After College

[needle]

The best time to get a raise in salary is when you're applying for a job. Statically speaking, people who switch jobs often make more money than those that stay with a company a long time.

But not too often. If your resume shows that you're job-hopping every 2 years or so, the companies that you eventually want to work for and stick around at, simply won't hire you. For a real complex job where it may take up to a year to get you up to speed, no one wants a candidate whose experience shows that he's not likely to stick around for 5+ years.

[Fencergrl]

Yeah I agree. It depends on the circumstance. Also... job satisfaction isn't always about what you earn. It's really important to get a good idea on what type of environments you thrive in.

[fatfencer]

Absolutely lifechanging.

Myrddins... PLEASE read this book. It's called the 4 hour workweek. By Tim Ferriss

If you enjoy fencing and want to be doing it 10 years from now with, approximately, the same figure you have now then read this book.

Otherwise you will end up like most of us: broken, dejected, thinking quiet desperation is a step up from where yer at, etc. Sitting in a cube is the best way to get secretary spread.

Fatfencer

PS: Yes there is life after college. Careful planning will help you avoid it sucking intensely.

[AdamH]

Plenty going on; it's probably daft but it may be the best thing your education is good for is ticking a box and crafting a really awesome cv (then again, and again). Work out how human resources people think and sort out your interview technique. Perhaps, like college, the hardest thing is probably getting in. As has been pointed out earlier, the job market can be a bit carnivorous so you'll tend to make your money during the interview stage. Contract work is nice as you can sell yourself on experience while getting it and noone will worry too much about your work history. Easier to get another job while already in one and you'll feel less intimidated to ask for maximal pay especially when a position isn't the most attractive.

That 4 hour work week book is a good one. If you have your idea of a high-falluting job then probably make preparations to say goodbye to family, free-time, hobbies and relationships. Avoid credit with the exception of buying property.

Office politics? Enjoy. I'd rather take a productive team and mature team over hissy backstabbers but this isn't often a choice and the longer you stick around in role the more things will bubble. Some industries by nature are less bothered by this sort of thing. Face that fits/grey man/simple/aggressive profiles tend to work generically until you feel the situation more. Simple and honest in the right environment can be really excellent if HR have got it right.

Anyway, what do you want to do? That's probably the most important question as you've got no excuses now