Why am I getting lowball job offers? In New York City Finance

I graduated from a top university with a double major in related fields. Statistically speaking, the average starting salary from my school is 50k a year. I applied to lots of jobs but when I hear back, they always give me a lowball job offer like $15/hour, $18/hour or salary from $30-$40k a year? What gives? Do employers think fresh college graduates will work for cheap? I am from NY btw.

24 Comments
 

This happened to me too when applying to new jobs. My school average is 60k but, honestly, that number doesn't mean anything. It all depends on the work you will be doing, the hours, and the size of the employer.

Look beyond the money aspect, if it will put you one step closer to your career of choice and give you applicable skills why not take it? Assuming you can afford to live on that amount.

**How is my grammar? Drop me a note with any errors you see!**
 

Go to the Big 4. Fresh grads with 0 knowledge make 70,000 a year.

“Elections are a futures market for stolen property”
 

How do you compare to peers from your university? Statistically speaking, if you're below average, it'd explain the 10-20k salary hit.

 

$30 - $40k does sound pretty low.

But for a small company, hiring someone is a huge investment, and they really can't afford you to "not work out" as an employee. In my experience many of these firms do lowball you initially, but if you take the offer and bust your ass, demonstrating your worth, you should see your total comp grow quite quickly.

"Some things are believed because they are demonstrably true. But many other things are believed simply because they have been asserted repeatedly—and repetition has been accepted as a substitute for evidence." - Thomas Sowell
 

I got an offer from a state with a much lower cost of living for $70k and I haven't even graduated yet. I said that I'm actually looking for offers between $100k-$120k and she said she'll speak with her manager to determine what career options she can find for me. Keep in mind I didn't graduate from a top university.

NEGOTIATE. It kills me how many men are out there that won't even engage in this. Lowballing is part of negotiation.

Let me hear you say, this shit is bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S!
 

Petroleum Engineers in the past down years who graduated as oil was rising could have upwards of 10-11 offers when they graduated.

At that point you can pretty much demand what you want.

 

Starting out at a small boutique in research I was certainly lowballed but not like that. When I think of lowball on entry level associate/analyst positions in ER I think $70K plus like a $15K bonus, not $30K-$40K. If you're referring to IBD then it becomes even more puzzling. Can you please share with us the actual job title? There's paying your dues and there is outright ridiculous, the figures you're citing seem to be the latter not the former.

 

For most entry level roles, accept the one that can give you the best opportunity for future advancements. You should negotiate a raise after 1-2 years at the firm, though.

Prove your worth.

 
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