PERSONAL INFO
- Age: 23
- Degree: Bachelor’s in software engineering
- Experience: None (completed 4-month internship)
- Status: Single
COMPANY DETAILS
- Field: Technology
- Size: 300 - 400 employees
- International: NO
JOB SPECIFICS
- Position: Backend developer (entry level)
- Role: Maintaining server-side applications with occasional cloud and infrastructure tasks
- Experience level: Entry
- Standard hours: 40/week
- Actual hours: Unknown at this point
- Schedule: Standard business hours
- Emergency calls: NO
- PTO: 30 days annually
COMPENSATION
- Monthly gross: 2200
- Monthly net: 1900 (estimated)
- Additional benefits: TBD
- Transportation allowance: None
- Year-end bonus: Complete
- Food vouchers: 5.50 EURO daily
- Green vouchers: 200 EURO annually
- Insurance: Included
LOCATION & TRANSPORT
- Work location: Antwerp region
- Commute time: 25 minutes
- Transportation: Personal vehicle
- Travel reimbursement: TBD
Question:
I finished my degree in March and have been job hunting since then. After getting turned down by 6 companies, I finally got this offer. When I look at other salary posts here, it seems like this might be below average for someone starting out. What do you think about this package?
I’m torn between accepting this and continuing my search for something better. The job market seems pretty tough right now for new grads, so maybe I should take this to get some real work experience and then look for better opportunities later?
What’s the company culture like there? did you get to meet the team during interviews? sometimes a supportive environment can be worth more than extra cash when you’re starting out. also curious - what kind of backend tech stack are they using? if it’s modern stuff that’s in demand, could really boost your resume for the next move.
Taking your first offer after six rejections is completely understandable, especially in today’s competitive market for new graduates. While the salary might seem modest compared to some posts you’ve seen, remember that those often represent outliers or different markets entirely. Your package includes solid benefits like 30 days PTO and daily food vouchers, which add real value beyond the base salary. The opportunity to work with cloud and infrastructure tasks alongside backend development will broaden your skill set significantly. I was in a similar position three years ago and took what seemed like a lower offer. That experience became the foundation for landing a much better role eighteen months later. The key is using this position strategically to build concrete skills and professional relationships. Given the current job market reality for entry-level positions, securing stable employment with growth potential often outweighs holding out for the perfect package that may not materialize.
honestly for first job this looks decent enough. 30 days pto is pretty good and you got rejected 6 times already so the market is tough rn. i’d probably take it and jump ship after 1-2 years once you have some experiance under your belt. staying unemployed longer might hurt more than taking slightly lower salary