Why develop negotiating skills?

Negotiating a salary, other benefits, and sometimes even a certain mix of responsibility, is part of the process of securing great career situations. Few students, however, have any experience in negotiating. Once a students understand what may be negotiated, and the research and preparation that should precede the initiation of negotiations, they may feel more comfortable and adept at negotiating.

When should students start developing negotiating skills?

Undergraduate students should start developing an understanding of negotiating by their junior years. Upper class and graduate students should start immediately to build such skills.

Where is help available?

Students should connect with both the career services offices in their home colleges, and with the Center for Career Services, for print and/or online guidance on negotiating. Career-specific materials from the college offices are complemented by guidance available in The Career Guide and Job Choices, publications distributed by the Center for Career Services, and by general guidelines, salary research resources, and related articles found on the Center's web site, http://students.syr.edu/careerservices/index.html.