Getting a job offer is a good feeling. You can quickly get excited and forget a crucial part of the hiring process; negotiating your salary.
For most people, this part of the process is intimidating. It can be hard to know where you stand and how much to ask for, but it’s essential to be confident in your own worth.
If salary negotiation is not your strong point, this article is for you. These tips can help make talking money with your potential employer a lot easier and help you get what you deserve.
1. Know the Market
The going pay for someone in your position is different depending on a variety of factors. Understanding these factors and which apply to this particular job offer will help you in your negotiating.
Location, size of the company, and duties and responsibilities will all change how much your position’s market value would be worth.
Positions in areas with a higher cost of living should offer a higher salary.
More prominent companies usually come with a larger hiring budget than smaller startups, so don’t forget to research the hiring company’s history.
If your new position would include a diverse and heavy workload with no assistant, the salary should reflect that. On the flip side, if you have a lighter load with plenty of helpers, you may not earn as much.
Keep these factors in mind during your salary negotiations.
2. Prepare to Present Your Value
We aren’t all in sales, but everyone needs to learn to sell themselves to land a job with fair compensation.
Learn to present your unique value in a respectful but convincing way. This requires walking a fine line. Employers are looking for that person with the right amount of confidence.
Too much, and you come off sounding arrogant. Not enough, and your potential employer won’t have confidence in you either.
Be ready to back up what you’re asking for as well. Talk about your achievements in past roles, certifications, years of experience, and any unique talents you bring to the table.
For example, if you are bilingual, this should certainly be highlighted. If you’ve had the opportunity to work with and learn from an expert in your field, bring this up.
3. Always Be Gracious
When people like you, they are more willing to make some exceptions. You’d be surprised to find out how many people are turned away simply because they were rude during negotiations.
Salary negotiations should compromise both employer and employee to settle on a number you are both happy with. It is not a time to be pushy, aggressive, or demanding.
Do your best to get what you deserve and if they don’t offer a number that will work for you, don’t argue with them. Kindly thank them for their time and walk away.
4. Get a Second Opinion
Depending on your industry, employment contracts can get super complicated. The wording involved can be hard to understand if you don’t have a law degree.
For this reason, many people get a contract review from a professional team of lawyers and financial advisors.
These professionals are equipped to read the language and notify you of any possible clauses that wouldn’t be in your best interest.
This contract review will give you peace of mind when signing on to a new position to ensure your financial and employment future is healthy.
5. Rehearse and Plan for Roadblocks
Instead of walking into negotiations blind, take the time to rehearse what you plan on saying. Say it out loud in front of a mirror. Rehearse with a friend or family member. Keep practicing until it feels like second nature to you.
Have an exact number that you are going to ask for that is based on solid research and have that research ready to back it up.
Even with the most rehearsed and well-planned salary negotiation speech, things can go south. So, plan for these roadblocks ahead of time.
If they offer lower than what you are willing to accept, maybe you would be willing to accept if they include bonuses or benefits. On the other hand, if they don’t want to include certain benefits, ask for an increase in pay.
Conclusion
Salary negotiations don’t have to make your palms sweat.
When you do your research, believe in your own worth, and rehearse your negotiation skills, you can walk into this discussion with confidence and hopefully walk out with an employment contract you’re excited about.
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