Job seeker
John Dickson,
50, Ajax, Ont.
Old reality: Operations manager, consumer packaging firm, earning about $100,000 with bonuses and perks. Downsized in December.
New reality: Hoping to use accounting background to work as a financial adviser. Willing to settle for $80,000.
Observations: "A lot of employees in my [former]sector have been forced to take a 10-per-cent reduction. ...I'd hope flexible hours, working from home and benefits would make up for [a lower salary]"
Advice to employees
Readjust: Don't dwell on what you might have earned last year or at your last job.
Stand down: Now is not a tough time to aggressively negotiate. If the job feels right, take it, perform well and hope for increases in better times.
Research: Find out the going rates for your job in your industry.
Salary isn't everything: Other perks might make up for lower pay.
Advice to employers
be competitive: Research typical salaries for your industry
Pay for performance: Pay for a job well done, rather than across-the-board salary increases. It's a more cost-effective way to keep staff motivated.
Reward in other ways:Look for non-monetary ways to entice people, such as the possibility of promotions, training or flexible work environments.
By the numbers
$40,000-$60,000
Salary expected by almost half of Canadian MBA job seekers online
$70,000
Average expectation two years ago
$26,000-$35,000 (U.S.)
Range U.S. grads expect for starting salaries
$36,000-$45,000 (U.S.)
Range grads expected last year
Sources: Maggie Austring, president of MBAjobs.ca, June data; Experience Inc.'s annual jobs survey, May.
Tavia Grant