Evaluating Job and Benefits Offers

I had planned on going to the workshop this afternoon about "Evaluating Job and Benefit Offers" at teh post office at Downtown Campus, however the event was canceled. I was able to get the handouts, and it turns out a couple other students had done the same thing as I had. Maybe some of them are fellow Public Affairs interns!?

Anyway, the information I gathered told me a lot of similar information that I had previously learned in interview workshops. Things like:
-prepare a list of answers to expected questions in advance
-practice negotiating, and have good reason for the things you ask for
-have confidence
-let them make the initial bid
-have an idea in mind of what you should be expecting.

What is most interesting though, is trying to quantify how much I am worth as an employee. If I were to try and put a dollar amount on how much I am worth, I think I would have a hard time doing so. It is hard to do when taking into consideration past experience, education, connections, basic skills, ability to work with others, etc.  Maybe I should evaluate myself compared to my peers and see what they are making? But maybe the economic recession will affect my possibility to earn a good wage? I know it has certainly minimized the number of jobs available.

I recently applied for a job with the City of Chandler and am waiting to hear back about the interview process. Originally I was planning on pitching myself in the interview as a "bargain" employee. Young (so cheap), but still experienced and willing to work hard to prove myself. I'm the most "bang for your buck". But maybe this comes off as desperate and would be looked down upon as being unprofessional.

But to be honest...  maybe I am desperate! hahaha

I sure wish that workshop hadn't have been canceled.