As the Class of 2016 dive into their new jobs this summer and fall – or begin the infamous job search – it’s important to note that their expectations may be slightly misaligned with hiring managers’ predictions for new entry-level professionals. According to a recent PR survey by Wakefield Research for iCIMS, 42% of college seniors expect a salary of “at least $50,000” at their first job, while almost half (48%) of employers pay their entry-level hires $35,000 or less.
Entry-level women may be slightly more realistic than their male counterparts, though. A majority (70%) of the female graduates expect to earn less than $50,000, while just 44% of graduating men expect the same. The economy may look better than it did a few years ago, but don’t over-estimate your skills!