You just graduated from college. Maybe you just earned your Bachelor's, MBA, Ed.D. Juris Doctor, or Ph.D. and ready to sit at the negotiating table with a prospective employer. So your resume is decked out and has all the credentials and references. The potential employer makes contact and desires to schedule an interview. You make it to the interview ahead of schedule dressed to the "T," like something out of GQ magazine head to toe.
The interview was going great until the employer mentions something. The employer finds your resume quite attractive and wants to verify your college degrees through "online degree verification." Everything was going well until the employer mentions a salary. The employer says the salary is a fixed number and is "firm," despite the countless years you spent in college working tirelessly to earn your degrees and regardless of past work experience.
You don't have to accept what the employer is offering no matter what she or he says during the interview. Show them in an intelligent way you're not willing to settle for what they're offering by ending the interview early and proving to their face you're willing to walk away in the moment. Chances are they'll tell you don't leave and willing to renegotiate. It's a critical moment like this that you make the judgment call whether to continue walking away because they allegedly lied and said the salary was "firm," or sit back at the table and negotiate a salary feel you're worth.
Worst case scenario is you continue to go on sour job interviews and get fed up and start your own business putting every employer who tried to get over on you to pure shame.
Are you one of many folk gearing up for it a job interview soon or recently interviewed at a dream company you desire to work for? You don't have to settle for less. Being mindful to do research in your field of work before interviewing with the prospective employer so you'll know ahead of time if she or he who interviews you will try to present you with a less than satisfying number for an entry-level salary. You don't have to settle for sloppy seconds.
Besides, you're the one that's going to be contributing to the strength of the organization and improving their hand financially. Why not be paid what you're worth? Don't fall prey to the corporation as a slave by settling for a less than pleasing salary.