Salary Guide – What You Should Really Ask For
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
Many career starters make one of two mistakes:
They ask for too little or too much.
Either way, it can cost you.
🔍 What this article covers:
What to ask for when negotiating your first salary without selling yourself short or getting dropped before round two
How to estimate your market value realistically with smart reflection and a checklist that nails your financial needs
Why your first job should deliver more than just money and how a strategic start leads to long-term gains.
Starting too low means getting stuck under your value. A sky-high demand can get you disqualified before you finish your pitch. Harsh reality: someone else might have sat in that same chair earlier asking for less with the same skills. At the start, it’s not about the max deal. It’s about getting in right.
Real talk: You don’t need 60k if your life runs smoothly on 40k. What you need is a job that gets you ahead. Professionally. Personally. Strategically. And a plan for what happens next.
We’ve got a free career guide that helps you map your next steps like a pro. Download it here. It works.
What really matters
1. Learn fast. It pays off later.
A job with steep learning, a strong manager and real feedback is worth more than a few thousand euros extra per year.
Read this article on how to choose your first job.
2. Know your value
Figure out what you need and what you’re worth. Our checklist below helps you get there. Solid ground forsolid negotiation.
3. Talk money. Regularly.
If you haven’t had a raise or development talk within a year, speak up – as long as you’ve hit your goals.
No raise? Ask what it takes to get one. Define clear, measurable SMART goals with your manager.
Still no raise or promotion after hitting those? Time to move on. Don’t let them waste your time.
✅ Checklist: Your realistic salary target
Before you talk about numbers, get clear on what you need and what you want. Here’s a simple breakdown:
💰 Monthly expenses
Category | Monthly (€) |
Rent | 700 - 1.200 |
Food | 250 - 400 |
Public Transport / Mobility | 50 - 100 |
Leisure & Hobbies | 100 - 300 |
Clothing & Grooming | 50 - 200 |
Subscriptions & Streaming | 20 - 50 |
Investments / Savings | 100 - 500 |
Misc. / Buffer | 100 – 200 |
Total (net) | 1.370 – 2.950 |
Yearly (net) | 16k – 35k |
Gross salary goal | 30k – 52k |
How much gross do you need?
Quick rule: net pay times 1.5 equals gross salary target
Example:
You want
€2,500 net pay
→ €2,500 times 1.5 equals €3,750 gross salary per month
→ Around €45,000 gross salary per year
That’s a realistic entry point for many roles across Marketing, HR, Finance, Sales and Consulting with a bachelor’s degree in most metropolitan areas. You should research what a typical salary is in your field.
Pro tip: Never go below your fixed costs plus buffer. Aim 2 to 3k higher and be ready to negotiate down. Frame it as a conscious decision because the role and company are worth it.
Your mindset when negotiating
Get clear on this:
How much do you want this job?
What kind of learning and responsibility will you get?
What’s the long-term development potential?
A great job with a strong team, good leadership and room to grow beats a shiny logo or vague bonus promise.
Keep talking: Your growth engine in year one
No raise after 12 months
→ Ask for one. Not bluntly. Strategically. Try this:
“I’ve hit my goals over the past year, taken on responsibility and delivered XYZ. Can we talk about adjusting my salary?”
No development in sight
→ Ask: “What would I need to achieve to reach the next level”
Then: define SMART goals.
Structured mentoring can help you reach these goals more effectively and accelerate your development.
👉 Take a look at our mentoring program and get the push you need.
Bottom line: Reflect, calculate, negotiate
Know your career goals
Research your value
Calculate your needs
Then you’ll know what salary to aim for at the start.
Start strong. Grow fast. Make impact early. That’s what leads to real money later.
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