Nicole Winston ⋅ Eden Prairie, MN (Healthcare Industry) ⋅ 15 years experience

Hi Deepak,

Your starting salary rate is often dependent on a number of factors including, but not limited to the following: Your experience (hands on), your education, the company size you are looking to join, the hours/shifts you are willing to work, the additional items of compensation offered by the company (PTO, medical/dental, etc.), whether you are looking for a contract, contract-to-hire or full-time perm placement position and the city/metro area you are in.

As has been mentioned before Salary.com is a good general resource but it cannot take into account a number of small factors that can make big differences.

Additionally, it may sound odd, but how well you interview can impact your wage. If the hiring manager has a range they can place a new hire at and you interview exceptionally well they will likely make you a higher offer than if you interview on-par and have the skills needed (they sometimes do this because they see enthusiasm and being knowledgeable/prepared as leading factors to employee performance and potentially employee longevity. Practice your interview skills. You could have every skillset they want technically but an unprepared interviewee can break the opportunity (I have interviewed -and hired- over 1,000 people in my career). Do you research on the job and the company. Have talking points/questions, come prepared, take notes, be confident but not cocky, SMILE, dress nice, be respectful, have a firm handshake and if they ever ask a question you don't immediately know an answer to don't be afraid to say "may I have a moment to think about that?" - this will likely give you time to come up with a quality answer versus one off the top of your head.

Good luck!

Susana Moraga ⋅ Hayward, CA California State University East Bay ⋅ 20 years experience

Deepak,

Be looking for hack-a-thons this fall; most companies want as much experience as possible.
Regarding salary, in addition to what has been offered, salary.com for your area and experience is a good resource.
Good luck,

John Green ⋅ Cary, NC Information Technology ⋅ 40 years experience

https://www.roberthalf.com/workplace-research/salary-guides

Katie Tamarelli ⋅ Newport, KY Strategy& ⋅ 8 years experience

Hi Deepak,

Thank you very much for your service. I would recommend you look on Glassdoor.com to get a view for an approximate salary. I would also look at your college career office, which would have typical starting salaries post graduation. I would expect your college career office estimate to be fairly accurate as to what to expect since your five months of internship is fairly typical for most IS grads.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Best,
Katie