I’ve been selected for an interview, Friday afternoon. It’s for a Junior Application Developer position, which will pay $45k to $55k a year.
It would be my very first paid professional software development job, if I get hired. Please note that I didn’t finish my BS in computer science and I don’t have any projects to show for. My task will be to show or convince them that I can be an entry level developer, maybe with some training and direction.
I was thinking of asking them, if my request is for a $45k salary, if I can take a $35k salary with a $10k bonus. I wanted to use $10k to buy a car, to relocate closer, and to pay bills, etc. and miscellaneous expenses. I don’t have a car and I my bank account is in negative balance and I have no cash. My credit cards are pretty maxed out.
My question is that, what should I know about in order to obtain a signing bonus? Is it more likely impossible? How likely can entry level candidates get signing bonuses? Especially such novices like myself? What are some examples or scenarios out there of entry level developers getting signing bonuses? How did they pull it off?
Would asking for the lowest salary make me more hire-able?
I’m also guessing that obtaining a signing bonus would require promises or a contract?
A higher salary is the gift that keeps on giving. Future % increases could be on that base. You’d rather get 5% raise on $45k than $35k and you will have a stronger salary history if you change employers as well.
All of that is true, but is it possible that they might select a candidate who is cheaper? Or maybe the difference isn’t that much for the hiring manager to worry about?
They don’t usually engage in taking “bids”. They will offer you X$. I would not ask the signing bonus thing. That is a red flag that you will be high maintenence. You dont want them to think that.
What about any bonus at all? If it’s off limits, maybe I will have to look at it that way. But the fact is that I have no car, no money, negative bank account balance, have some bills, and will have to relocate (if it won’t be a remote job). I’d might be able to borrow money or I’d might not.
I can’t imagine anyone giving a junior dev at that pay level a $10k signing bonus. Any bonus would surprise me. Hopefully you can figure out a way to afford the job.
Definitely do not negotiate the salary down! Wait until the offer is extended to you. Then, say “I really want to take the position but my dilemma is that I have some upfront costs for moving etc”.
IS the job more than 50 miles from home? If so perhaps they will give you a flat amount for relo. $5-10K is common.
Or did the job say “no relo”?
Never negotiate a salary down. Just don’t! You would be really sorry later! It would take YEARS to get back to the $45…because many companies don’t raise salaries year to year at all, not even for inflation!
Not expect…no…but just take the job for $45K and negotiate on that later, if it is a must in order to take the job. Otherwise, wait for the next job which can work out.
OK. So I should suggest relocation expenses? How much do they usually give for relocation? Is that there determination? or do I have to make a suggestion?
$5k to $10k sounds like a lot for relocation. I’m not understanding that… Only thing I understand is just why I need the money to get myself started…
You can ask if they would consider a relocation allowance. I would not ask for a specific amount and definitely DO NOT mention your debt, etc. Your personal financial situation is not the business of the hiring company nor is it a reason for them to give you some $. In fact, going into details about your less than stellar financial situation could give the hiring person pause on whether you’d be a good hire.
Yes, ask for relocation expenses if they make you an offer. But it sounds like you just have a first interview. You might end up with multiple interviews before they extend an offer, and I would not bring this up unless they ask about salary.
Also, you probably have to expense the relo costs, so you can’t keep the difference if they offer more than you need.
Can you borrow a few thousand from a family member to pay a security deposit on an apartment? Get one where you can take public transit for a few months so you can build up your bank account a bit for security & a car down payment. You can move after the 1st year if you have a car then.
Do NOT give up the salary. It could take you several years to get back to that salary level.
Good advice… I guess was trying to be honest, but a little too revealing is not necessary, I guess…
How much would companies usually give for relocation expenses?
And are they going to ask me what the expenses are for?
If they offered me $3,000, do you think that it would be wrong idea to ask for more, if I wanted $5k or more? When someone is going to relocate, I would imagine that would mainly be getting a new place…not necessarily buying a new car…even though I do need one and don’t have one.
You should be totally focused on what you can do for them. Your financial situation is irrelevant to your job negotiation.
If they offer you a job, take it. Do a great job and prove yourself. This is your best financial strategy.
Even when we offer signing bonuses, they are usually paid out after 6 months of employment. I’m not sure about moving expenses. I believe they pay the actual expenses but you owe the money back if you quite before a certain time period, so in a sense, moving expenses are a form of credit.
As far as a car, you’ll have to take a car loan. Make sure you get one with simple interest and not rule of 78s so that you can prepay it. Get a cheap car.
Many entry level jobs offer no relocation costs. So if they don’t, you will need to borrow from someone else. A car, you can eke out a few more months with the old one? Perhaps you can find a room for rent in the new town for 6 months or so until you have enough saved for your own apartment.
As Classic said, your financial issues are off limits during an interview or any salary discussion. Get the offer, come back and tell us what I says and we can advise. Generally they don’t talk much about $ until they make the offer.
$5K is not a lot for relocation. The problem is that today, companies are stingy. Trust me, some higher level employees get HUGE relo packages. But, you are entry level. Still, $5K is certainly not out of range of asking, in fact, I’d start with $8-10K as a request and hope to get $5-6K. As an example, I got $15K relo in the 90s (college grad to new job several states away) and $10 and $15k sign-on bonuses with 2 different jobs later on. Alas, I suppose times have changed…BUT…you are in computer science which is a good field to be in to ask that sort of question (and get that $35K number out of your head - it is waaaaaayyyyy tooo low. $45K is not high either…but I see your degree not finished so perhaps fair).
It is common for college students to not have much to start off with, to fund relo/new apt/car and moving costs. They will not find a relocation $ request unreasonable. Does it say anything in job description, whether they will pay relo or not? If it does not say “no relo” then it is a fair request…AFTER you get the offer in writing. Just say you are also considering other opportunities and you’d like to take this one but to make it work you would need $X in relo. I don’t see the shame of honesty - if you’ve been funding your college, of course you are broke!
Also, computer science is a field where they are competing for good employees. The market is on your side, I think, depending on your skills etc.