i jsut graduated college with a degree in graphic design

i plan on working at a brand new ad agency is opening in the area that is financially backed very well, they plan to dominate the area..

anyhow out of the 8 candidiates for the job i was selected, on friday i meet with them to hear their offer

what should i ask?? what should i expect to make, im figuring in the ballpark of 30k as i will be a junior designer....

new to this stuff every job ive had only required one interview, but they werent professional jobs.

any help would be appreciated, thanks!

 

crap... I hope you enjoy your work... I think receptionists without degrees get paid over 30k/yr around here.

 

damn...maybe ill get 40???? i really have no idea what designers make in my area!

 

ive been told starting out around 30 and up, but living costs her in upper indiana are fairly low, i mean you can get a decent house for 100k.

 

just dont wanna sell myself short you know!

 

The standard custom (well, at least from my own exp) is that they make their offer first over the phone. You can ask for a day or two to think about it then negotiate if you want to.

If they ask you how much you want to make, you can always say "I expect to make the industry standard" and wait for them to make the first move. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

Do you have a portfolio? Did you graduate from one of the 3 GD schools that is worth a shit?

Re: salary, expect to make jack-shit.

Re: company, sounds like some bullshit.

Yeah, reality sucks -- but you did it to yourself. GD is a tough area with many dues to pay.

 

A second interview pretty much means thay are serious about hiring you, so don't screw it up. Be nice to everyone, be on your best behavior. Wash your hands in the bathroom and don't order alcohol if they take you to lunch. Make sure your car is clean, just in case...

Don't give specific numbers beyond saying that you are looking for appropriate pay. Look up the pay range for GD and adjust it for where you live. Just about any 9-5 job will beat what a lot of college students face, which is no job prospects.

In GD, do whatever you can to get in good with the clients. When you leave the job, you want to be able to take clients with you if at all possible. Makes you more valuable to any employer, or if you decide to open your own firm.

 

30k is actually a little high for a starting graphic designer. If they come out of the box with anything more than 28k I'd be happy. Then again they may have a solid customer base and value their designers, it's difficult to predict what you will be offered.

As a fledgling designer the best thing that you can do is find a stable job with good benefits, use that income to pay your bills. Then establish a solid base of freelance work and use that income to play with.

 

I say as long as you don't screw it up, you will get the job. this has been my experience. Second interview is generally so more people, including higher-ups, can meet you and just make sure you're not an idiot