Another note about the above information. It often doesn't accurately reflect year end bonuses. I have friends who were anticipating a bonus but got none and then other people got significant bonuses without expecting any. Sure some consulting bonuses are performance based, and not everyone gets them even though they sell it as everyone gets them. Then some corporate gigs often dont pay first year bonuses but some companies do surprise their high potential hires and senior managers running them often have some ability to reward folks. Not a whole lot of open talk about the size but you can tell when some people didnt get something if they were expecting. I have a few friends who are looking for new jobs already partly due to promises not being met. Then some of us suddenly feel even better about our compensation, even if it was already on the high side.
Figure most people work half a year or so...if normal bonus for the company for that level is targeted at 10-15% of salary that is around 10-15k. For half a year or less lots of people assumed 5k was coming there way, especially since some companies talk about that as part of the compensation package. I dont think many people include that in their salary data at school. If a full year is going to be 20% you probably at best should hope for 10%.
Everyone is always concerned about salary...the ROI is different for everyone but it is usually pretty damn good unless you are going from IB to non-profit. You never know how things shape up after several years on the job. But if you look at the median/mean you will probably hit within that pretty close. Some schools publish the 80% range...I dont think its possible to find distribution but the few highs and lows offset with the vast majority being right in the middle. So if an industry/function is paying 120 all in first year then you probably could anticipate 105-135 and be confident you will fall in there. Sure some people will take an 80k offer but some people will get 160...you never know which you will be. However, if 80k is too low for you to justify it then turn the offer down and go get another one....no one puts a gun to your head and makes you accept. There are companies who I know went 0 for at Kellogg last year because they thought with a weaker job market they could low ball and it backfired. People have expectations coming in and a lot of people hold to what they feel is their true worth.
Realistically anything too far about the mean is tough and hell half those people probably are returning to their company or had no clue it would pay that well. Sometimes you luck into something no one else was excited about and end up with the golden ticket...just dont bet on it.
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Kellogg Class of 2010...still active and willing to help. However, I do not do profile reviews, don't offer predictions on chances and am far to busy to review essays, so save the energy of writing me a PM seeking help for these. If I don't respond to a PM that is not one of the previously mentioned trash can destined messages, please don't take it personally I get so many messages I have a hard to responding to most. The more interesting, compelling, or humorous you message the more likely I am to respond.