<prompt> Human: I received a job offer out of college as a System Support Engineer with a company in my area. The pay scale started at X and I was offered X. The scale increases by experience. I have worked in a similar job through college for 1.25 years, and it should qualify as this experience is a main reason the new company hired me. My issue: I have no idea how to quantify this, and I am comfortable with the lowest pay offered. I know I am worth more, but right out of college, Im fearful that the company will not see it that way. I have no problem being direct if thats what it takes, but Im not sure how to get there. Any advice, or similar situations would be greatly appreciated!Thanks in advance guys and gals UPDATE: THEY CALLED SOONER THAN PLANNED. I asked for 11 and told them I would be comfortable meeting somewhere in the middle, and they accepted 11! You guys rock. Thank you for all of the help!UPDATE 2: I am happy with the outcome, but I should have stood my ground and asked firmly for what I want. There is some very valuable advice in these comments to anyone else in this situation! Thank you so much to all users who chipped in advice. im ready to be a big boy!!Assistant: The scale increases by experience.How? Take the experience that you believe should qualify, plug it into whatever scaleformulaliterature employer has on the subject, and thats what you counter. If they dont see it the same way as you, dont worry, I 100 guarantee theyll let you know. In all likelihood theyll split the baby, and sounds like youre fine with that. Take a deep breath and realize youre hot shit. You were told to call back with a counter offer. That means theyre expecting a counter offer. Absolutely nothing to fear in this situation. Human: thank you for the reassurance. my only concern is that I do not know how the company translates experience into pay, and no literature was given. feel like Im going in blind, which is ok!  <response>: Your first salary negotiation is always a bit weird. My only advice would be to counter, but be able to back up why you feel that number is accurate. Confidence is key. No matter what they say, act like you expected that response. Dont accept any number over the phone, but tell them you need 24-48 hours to consider it. Good luck! 