[skinsguy]

Unfortunately, since you're going to be straight out of college, you're not going to have a lot of bargaining leverage. You have to think of your first "real" job in your career as a starting point for experience. While making a great salary is what we all go to college for, those first few years of experience should be the most important. Like what Schneed or Saden said (can't remember which one,) save your money and avoid as much credit card debt as possible. You can't expect to be coming right out of college and into a limo, although that can very well happen.

When it comes to the salary question in an interview, it's always best to have researched what that position's average salary range is for the particular area in which the job is located in. From there, you can throw in a couple of extra thousand dollars for relocating costs if you're having to relocate. I wouldn't get too cocky and expect the high end of the salary range or even the midway point, because those figures are usually reserved for those who already have a couple years of work experience in that particular field. If the job's minimum range starts at $40k, you can ask for $45k. Most of the time, they'll give ya an extra couple of thousand to intice you if they're interested.