So you got the interview and you expect a job offer coming soon. Negotiating a good starting salary is important – it will serve as the base for all your future pay increases. Depending on your situation, you might just be desperate to get the job and don’t want to lose the offer by seeming greedy. Here are 8 Negotiation Tips for a higher starting salary you can use safely:
1 – Research the Position
Find out what the minimum wage is for the position. Also find out what the median and average income is. Research the company to find out if they expanding fast and making money or if they are stagnating and laying off employees in some sectors.
2 – Don’t spill the beans
If the application asks for a salary expectation – leave it blank. Don’t mention it on your Cover Letter either. If your expectations on paper are too high, you might get screened out in the early stages. If your expectations are too low, you might end up making $30k in a position that usually starts at $40k.
3 – Know your Value
Are you in demand? If other company are having difficulties filling these positions and your skills are in demand, your leverage should be used. If there are a ton of unemployed “insert your job here” and the company can have its pick of applicants, tread carefully.
4 – Let them talk about Salary
Don’t be the first one to bring up salary. If asked about compensation, just say you are looking for a mutually beneficial agreement. If they push, give your expected salary range and make clear that the range is still up for discussion.
5 – Show them your Value
During the interview and Salary negotiations make sure to mention your accomplishments at your previous employer. Tell them if you helped save costs, increase productivity or improved sales. Having you on their team will mean bigger profits, so they can safely pay you more.
6 – Keep your cool
When you see their offer keep your cool and keep quiet for a few moments. Show them you are considering the offer. If they are trying to low-ball you, this trick alone might force them to up their offer.
7 – Don’t get greedy
Know your range and make sure you can live with yourself if you walk away from this job. If the offer is low and you counter too high you might lose the offer – be reasonable in your expectations.
8 – Add Ons
Let’s say the salary offer is low and they won’t go up but you still want the job – in this case see if you can add value to your position by asking for a bonus under certain conditions, or a company car etc. The company might not budge on the salary but there might be some room somewhere else. Ask for this right after they make their stand on the salary. Having won one negotiation might make them more likely to agree to give you a small win.
