain a Labor Statistics Division that monitors earnings in specific geographic areas as well as information on the supply and demand for many occupations.
Information is moving online more frequently, so check out web sites maintained by states.
Such offices are also listed in the government section of phone books. Localized information may routinely be found at public libraries as well. This professional association gathers information on offers made to college students and publishes it four time per year. Copies of the results are available for inspection in the Center for Career Services. Survey results are also highlighted in news releases available on the NACE Homepage.