Salary Negotiation Tips
Show your experience and know-how
Put your past experiences on the table and let the employer see
exactly why you’re fit for the position. Hands-on experience is a very
efficient tool among our 20 salary negotiation tips.
 Put numbers where your mouth is
Flashing your past job titles isn’t enough; you must also demonstrate
exact examples of what you’ve accomplished. For example show your
employers that you’ve increased department sales by 20% and doubled your
productivity in six months.
Don’t ask about salary
One of the most basic and overlooked salary negotiation tips is to
make sure to let employers make the first offer; it is preferable to
push off any actual salary talk until after you’ve secured the position.
At that point, it’ll be much easier to negotiate since you’ll know that
the company wants you on board.
Show excitement about the position
Motivation is the key to good productivity. Be sincere about this
emotion and put on your happy face in order to show the employer that
the only thing stopping you from taking the job is the compensation.
Visualize yourself already having the job
Perceptual visualization is a great way to follow through and get
something done. See it happen and it will.
Don’t bring your personal life into the negotiation
Salary is only based on the company’s budget and your capability of
getting the tasks done. So, bringing up the fact that your dog needs an
operation or you want to get yourself the Breitling Cosmonaute watch
will not get you far.
Do your research about the position
When you walk into the room, you should know – from A to Z – what the
position entails, the skills required, the industry average salary, and
the market demand.
Know your worth
Match how much you’re asking to what you’re worth. If need be, tell
them what your compensation was/is at your old/current job and how much
your skills are worth on the market. Prove to them that you know what
price tag fits your skills, and use it as a bargaining tool.
Know your minimum expected salary
Employers expect to negotiate salaries with new employees, but figure
out beforehand how low you will go. And if you see the prospective
company is not able to match your minimum salary range, don’t be shy to
ask about employee packages or even turn down the offer.
Be prepared with alternative solutions to cash
Stock options, signing bonuses, expense accounts, profit sharing, and
performance raises are only some of the perks that can make up for
actual cash compensation.
Don’t be afraid to walk away
Taking your stuff, turning down the offer and leaving might just be
the best negotiation tactic. Show them you’re not scared to walk away
from the table; this will prove that you’re very capable of going
somewhere else and getting what you deserve. Act like you don’t need it,
and they might just give it to you. However, be prepared for them to let
you walk out the door and never call you again.
Sell yourself
The employer shops around for the perfect employee, the same way you
do when you’re out buying a car – you look for the best possible option
at the lowest cost. Paint him a picture of your skills and all of the
reasons why he should hire you.
Be comfortable with the employer
Avoid conflict. Be loose and friendly in your exchanges and let
things flow. You’ll be surprised at how receptive your employer might be
to this approach.
Be calm and in control
 The last thing your future boss wants to see is you throwing a fit
because you didn’t get what you wanted. Prove to him that you’re capable
of keeping your emotions in check, even when things don’t go your way.
Don’t necessarily turn down the first offer
Who knows? The first offer made might be exactly what you’re looking
for. But if it isn’t, remain quiet and indecisive, and the employer
might just make a higher offer to break the silence.
Be flexible about the hours
Although your potential employer may not be ready to offer you a
full-time position, always consider a part-time position, working from
home or any other flextime alternative.
Forecast other benefits
If you don’t get the salary you were expecting, don’t despair,
because the company may just have a salary cap, therefore must remain
within the budget. Ask about potential advancement within the company
and eventual raises.
Have a backup plan
If you see that negotiations are not going your way, whip out
additional reference letters, take a salary cut during the early stages,
or propose working from home to exempt the employer from having to set
up your office and hence extra costs. Whatever you do, improvise and be
ready to adapt.
Anticipate objections
The same way you prepare for a Q&A session at the end of a
presentation, cover all bases; be ready for any unusual inquiry from
your future employer.
Know exactly how to respond if he says, “you’re not qualified enough”
or “you’re asking for too much.” Roll with the punches.
- askmen.com
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