Let's talk about salary

Talking about specific numbers regarding salary is always best left until after an offer of employment is made. The offer establishes that the company wants you. This gives you more power than you are likely to have again in this position.
To avoid talking about specifics too early, don’t bring up salary and if the interviewer does, try to deflect the question. If you state what your current salary is, you will be offered something slightly above that and nothing more. If you state a number or a range, you are suggesting you will accept that and, again, that is the highest offer you will get.

The question can come up as, “What salary are you looking for? What is your current salary or what is the salary range you are looking for?” Here are some answers that won’t give away your negotiating power.

1. “Salary is certainly important, but first I would like to get more information about my responsibilities .” (Then have specific questions prepared).
2. “What is the range you pay for this job? “”(Even if it is presented that the salary is open, all companies establish a range of pay they are willing to negotiate within).
3. I think we are in the same ballpark, but I would like to learn more about the job.” (Follow up with specific questions.)
4. If you can’t defer the question, name a range and be sure you would be happy with the low end of that range. You are implying you will take it with your answer.

Hopefully, you have been able to defer salary discussions until the offer is made and you are now in a salary negotiation conversation. Here some tips to help you prepare for the negotiation and to get the salary you want:

1. Researching your position is vital. You have to have information about what your skills and experience are worth in your market. Salary ranges vary from city to city and industry to industry. Research, as specifically as you can, the going rate for the job you are after. If you can, get information from inside the company about what range they are planning to offer. This has to be done discreetly, but will give you the best negotiating power.

2. Once an offer has been made, you want to establish a counter offer. There is a delicate balance here between being firm and flexible. State what you think you are worth and believe what you say! Your research about what your position is paying in the general market will come in handy here. You can point out that your request is well within the range of the salary being paid to other people in your position.

3. If you find that the salary negotiation has ended with a firm final offer that is below what you were hoping for, try to negotiate some non-cash compensation, like vacation, education assistance or an early performance review.

Always include in your remarks or requests how enthusiastic you are about the job and that you are confident you can provide them with superior results.



By: Becky Papp



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