How to negotiate a better salary -
A CV Centre Guide
Salary Negotiation
Salary
negotiations are often entered into when you are applying for a new job,
and can be one of the most difficult stages of the interview process.
However, if you make sure that you are fully prepared to deal with the
salary question, you should be able to ensure that the negotiations are
successfully concluded.
Market Research
The first step is to research the kind of salary usually paid for the
type of position that you are applying for. This ensures that your salary
expectations are realistic and that the offer that you eventually accept
is in line with current market levels. However, you must also bear in
mind how much you need to earn in order to support yourself and your family.
Negotiating for a new job
As a general rule, the interviewer should be the one to broach the subject
of salary and, although they should dictate when the question is asked,
you should make sure that you have a full understanding of what the job
entails before reaching an agreement. Indeed, it is often advisable to
avoid salary negotiations altogether until a formal job offer has been
received. Make sure that the interviewer is fully aware of your particular
skills and experiences and that you detail exactly how you intend to add
value to the role.
Once the interviewer has made their offer, find out what else is included
in the package. Bonus payments, share options, staff discounts and training
opportunities can make a relatively low basic salary seem much more attractive.
It will make the salary negotiations proceed much more smoothly if the
atmosphere is a friendly one. Try not to let the discussions become at
all heated, and demonstrate to the interviewer that you are willing to
work with them to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
Considering the offer
Make sure that you give a salary offer due consideration before accepting
or declining it. If you believe that the salary offer is too low, let
the interviewer know that this is the reason why you want to take some
time to think about it. They will often give you an indication as to whether
or not there is any degree of flexibility in their offer. If you do decide
to accept the offer, make sure that the full details are confirmed in
writing. If, however, you choose to reject an offer, try to do this in
a professional and friendly manner. Just because this particular offer
was not acceptable, this does not necessarily mean that you may not consider
employment with them in the future.
Negotiating within your current job
Sometimes, you may feel that your current job should command a higher
salary and that the time is right for you to negotiate a pay rise. If
so, similar basic rules apply as in the previously discussed interview
scenario, including researching the market to get a realistic idea of
the salary you should expect and also ensuring once again that your employer
realises the value you are bringing to the role.
When you decide to bring up the issue of a salary increase, schedule an
official appointment rather than just casually slipping it into the conversation.
In the meeting, concentrate on why you think your performance warrants
a pay increase, instead of simply comparing your salary with the salary
of your colleagues.
It is also a good idea to consider an offer of additional perks and benefits
rather than an actual salary rise and of course be careful not to react
badly if your request is refused for the time being. Make sure you continue
to perform well and perhaps even ask for advice as to how you might secure
a pay rise at the next salary review.
