I know that in today's market it is hard to put a price on a person but I will ask you to do so if you would. I have my A+ Network+ and my Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Certs, and I am working toward the MCSA. I am a contractor and I am hoping to get on full time working at a computer helpdesk and I work the second shift, this is in Indiana and I am just wondering what you out there would say would be a good starting point. The reason I am asking is that if I get hired on they ask for salary desired, and I dont want to stay at what I am getting paid as a contractor which is $12 an hour. Any feedback would be helpful on what amount and how I should go about asking for it. Just to let you know my work history is working for an ISP as a Tech/CSR and working for a retail chain setting up new networks at new locations. Thanks in advance
Don

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Well, you didn't say how long your experience is, but I'd think that if you could get $12 per hour plus benefits, that would be a good start. I don't know what jobs are paying in your area, so it's hard to tell.

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Crutch

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I have been working in IT for about 2 yrs and I have worked at the helpdesk for about 3 months.

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Is it expensive to live in Indiana? I guess it depends on what you want. Most general help desk positions that I have seen pay anywhere between $8 to $13 per hour. But these are for positions in Phoenix and Albuquerque. You should be able to get some kind of shift differential for working on second shift. What level of help desk is it and what can you expect to be doing?

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Crutch

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It is hard to say. I don't know that area over there that well..

What IT or tech company's are in the state?

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Kill All Suffer 2 Reborn

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Experience, location, market all determine your worth.

The market is not as good as it use to be, so why not try to stay with current job and not switch or make any fast moves.
Some people with more experience than you are unemployed.

COnsulting always adds benefits to your wallet and resume.

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Let The Games Begin!

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With your experience and the certs I would think $12 to $15 would not be out of line, maybe even more. For my first IT job providing desktop support I made a little over twelve, and that was nearly 4 years ago.

When pricing yourself look at a few other things outside of yourself. Are there others in your department with verifiable education (certifications or degrees)? Most of the time there seem to be only a couple in a large group who are actively seeking to advance their knowledge, which is an asset to the organization. Knock out as many more certs as you can before the rate negotiation time arrives. Is there a way that your issue resolution skills are tracked (Remedy, Tivoli, etc.)? Such records may provide a good comparison of skills to determine if you are actually closing a larger number of issues, or more difficult ones than your counterparts. What about work attendance? Are you reliable? Most companies abound with long lunch takers, "sick day" slackers, and similar ilk who come in late and leave early, and wouldn't consider staying over for a few minutes to learn something new or help out a co-worker. If you stand out in the three areas mentioned, when negotiation time arrives, don't name names or lay blame, just humbly point out you're strengths. If you have been showing yourself as a stellar contractor, your managers will likely be be more flexible on the price you request.

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Well, I am not sure of all of the IT companies in the area but I know some of the larger companies are around in Indy and Columbus

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Thanks for all the info everybody and Darthw we do have a remedy system and since I have started I have been in the top 3 for first call resolution, since the majority of call come during the day and not the night when I am working I dont get the volume of everybody else. Concerning trying to advance through education, I am the only one that is activily trying to advance in the IT field. There are a couple of people that are getting degrees in an unrelated field. I have been on time everyday so far for the past 3 months and I cant take long lunch breaks because I am the only one working in and no one to take my place during the night so I work through lunch and just eat on the clock (which is nice makes for less time away from home). I have volunteered for the shifts nobody wants for the holidays pulling 12hour shifts so no one else had to come in. I am thinking of asking for about 14 or 15 and just need to make sure I am not overstepping my bounds. I am not sure of what anyone around me makes they dont talk about it and I dont like to talk about it either. Well if anybody has any more suggestions or anything please post thanks for all of the help
Don

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Try salary.com for salary info. You plug in your information (city, state, zip, position) and it tells you what the typical salaries are in your area. Again, there are variables, but it's useful information.

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