Are you having trouble negotiating salary for your new job? You’re not alone.
We understand that it can seem like a complicated process. Most professionals agree that you should negotiate a suitable salary when starting a new job.
Don’t fret! We can help you out! In today’s article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to negotiate salary.
With our guide, you’ll be able to increase your starting pay by only following some tips.
Should You Accept the First Salary Offer?
Most companies don’t give you their best offer at first. That’s why you shouldn’t accept the first salary offer in most cases.
Many companies expect you to negotiate the salary. So, they start by giving you a lower number.
However, this isn’t applicable to all job offers. Typically, it’s best to do your research and figure out what other people with your title make in the industry.
In some cases, companies can give you a good offer at first, especially if you’re overqualified for the position.
In case you’re happy with the first offer, you can dig deeper to find out if there’s room for negotiation. You can still negotiate, but avoid haggling over little things.
Why Is It Important to Negotiate Salary?
Negotiating your salary is something that you don’t want to skip during the hiring process. Let me tell you why.
1. It’s a Normal Part of the Process
As we’ve mentioned, companies don’t give their best offer at first. There’s an increase in your salary waiting for you to ask for it. In other words, companies are expecting you to negotiate.
You’d be surprised that more than half of job candidates don’t take the chance to negotiate salary. These candidates miss out on some extra money.
It’s highly unlikely that you’ll lose a job offer just because you wanted to talk about money. So, negotiation won’t hurt you or cost you anything.
In fact, it can become a little difficult to discuss the salary after accepting a job offer. So, keep that in mind during your job search.
2. It’s Important to Your Work-Life Balance
According to a study from Glassdoor, U.S. employees could earn around $7,500 more per year if they negotiated their base salary.
Generally, the extra money can be essential in achieving a better work-life balance. We all have responsibilities, and with salary negotiation being that easy, it’s a step that you shouldn’t skip.
Overall, it’s totally acceptable to decline a job if the starting salary doesn’t reflect your skills and experience.
3. You Should Be Paid Adequately for Your Experience and Skills
Why do you think the salary isn’t suitable for experience? Your answer to this question can make or break your salary negotiation.
It’s essential to know your value, strengths, and biggest accomplishments. It’s best to include some examples of your expertise. Interviewers love a candidate that can show rather than tell.
Show the interviewer how you can add value to the company. Overall, the salary should reflect your experience and skills.
By counteroffering a salary offer, you can show that you know your value. On top of that, you’ll get a chance to show the employer your communication skills and people skills. Overall, companies prefer hiring someone who’s emotionally intelligent and knows their value.
4. It Can Help You Decide Whether or Not to Take a Job
Money isn’t everything, but it can help you decide whether or not this job is suitable for you. If you’re not happy with the salary and the company doesn’t accept your counteroffer, you can walk away from the offer.
5. It Can Show You How the Company Responds to Such Requests
This won’t be the last time you talk about money with the employer. You might need to negotiate a raise sometime in the future.
Overall, the way the company responds to your counteroffer can tell you a lot about how they deal with these matters. That can highly influence your decision about working in the company.
What Is the #1 Rule of Salary Negotiation?
The first and most important rule of salary negotiation is to not disclose your salary history or salary requirements. Let me tell you why.
There are many downsides to disclosing your salary to the interviewer. For starters, it can weaken your negotiating position.
Many candidates don’t like the vulnerability of disclosing their current salary to the new employer.
Your current salary can influence the range of the new salary, disregarding your experience level. Overall, it can put you in a weak position in the negotiation process.
In case you’re currently receiving a low salary, the employer is likely to offer you a salary that isn’t much higher.
How to Avoid Disclosing Salary during the Interview
Here are some examples of things you can say to avoid disclosing your salary:
- I look forward to discussing compensation once I’ve learned enough about the position.
- Based on my experience and the average salary for positions with a similar level of responsibility and scope in the country, I’m seeking a salary range of (range).
- My previous salary wasn’t reflective of the amount of experience I’ve gained throughout my working years, so I’m currently seeking (range).
- My current or previous employer considers salaries to be confidential information.
How to Negotiate Salary
Negotiating the salary depends on how you receive your job offer. Let’s check out different ways to negotiate salary.
How to Write a Salary Negotiation Email
After receiving the job offer letter, you can write a salary negotiation email. First, it’s essential to title your email. For example, the title can be “negotiating the salary.”
Second, when writing a counteroffer letter, you need to be professional and confident. Remember your value and experience.
The email should include a warm introduction and a thank you for the offer, followed by an indication that you want to discuss the salary.
After that, you can mention some of your past accomplishments and experiences. Finally, end the email with a polite conclusion.
How to Negotiate Salary in an Interview
Doing your research thoroughly before the interview is crucial. Don’t rush the discussion, as good timing is critical when it comes to negotiation.
More importantly, you can always rehearse the answers before the interview. In a one-on-one interview with the hiring manager, you usually don’t have enough time to think about your answers. So, figure out your answers before the interview to present a strong case.
It’s okay to ask for time to consider the offer. One essential aspect of salary negotiation is to always be reasonable and polite. When rejecting the initial offer, explain why you did so.
How to Negotiate Salary Over the Phone
Negotiating the salary over the phone is similar to one-on-one interviews. You have to do your research beforehand.
However, with your face and body language out of the picture, you need to watch your tone and tempo at all times. Speak slowly and clearly to avoid any misunderstanding.
What Not to Say in Salary Negotiation
There are some things that can make the negotiation go in a bad way if you say them. Let me tell you some essential salary negotiation tips and things you shouldn’t say during the process.
1. The Original Offer Works
You shouldn’t accept the first offer right away. There’s always room for negotiation. So, it’s essential to present a counteroffer.
2. My Current Salary Is
Disclosing your current salary isn’t a good idea. It can weaken your side in the negotiation process, especially if you’re receiving a relatively low salary.
Don’t fall for the “what’s your current salary” question, and avoid answering it directly.
3. Sorry
Saying sorry to the recruiter can show that you might be willing to back down. As we’ve mentioned, negotiating is a normal part of the process. So, you shouldn’t be apologizing for negotiating.
After all, the salary should reflect your experience and accomplishment. You have all the right to believe your value deserves a better salary.
4. No
“No” is a negative word, and it’s not a good word to use in a negotiation. Instead of saying no, you can say something more positive. For example, you can say: “I would be more comfortable with (salary range).”
Negative words can give the wrong impression and show that you’re not willing to collaborate.
5. I Want More
Although you’re negotiating for “more” money, you shouldn’t say anything like “I want more.” It can resemble greed or overconfidence.
You should be more specific. For example, you can say something along the lines of “I believe that I would be comfortable with a base salary of (salary range).
Wrapping Up
Salary negotiation is a critical skill that you should learn. Most companies expect you to negotiate anyway, and the initial offer isn’t always the best one.
Negotiation is a normal part of any hiring process. It’s also crucial to your work-life balance. Not to mention that you should be paid adequately for your experience and skills.
If you still have any questions, please leave them in the comment section!
Finally, don’t forget to reject the initial offer and present a counteroffer with a more reasonable salary. Good luck with your new job!
