So, you are on the job market to find your next fulfilling career and a pay raise. You finally get through the interview, but the salary offer is not what you were expecting. You are at a point in your career where you have a diverse set of skills and experiences that you can offer an employer in your industry, and your salary and benefits should reflect that.
Negotiating a salary can be a tedious process. It is about balance and clarification of what you have to offer the employer while working within the realms of what they can offer you based on the needs of the business. Maintaining balance is key. You will want to avoid looking too pushy, which could turn the employer off, but at the same time being engaged in the position is also essential. In addition to this, you will also want to look at your career status, whether you are gainfully employed, unemployed and looking, or looking to get out of a job that isn’t right for you.
Keep in view your likability
When you finally get the final job offer it is because the employer values your past experiences and generally sees you as a good fit for the team. At this point, you will want to avoid making any moves that will change this perception too much. And while you should always practice a positive demeanor in the workplace, it is important to keep the same persona when going through the negotiation process.
Avoid pointing out aspects of the job offer in a manner that seems nitpicky. Always look at the entire package beyond salary. Things to consider are insurance benefits, profit sharing, pensions, time off, commute to work, flex time, and work/life balance.
When going in to ask for more salary communicate in a manner that shows what you value the most. And don’t go in with just one question, then pile on a second question in a second email. Take your time to review the offer then ask for clarification or explain what would be ideal for you. For example, list your questions in an email from the most important to the least important. Let the employer know what would be ideal, without stretching it out too much. Things to remember are that in some cases the role could be at a salary cap (especially when there is a mass hiring for the same role), or there could be other things that the manager is not able to stretch.
Answering tough questions
Sometimes the employer might ask if you have other offers to see what else you have encountered in your job search. They might want to know how much the other position offers to gauge why you are asking for a higher salary.
They might also want to make sure that if they hire you, you will not be a flight risk if you get something better. The main point here is to simply be honest about your circumstances because you don’t want to be caught in a lie later on if you decide the accept the job you are being offered. Always genuinely answer questions because the employer might use this time to go forward and try to get to know more about you. Prepare beforehand with answers you might be asked during the negotiation process before going back with a counteroffer.
In addition to this, never give the employer an ultimatum. This can put a bad taste in their mouth and can look not so good on you. Remain calm and polite during a negotiation process, it shows tact and that you will know how to handle pressure well.
Ensure your satisfaction
Finally, ensure that what you are bargaining for meets your standards. It is also important to keep your ideas practical too, within industry norms. If you apply for a job that normally pays $40K per year, don’t go in saying you want $80K in the first year. What is important is to ensure that if you do accept the job, ensure that you are accepting a role that you will be truly happy in for the next few years and that it offers you an opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Getting a job offer is an exciting experience. Negotiating salary can be daunting. What is important to keep in mind is that you need to understand what you are looking for and what your circumstances are (i.e. whether or not you have a job at the moment). Always understand your values when applying for an opportunity to ensure that what you are applying for matches your needs. You always want to ensure that you end up in a position that can sustain you long term both personally and professionally.
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