You've just been offered your first professional job in the real world. You breathe a sigh of relief: The search is over. Unfortunately, it's not. In many ways, the real work, deciding whether this job is really the one for you, is just about to begin. Looking for a job after college is difficult enough. Deciding on a job offer when ...

In every negotiation, the time comes when the other side puts an offer on the table. At that point, the ball is in your court. Unless you want to accept that offer or walk away from the table, you have to put forth a counteroffer. You will hear all kinds of advice for doing this, and much of that advice is ...

While it's difficult to make definitive statements about what to do and what not to do in every negotiation situation, there are some potential pitfalls to be aware of before entering the negotiation process. Here are five of the most common no-nos. Initiating Negotiations Too Soon Timing is important here. The appropriate time to negotiate is when a formal offer has ...

One MonsterTRAK member writes: "I'm just wondering: What is a good field to go into after college? I'm in my first year of college and have changed my major twice. I want to make at least $90,000 a year and will do just about anything that doesn't involve a lot of math. Could you give me some options?" These words are ...

With a job offer in hand and your first paycheck on the way, you may be daydreaming about how you’ll spend your paycheck—on a new work wardrobe, furniture for a new apartment, maybe a better car. But how much spending money can you really expect from your paycheck? It helps to remember that more than 20 percent of your salary may ...

Would you ever want to give up a healthy chunk of your salary? In effect, that's what you'll be doing if you disregard the various employee benefits you'll have access to in your first job. Many new college graduates simply don't understand their employers' benefits programs or their significance in real-dollar terms. "They underestimate the value of their benefits and don't ...

Deciding on a career path? Want to know more about what a particular career is like? Maybe it's time for an informational interview. In an informational interview, you meet with someone working in a field that interests you. The point is not to ask for a job, but instead to learn more about a career path. But even if you're not ...

In some cultures, bargaining is the norm. A buyer or seller makes an offer, and the other party either accepts or counters the offer. The two negotiate until a deal is made or one of the parties walks away. When you're negotiating your pay with an employer, do you know what you're doing? Do you have any idea of what you're ...

It's no secret that education is linked to job security and salary. Those with a high school degree were likely to earn less than half the salary, and experience over twice the unemployment, as those with a master's degree according to research from Salary.com. General facts about education and employment can help your individual career choices, but you have particular ...