So you guys might know from my last post that I recently got my first job ever, and well, there are a lot of things that I've learned in the one month that I've worked with them, both philosophical and practical.
You can consider this article a Part 2 kinda-thing of what I shared yesterday as I'll be sharing some follow-up stories and the things that I couldn't cover up the last time.
You see, when first starting out, freshers often tend to be a little naive and think that the company is doing them some sort of favor by giving them the job, which makes them want to settle even if the pay is significantly low just so they can get the job early.
As my friend 
It is important to show that you're worth it. It is not a company doing you a favor by hiring you. They need you too! So it's a normal conversation between two parties trying to come to a result that is acceptable for both of them. This is very difficult to realize when you are young and you have no experience but you did it!
I like how she added that I did it, lol!
Anyway, what she talks about is pretty spot-on and really important to understand, especially for folks who are new in the whole corporate game. The company needs your skills just as much as you need their money, as simple as that.
Sorry But I Don't Come For Free
The best way to counter this, I think, is to do a little math before you actually enter the interview room. First, you need to calculate what's the lowest salary you can afford to take, and then add the amount that you think will make your expected salary match with the skills that you posses that you'll be providing to them.
Also, measure the cost and benefit of the time you'll be investing in that company. If you could be doing something much more productive and profitable in that time, perhaps through freelancing, then there's no point in trying to get a job right now.
I don't really consider myself that good at negotiation, but when it comes to money, I never let the company take advantage of me and trap me in their words somehow to make me agree on a lower salary, nope. I know what I'm worth, and if you want me, you gotta pay me fair.
Even if they say no for an arguably fair pay, don't hesitate to walk out that door. You might not get the job, but your word is out there in the world making an impact. You are slowing marketing yourself, which will help you improve your image as a professional allowing you to be able to ask for a higher pay later on in life.
When Life Says, "Congratulations, But..."
Now here's the story that I really wanted to talk about since yesterday, and bear with me for a few minutes here because I promise it leads up to a valuable lesson.
Like I mentioned, it's been almost a month since I've been working at my first job, which I am really happy about. But then my life was like, "Yeah, but wait a minute," and then things got a little complicated.
What do I mean? Well, I'd planned to change my college for the next semester since months now and the 2nd year is supposed to start from June itself. But the problem is, the college that I want to change to, has decided to shift the timings a little late from the normal morning timings.
They've decided to stretch it between late afternoon and early evening, which means that I'll no longer be able to do full-time. The way I had planned it earlier, was that I'll be done with college in the morning and then I can do the job full-time till late in the evening and Steemit even later at night, but now my whole schedule is pretty much ruined.
When You Tell Life, "Bring It On!"
But I didn't let this misfortune get the best of me. I worked out an arrangement. Again. And this time, I took advantage of my situation. I told my boss about what happened and that I needed to quit, but what I didn't tell him is that I've already had an interview with a different company who has almost agreed to take me for part-time and for a better pay per hour, hehe!
You know that feeling when you feel so good that you feel kinda evil? Yeah, that's me right now lol.
I'm a college student, after all. We always have a back-up plan. Anyway, if I do get this job, I'll be able to manage all 3 productive aspects of my life once again: Job, college, and Steemit. I think it's better this way for me because it kinda sucks to sit almost alone in the office everyday when it gets late and feel kinda lonely and wanting to go home ASAP.
With this new job, if I get it, I'll be able to give my time and energy to each priority equally, with some time to spare for other stuff too. What ALL of it ultimately hints at and why I made you read such a long story is that life, no matter how messy it can be, has a habit of always working out somehow in the end.
A lesson I've been trying to learn for a long time.
Update: I got the job! :)
Related articles:
- THEY HIRED ME! - Sharing My First Day Experience At My First Job
- My 1st Steemit Anniversary! — Everything I Learned From My Journey
- My Beginner Experience On Steemit - What I Learned, Who I Met & How I Felt
- What I Learned From My First Job Interview - Life Advice For College Students
- What I Learned From My First Day In College - Life Advice For High Schoolers
- Life Advice From My Best Friend About Future, Career, And Dealing With Unfairness
- Real Talk #1 - My Fear Of Failing As A Writer (and other stuff)
- Real Talk #4 - Confessions
