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Negotiating Your Salary
Almost everyone feels like they are in a pressure cooker
when it comes to any type of bargaining, and salary
negotiation is no exception. But it doesn't have to be
that way. A little knowledge can turn the heat down
and give you confidence in this business discussion.
This guide is about sharpening your negotiating skills
with some insider tips on how employers think about
money and how you can ask for what you want.
Salary negotiation can be very uncomfortable. if you
have been out of work for quite a while, the idea of
being back in a job is so attractive you may not negotiate
your salary for fear you will not be hired. You may accept
any salary just to get back to work. Continue reading to
learn more about preparing yourself for this process.
Things to Consider When Negotiating Your Salary
When to Talk Salary
One approach is to avoid salary talk until after you
have a job offer. The other way is to find out up front
what the salary range is so you don't spend your time
on something you won't accept. Either way can work
for you. You have to figure out which style is good for
you and best in each situation. Be sure you are
comfortable with the method you choose.
Preparing for Negotiations
The "perfect job" you found isn't really perfect unless
it pays enough to support your lifestyle or at least pays
for the essentials. Before you start looking for a job,
you should know how much money you need to pay
the bills and to live comfortably.
Interviewing with a Small Company
In small companies and nonprofit businesses, salaries
are not usually fixed. In fact, many managers of small
organizations say they have a hard time deciding on a
fair wage. They want to offer reasonable pay in order
to attract good workers but they do not want to over
inflate overhead expenses.
Knowing the small business manager's concerns can
give you an opening in your negotiations. Provide the
employer with wage details for your job that will
educate him and support your salary request.
Be Flexible: Keep Your Options Open
Many times the interviewer will mention salary as if it is
set and not changeable. Do not agree or disagree.
Simply state, "This figure fits into my range." Using
this open-ended statement will allow you to continue
the interview with all your salary options open.
Try your best to avoid mentioning salary until you
receive a firm job offer. This will give you some more time to
gather information about the job and sell your skills to
the employer.
Postponing salary negotiation has several advantages.
Here are several to consider. You:
- May get a better salary offer than you expected.
- May avoid asking for too low a figure or end the
negotiation by asking for too much.
- May be able to discover the starting point of the
negotiation process.
Be Prepared
Practice your negotiation skills with family and friends
before your interview. Go into your interview with your
research done and your negotiation skills polished.
Remember that salary negotiation is not about
win/lose. It is a two-way process where you and the
employer are each trying to get what you need at the
best price. When that occurs, it is a win-win for both
parties.
Never Negotiate Salary over the Telephone
Negotiating over the telephone puts you at a
disadvantage. You cannot see the facial expressions of
the interviewer, so you are unable to learn valuable
information that could affect the discussion. Wait until
you have a firm job offer and then arrange for an
in-person interview to discuss salary.
Please send us a note with comments on this article or ideas for future stories.
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