Talk with the IT community in our Discussion Circles . But then you reach that nerve-wracking moment. Worse yet, he simply asks what you're making now. Your next few words will be crucial.
Salary negotiation is a fact of job-seeking life, and preparation is vital.
Do your homework Always walk into an interview with a minimum salary requirement in mind. You can determine a realistic, but satisfactory, salary by doing a little research. Luckily, the Web hosts a plethora of salary survey sites - the more reliable ones are compiled by government agencies, employment agencies, universities and professional associations. Use them to find the average earnings in your industry for positions ranging from entry level through executive level. Don't forget to ask friends and alums of your school who work in the industry what a typical starting salary for a new graduate is in the job of your choice.