Salary Negotiation Tips After Job Offer

Even when we do what we like, we prefer getting a high salary, so it is very important to be able to get the best terms, when discussing your salary with the employer.

To make sure your salary is wise, you need to research the market to learn what the average wages are and evaluate your own skills to make sure that your request is reasonable. Go on reading and learn everything you know about salary negotiations.

Definition

Salary negotiation is a discussion of the job offer with your potential employer to agree on the salary level and on the bonus package, which usually accompanies any offer.

To have a successful discussion, both sides should be interested in the result, as the employer should be willing to have a satisfied employee. That is why you should remember that you are on the same side and there is no need to turn aggressive or pushy.

Such negotiations should cover a variety of topics, including benefits, bonuses, vacation, sick leaves, insurance and the salary itself.

Tips on how to negotiate

Here are a few tips, which will help to make your negotiations as beneficial, as possible:

• Choose the time properly. If you enter the meeting room and start discussing your future salary, the employer will hardly want to continue the interview. Wait till he offers you the position and only then start negotiating;
• Use data. Before going to the meeting collect all the information about market’s average salary and provide the interviewer with your analysis. You should explain your numbers, based on the skills and experience you have. Never bring up personal reasons;
• Avoid naming the exact number. If the employer asks you, answer that the salary is discussable and is based on the compensation package, bonuses and of course on the variety of responsibilities you will be completing;
• Don’t be afraid to say ‘no’. If you don’t like the offer and have other options to choose from, say ‘no’ and you will most likely get a better offer (of course, if the employer thinks you are important for the company);
• Take some time to consider the offer. You don’t have to give the answer at once. Just make sure the employer is ready to wait a bit;
• Negotiate bonuses. Sometimes, when the salary can’t be changed, you can get better deals on a package of bonuses and benefits;
• Calculate your net pay. Simply by using an online calculator, you can see what your final paycheck will be and decide whether you are content with the sum or not;
• Don’t reject the job if you are crazy about it. Even though the salary is lower than you expected, you may accept it if it is what you have been looking for.

Discuss the salary raise

If you are already a part of the company and think that you deserve better terms, you will need a few tips to make sure you leave your boss’ office with the best offer:

• Be prepared. Start with collecting all the information you may need during negotiations. Such information may include salary surveys, statistics of the projects you have completed or any other important tasks you have done, and any data you find relevant. However, some employers have a limited budget and can raise salaries only several times per year. In such a case, you won’t be able to get a raise even if your performance is brilliant;
• Decide exactly what you want. You need to know what raise you are planning to have in advance. Provide your employer with all the reasons and make sure he understands your terms;
• Consider changes. If the company isn’t able to give you a raise at the moment, you can agree on changes in other terms, like increasing the number of days off, adding new conditions to the insurance and so on;
• Give your boss some time to think about your request. Most likely he or she will need to discuss your raise with managers and the human resource department. Don’t be pushy and show respect.

Unfortunately, there are situations, when companies simply can’t satisfy your salary requests. They may lack money or the budget is limiting salary payments. In addition, many companies don’t want to have salary inequalities, when several employees in the same position have different wages.

However, you will never know whether your negotiations will be successful until you try. In such a way, you will know that you did everything you could to improve your salary.
Keep in mind that your negotiations should be professional and you need to be flexible if employer’s reasoning is clearly stated. Always decide whether you love your job even if the salary remains the same.