You’ve made it to the final stages of the interviewing process and got an offer. But before you accept, it’s important to you that you get the salary you want.
Whether you’re familiar with negotiating salary or not, there are many techniques to learn. The more skilled you are at getting what you deserve, the more likely you’ll get your ideal salary.
Here are five things to keep in mind and say while negotiating your salary.
1. Write Down Your Thoughts Beforehand
Before going into a salary negotiation with guns blazing, first, you must know what you’re going to say.
If you think you can wing it, think again. It’s best to have a plan of action, or at least have an idea of what you’d like to say.
You should be able to back up why you think you deserve the salary you’re after. And it would help if you had examples of why your skills make you deserving of a higher salary.
Not having an idea of what to say isn’t going to help you get your desired pay. So write down your thoughts beforehand so you’ll know what to bring up during the meeting.
2. Mention a Salary Before the Employer Does
Say you found out you got the job. Whohoo! If at all possible, try to mention the salary you want before your soon-to-be employer does.
It’s wise to weave it into the discussion as opposed to just blurting it out. If the opportunity presents itself, bring it up before they do.
While discussing your pay, be upfront. If you’d like to get a salary that’s above what you got paid before, let them know.
Your past employer may not have given you an annual raise. Be open with them about that as well if that’s a significant factor. If you move forward with the job, you should feel confident that you’ll get an annual raise.
Being upfront and honest will ensure there aren’t any surprises down the road. Besides, the job must meet both parties’ expectations for it to be a good match.
And remember, before signing anything, you may want a lawyer to review the contract. That way, you’ll be clear of what the job entails and understand the specifics of your salary.
3. Let Them Know You Have Other Offers
Making a prospective employer jealous can be another effective way to negotiate salary. You may have been interviewing for other jobs and already have an offer or two. If you’re anxious to find out if a company will discuss salary, let them know, you have other offers.
Telling them you have another offer can speed things along. They might be quicker to make you an offer, and you’ll also come across as being in high demand.
That’s a good thing, especially if you want this job, in particular, to work out!
4. Mention Your Value in Quantifiable Terms
To get the salary you desire, a potential employer should know how valuable you’d be to them.
That’s why you should explain your value in quantifiable terms. An example of this would be to tell them how much money you saved a company you worked for. If you figured out a solution to a problem, tell them the specifics.
Another way to argue your value is by mentioning how much you increased a company’s revenue. For example, if you’re a doctor, you can say how you retained your patients and got more to come in. Your efforts led to your medical facility making more money.
Letting a company know you’d be a valuable asset to them will encourage them to give you a high-paying salary.
5. Don’t Answer Right Away
If you get a job and salary offer right away and they want you to start working ASAP, it’s okay to ponder things over. Even though the salary is excellent, you could want it to be better!
There’s no harm in negotiating further until you get the salary you deserve. Even if a company wants you to start working right away because that’s their timetable doesn’t mean you have to follow it. If you feel like there’s more to discuss, let them know.
If they really want to work with you, they should be willing to agree on your salary and a starting date.
Conclusion
You’ve worked hard for your degree and to where you’re at now professionally. Don’t settle for a job that won’t pay you what you deserve.
If you find a job you love, but it won’t pay enough, you may need to keep looking. You know your worth, and you shouldn’t let anyone sway you otherwise.
Keep these techniques in your back pocket and pull them out when it’s time to go after the salary you’re seeking!
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