When evaluating job offers find out the details of the job. Compare the salary offered with those at other companies. Be sure to research before relocating for a position. Look at the advantages and the sacrifices you will need to make when accepting a new position. There are many other things to consider also. Use the following references and web sites to help you learn how to evaluate and negotiate to start your career on terms you are comfortable with.
Reference:
- American Salaries and Wages Survey, data from over 300 government sources is given, as well as, information from 75 trade or professional association salary surveys, and news sources.
- Employment and Earnings, current employment, hours, earnings, and labor turnover data by industry is given for the U.S. as a whole, for individuals states, and for more than 200 local areas.
These sources include descriptions of the nature of the job, and training required.
- Career Information Center, thirteen volume set contains profiles of over 3,000 jobs with earnings and benefits.
- Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance, four-volume set describing 1,000 occupations with average range of earnings in 68 major industries and career fields.
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, both on the internet and printed reference, has starting salaries, average earnings, nature of the work, working conditions, training, advancement opportunities, job outlook and related occupations for about 250 occupations with projections to 2006. It also lists the fastest growing occupations.
- Specialty Occupational Outlook: Professions, expands the career guidance in Occupational Outlook Handbook to include 242 profiles in these areas: executive, administrative, managerial, professional specialty, technicians and related support occupations.
- Professional Careers Sourcebook or Vocational Careers Sourcebook, both books give salary ranges for occupations, lists of professional associations and trade journals affiliated with specific careers.
- Federal Employees Almanac, rates of pay for federal positions are listed by grade level for various regions, together with other data related to employment by the U.S. government.
Other Sources
Professional and trade associations often collect detailed wage information on specific industries and can be identified in the National Trade & Professional Associations of the United States, or the Encyclopedia of Associations.
