oct2006minutes

Hey everyone, here are the meeting minutes from our October 3^rd, 2006 meeting held on Concordia’s campus. We had a panel of three HR professionals answering our questions on negotiating salaries: Katie Olson from Eide Bailly, Jeff Kennedy from Phoenix International and Nicole Schell from Merit Care.

Here were some of the questions and responses:

**How much “weight” would you advise a student to put into “company culture” when comparing two organizations that they are seriously considering?

-Company culture is huge

-Things that keep people are company culture (hours, dress). It’s the little things that matter

**What is the best way to approach the subject of negotiating salaries with a prospective employer?

-Never accept on the spot

-Give yourself time to digest the offer

-See what they are actually offering

-Some recruiters, on the other hand, want you to be excited to fill the position and accept right away and join the team

-Do your research on the company before hand

-Give reasons on why you want to negotiate the salary

-No, this may reflect a bad image on the company

-Looking online at Salary.com

-Look at industry the company is in

**Do you find new grads come out with unrealistic expectations?

-They want to be managers but don’t have experience or haven’t earned it

-Some think they can do or say what they want

-Be sure to look at the company’s benefits; it’s hard for new grads to understand the benefits of benefits but look at what they offer as well as the benefits package

**When asked what your salary requirements are, is it reasonable to quote a range that is similar to the industry average?

-It’s good to give a range, not a number

**A student has received an offer from a company and is given one week to reply with a decision. However, they have interviewed with other organizations that they are also interested in and are still waiting to hear back from them before making a final decision. What do you recommend that they do?

-Honesty is the key. Let them know your position

-Go with your gut, where do you really want to be?

-Sometimes it’s appropriate and worthwhile to talk with the other company and ask if you’re a finalist

-Money isn’t the biggest thing, especially for new grads, get some good experience

**What can be done if you want to take a position but your spouse has to find a position too in the community?

-A HR recruiter can give the spouse’s resume to other HR professionals in the industry

**A student has interviewed with several companies and has accepted a position with one of their top choices. Two weeks after accepting the offer, they receive a call from a company that they have dreamed of working for and is offered a position which pays $2,000 more per year. What are your thoughts?

-Apologize and realize that you burned that bridge

-You have to be careful because the HR community is tight

-Do it because it truly is your dream job, $2,000 shouldn’t be the make or break point

-Let the company know as soon as possible

**If it says preferred vs. required for years of experience

-Apply if it says preferred

-Don’t apply if it says required

**How important is the HR test

-For an entry level it’s not really important

-As you go along it is more important as it may be required

-If you take it out of college, make sure you take it seriously

Thank you to all the students who came and participated. Also, thank you to our panel, you did a great job and your answers were much appreciated!

Our next meeting is on November 6^th, and it will be at Moorhead; more information on the meeting to come.