For most professionals, salary negotiations are a necessary evil. When you take the time to ensure that your worker pay is fair and commensurate with your experience, it signals to employers that you know the value of your skills. According to a recent story from SFGate, the labor market is improving—which means that employers are more likely to have more budget flexibility for worker pay. By taking steps to prepare yourself, you can be more confident when the time comes to negotiate compensation.
One of the most important salary negotiation tips comes into play long before you secure an interview. If an application asks you to specify an acceptable salary, avoid entering a specific number. Instead, write "negotiable" or "open to negotiation." That way, you can avoid pricing yourself out of the competition.
Before you head into a worker pay negotiation, have a clear idea of a fair salary. Take into account your years of experience, education, and the unique skills you bring to the company. If possible, find companies of a similar size in the same region and find out what they pay people in your position. In doing so, you'll be able to recognize a fair offer and determine how much room you have for negotiation.
When it comes down to the actual negotiation, one key tactic is to make a counteroffer. Many professionals simply accept the first offer and move on. Instead, ask for a day or so to think about it and come back with a counteroffer that is near the top of the fair salary range. That way, you give the company some room to move but avoid settling for worker pay that is too low.
Keep in mind that you can negotiate more than base pay. Some companies may not be able to offer a great deal of extra money, but they may have room to give you additional perks. Depending on the job, consider asking the business to cover relocation costs, continuing education expenses, additional conference travel, or putting in a request for a new computer or tablet.
For many professionals, the most difficult part of negotiations is the interpersonal interactions. To make it easier to stay poised and confident, prepare yourself for all types of negotiators. Ask a friend to pose as the employer and run through scenarios with tough negotiation tactics and soft, friendly tactics. In both situations, find ways to work with the person while holding your ground and asking for what you want.
By preparing yourself for a negotiation, you can enter the process with confidence. As a result, it will be easier to negotiate a salary that is fair and satisfactory for both your employer--and you.
(Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net)
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