What salary should I look for?
briangl
Member Posts: 184 ■■■□□□□□□□
I suspended my job search while I was attending the Cisco Networking Academy. I have started looking again. What salary should I be looking for with the certs that I have; A+, Net+, MCP (Windows XP) and CCNA? I live in Maryland.
I sent my resume to a job ad. Someone actually emailed me asking what my salary requirements are.
I sent my resume to a job ad. Someone actually emailed me asking what my salary requirements are.
Comments
If you have professional (on the job) experience, and/or a degree you will have a higher value than an individual with a handful of certifications. I would also suggest doing a quick search on these forums for "salary negotiation" and "salary requirements" as there are some decent threads that highlight this issue and offer good advice. Generally though, you don't want to start out too low since most employers will typically shoot an offer out a bit lower than what you give them as your expectations and you'll have to negotiate back up.
While I wouldn't give yourself away, I would also consider this. If you do not have any prior experience working in IT, or have very little - then I personally place a higher weight to the experience than I do the money I'll be making. Meaning I would take a job that might not be the very best pay - but would allow me to get by, while gaining extremely valuable experience.
I have a lot of work experience, not IT related.
I’m not currently working in anything remotely related to IT. I’ve been here five years. Before that I worked for a network installation company for about 5 months, running cable, installing end user systems and Ethernet switches. I did volunteer work for a couple of months building computers while going to school for my A+.
Post high school formal education; community college, 65 credits, no degree - music, computer programming, gen. ed. classes, all a long time ago. A few years ago, tech school for A+. Recently, community college for Cisco Net Academy, 9 credits.
Other than things I teach myself IT and non-IT, that’s it.
Even with the CCNA, you may need to be willing to start off in desktop support.
Can't really speak to the salary, there'll be a big gap depending on where in MD. Check some desktop support jobs in the precise area to get an average.
Without knowing what this type of job should pay, I just told the guy I was looking for something in the mid 30's.
I don't have a problem with starting out doing desktop support. I kind of figured that's where I would start. I just don't want to be sitting around taking a lot of phone calls though. That would drive me crazy real fast. I am much more of a hands on type and hate sedentary work.
As for part of Maryland, the job I got the reply from is in Baltimore.
Most employers always put down their ideal criteria they would desire in an employee, often times they don't get that so I wouldn't let it scare you away from applying.
That's the downside to helpdesk jobs, but it's unfortunately something that most people in the industry have to start at for some time at least. The best thing you could do if you get a role working helpdesk and desire to move up is to continue to express your interest in technology and keep up with your studies and certifications. I would also show interest as they arise in assisting some of the network/system administration staffers with tasks, just show a genuine interest in it and you'll be noticed. If an opening within the organization opens up that's a step above a helpdesk role, you'll have a good foot in the door for it.
If you've got the work-ethic, personality, and professionalism, you'll find yourself getting hired permanently sooner rather than later. Learning the technology is easy... companies can find tech guys a dime a dozen, but a lot of the time they don't do much other than making people want to hit them. "Common sense" is not very common.
Pay your dues and put in the work to gain experience. If you can make a good impression, you've got 90% of the battle won.
I am certainly willing to start at a salary that meets current living expenses. I am just trying to make sure I am not cheating myself out of money by asking too low if they were planning on paying more. I know it's a maxim that who ever states an amount first looses. I think I have a habit of letting people take advantage of me in that respect. I guess ultimately, I will just have to figure it out for myself.
lol @ Bert using MF Doom as his avi....
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