Job Interview Question: How much am I worth?

In My Humble Opinion
1

After much searching, prodding, and random threats (see here), I’ve finally managed to get a few job interviews lined up, with the first tomorrow.

This is all well and good, but I’m fairly certain that during the course of the interview, the topic of pay rates will come up. My problem, largely, is that I’ve no idea how much my skill set is worth, particularly in a part-time environment.

The job is being a part-time network engineer/consultant type guy for a networking company down here, doing LAN/WAN design and implementation, with a healthy amount of troubleshooting thrown in as well.

As far as qualifications go, I’ve got extensive practical and theoretic backgrounds in Local and Wide Area Networking, including detailed knowledge of the finer points of Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Token-Ring, network topologies, the TCP/IP and IPX protocol suites, switching (STP, VLANs, VTP, and ISL), routing protocols (IP and IPX RIP, IGRP, and OSPF), WAN technologies (PPP, ISDN/DDR, and Frame-Relay), and Cisco Router configuration and troubleshooting. I also have extensive knowledge of Novell Netware, and am quite comfortable in Windows NT/2000 networking environments. (This was largely CnP-ed from my resume)

I’m also CCNA and CNE certified (with CCNP and CCDP on the way, due by early next year), and have been doing this stuff for a little over three years now. Unfortunately, I’m also 19 and still in college, which limits me to only being available part-time (about 25-35 hours a week).

So, with all that stuff in mind, how much should I be asking for?

2

Boy that’s some skill set! Where were you when I needed you?

Seriously, that answer is going to depend on where you are located. Here in Northern Virginia that would command somewhere in the 75-95 thousand dollar range full time if you work for a big firm. Being 19 will work against you because employers will be leery about laying out the big bucks for someone so young.

That said I’d ask for full bennies and 35-45 grand a year out here. YMMV.

3

If all you posted is true, you could start at 60k a year at my company. (well, it’s not mine, I work for it) Hey, and it’s in sunny California!

4

at most companies, if you work 30 hours a week you can be considered full-time for the purpose of benefits such as health insurance. So I would agree with Johnathan that at your age, 35-45 grand a year plus bennies is good deal.

It’ll buy a lot of beer and pizza, that’s fersure.

5

Mild update and expansion of the OP:

One of the three companies I’m talking to asked me today via e-mail if I’d mind working on a contract basis, and how much I’d charge them for that.

I wouldn’t mind at all–any port in a storm and all that. But again, I’ve no idea what to ask for (hourly rather than yearly). This company has no previous experience doing Cisco-type work, so I’d also like to give them an idea of what they could charge for me, too.

My previous employer charged $110/hour for me, for largely NetWare-ish/general LAN issues. Is this figure high, low, or just about right for Router/WAN type stuff?

6

There are a couple of considerations when working on a contract basis.

I was working for company A doing consulting work for company B. Company A was charging company B $80/hr for my services. When I was laid off from company A, I continued my work at company B for $50/hr. Consulting companies can usually command a higher price than individuals. Besides, I personally was making more at the lower price.

Another consideration is that generally, taxes usually take about 30/33% of your paycheck. When you are working for yourself (sole proprietorship) you generally are charged about 40% in taxes. Make sure you hold back enough reserve.

Good luck.

7

Do a search on http://www.dice.com using your skill set and look at what people are being offered for it. You might want to subtract a percentage because of your youth, but it should give you an idea.