FindYourJobNow.com is more than just a technology platform designed to help you find a job… We also want to help you with resume writing and formatting tips, prepare you for your job interview by supplying you with typical questions and answers…
And we want to help put you in a position to get the best salary possible.
With that said, we’ve published dozens of articles on these topics, all of which are available to you for free. Today we’re going to focus on salary negotiations, the last step in the process, and believe it or not, sometimes the most stressful.
Now…
If you’ve recently been offered a job, congratulations.
We know you may have had a few rounds of interviews, and the company has chosen you over everyone else. Again, congrats!
But before you sign that employment contract, it’s important to know that your new employer may be willing to offer you more money than you think and is actually prepared to negotiate your salary with you.
It’s true.
In fact, a survey of employers showed that 73% of them expect you to negotiate your salary with them, even though only 55% of those who are offered a job actually do it.[1]
Yes, the thought of negotiating your salary may be stressful, but don’t worry… the employer is probably expecting you to ask for more than they offer, as noted by the facts above.
So, how much “wiggle” room do employers leave for salary negotiations after they make an offer? Well, it’s been shown that many employers will offer you 10-20% less than they’re actually willing to pay.
Meaning this…
If you don’t negotiate, you may be leaving a lot of money on the table.
It’s why you should definitely negotiate. It’s both expected, and you could make more money.
With all that said, here are some tips to help you get more money in your salary negotiation…
1: know the industry, salary standards and trends: Before negotiations, you should have a good idea of what the job typically pays, and which skills are needed to get top dollar. If you have a ton of the skills needed for top pay, and you know they’re offering you less than the industry standard, be sure to bring that up. They probably expect it.
2: Know your value: You beat out the other candidates for a reason. You should know, when you come into the negotiation, that you already have value to them. So, bring or show examples of extra value you have so your employer knows how much you’re really worth.
3: Know your bottom line. Employers, like we showed earlier, might lowball you right off the bat. You have to know what the minimum salary you’d accept is. If their offer is below your minimum, let them know that and counter higher. And use tips #1 and #2 to prove you’re worth it.
4: Don’t show your hand. It’s probably not a good idea to disclose your previous salary until you know what the new employer is willing to pay. At some point in your interview, you’ll likely be asked about the salary you’re seeking. Try to avoid answering it at this stage. You want them to make the first offer when the time comes. You don’t want to be the first to have a number.
5: Always counteroffer, always. Let’s say they offer you a very attractive salary right away. Counter it a bit higher. Even if it’s just 5% higher, ask for it and again, show your value.
6: Leave a paper trail: Once you’ve decided on what your counteroffer will be, send it to the employer via email so you both have a digital record of it. Your email should include not just the salary number, but all the reasons for your counter, especially your value to the company.
7: Don’t let it drag out: Keep countering if you’re close, but don’t drag it out too long. Remember, the employer does have other choices. So, if you’ve gone back and forth a bit and are very close to what you really want, consider taking it.
Of course, before any negotiations happen, you’ll need to find a job first.
To do that, simply Head over to our homepage at FindYourJobNow.com and use our advanced job search toolbar.
Just put in the kind of job you’re looking for and where you want to work, then click “View Jobs.”
It’s as simple as that!
[1] More than half of job candidates won’t negotiate salary | HRD America