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So you’re about to graduate college. And, get your first real job.

It can be scary.

But what do you know about working in the real world? What do you need to look for in a benefits package? What about a 401(k)? Is salary a negotiable thing? This article will try to outline the answers to both these and a few other questions that concern having a real job and working in the real world.

• 401(k) – A 401(k) is a retirement plan, offered by an employer, that allows employees to save a portion of their paycheck. Make sure to speak to your employer about what options they offer.
  
• Benefits – Benefits include things such as health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, vacation time, etc. They depend on how many hours a week you work, and vary from company to company. Check out http://www.benefitslink.com/ for more information.
  
• Salary – By the time you get a job after graduation, you

  By the time you get a job after graduation, you should probably be making more than minimum wage, which is $5.15 an hour.

  should probably be making more than minimum wage, which is $5.15 an hour. Salary can be paid either hourly or yearly. Employees who are paid by the hour are able to get paid overtime (time and a half or double time) for working more than 40 hours in a week. Salaried employees are those employees who get paid on a weekly or yearly basis and not by the hour. Such employees do not get paid overtime for working more than 40 hours a week. You can try negotiating your salary when you are first hired, but if you are having problems finding a job, just focus on finding a job that will help sustain your lifestyle.
  
• Promotions – In most companies, once a person starts working for the company they have the ability to move up the company ladder if they are performing well. So if you start at a low level (entry level) position in a really good company and are a good worker and the bosses like you, then eventually you can get promoted into a higher level position in that company. When you get a promotion you will usually get a pay raise as well, and sometimes you will even receive a better benefits package.
  
• Finances – Now

  Setting up a savings account at ING Direct is easy because you can start the account with as little as $1 and if you are referred by a friend you can get $25 added to your account.

  this has less to do with actually getting a job. But it would be a good idea to start a savings account when you get your first job and put a little bit of money in it each month. A really easy way to start a savings account is to go to http://www.ingdirect.com. Setting up a savings account at ING Direct is easy because you can start the account with as little as $1 and if you are referred by a friend you can get $25 added to your account.