Whether you’re looking for a new job or seeking a raise at your current one, salary negotiation is a vital part of the process. Getting the salary you want requires a bit of planning and research, and you should also have a plan for what to do if an employer offers you less than your goal.
Recruiters and human-resources staffers typically conduct most negotiations on behalf of employees, so it’s important to understand what your role and industry is paying, and how you measure up in those numbers. The first step is figuring out your pay category, and building your case for the high end of that range.
Once you have a number in mind, practice your delivery with a mentor or business-savvy friend who can coach you on projecting confidence and answering any unforeseen questions that might arise during the conversation. It’s also a good idea to prepare a list of all the benefits you want, rank-ordered by their importance. That way, if the company says they can’t meet your salary demands, you can move the discussion to other items on the list, such as vacation time or education perks.
It’s important to remain firm and not fold during the conversation, but you should also be flexible enough to craft solutions that work for both parties. Having multiple ways to demonstrate your worth can help you build credibility and encourage the company to offer more money, says Zaccaria. For example, you can point to specific measurable achievements (such as quotas met or deadlines beaten), or examples of how your experience has helped the company improve in the past. Salary negotiation tips