Knowing how to negotiate a higher salary is essential for any professional. Along with helping you navigate job offers to make sure you get the highest possible starting pay, it ensures you can secure competitive raises when the opportunity arises.
While negotiating a higher salary is tricky, it’s far simpler if you follow the proper best practices. Here are five tips to get you started.
1. Research Is Your Ally
Research makes all of the difference when you’re preparing to negotiate a salary. First, it lets you find out more about your value on the market. You can dig into average pay rates in your area and field based on your skill and experience level. Then, you’ll have data to back up your request if you’re underpaid.
Second, presenting an enticing employee value proposition is an essential part of the equation. With research, you’ll be able to provide evidence about your capabilities and the value they provide with greater ease, increasing the odds that the hiring manager will move forward with your request.
2. Never Broach Salary in Passing
Salary discussions aren’t something that should happen randomly. Catching your manager in the hallway as they’re heading to a meeting isn’t going to generate positive results. Instead, the ill-timed effort is going to be pushed aside. Plus, it may make a poor impression, making it harder to succeed.
Generally speaking, salary negotiations should happen during formal meetings relating to job offers or regarding your career. Not only does that ensure that you can prepare in advance, but it guarantees you have the manager’s full attention.
3. Navigate the Conversation Correctly
Overall, it’s better to begin the conversation by discussing the value you bring or the results you’ve delivered. That primes the manager, essentially ensuring they recall why you are (or would be) an asset to the team.
As you talk, focus on portraying confidence. While you don’t want to cross into braggart territory, being assertive about your research and past successes shows that you understand your value.
Once you’ve done that, it’s still not time to broach the topic of salary. Instead, you may want to ask some questions to gauge the situation. You can ask if the manager feels you’re exceeding expectations. Follow that up with questions about the future of the department and how you can help them achieve critical goals.
After that, you should have a solid feel for how you’re viewed and the current mood. If the moment seems right, you can then present the idea of a raise.
4. Present the Right Number
In most cases, you shouldn’t start a salary negotiation with the number you’re willing to accept. Instead, you want to lean toward the high end of the justifiable range. That gives you space to negotiate down to a number you’re happy with while letting the manager feel they’ve also secured a win.
Additionally, present a precise figure when you negotiate. A number like $52,280 feels far more intentional and well-researched than $52,000, which could work in your favor.
5. Be Prepared to Walk Away
If your request for a higher salary is justified but is still denied, then you may need to rethink your employment options. For starting salaries at new jobs, walking away and continuing your search might be your best bet. For your current role, it could signal that it’s time to launch a job search, ensuring you can move forward.
Contact Selectek Today
If you’re ready for a new role, the team at Selectek wants to hear from you. Contact us to learn more about career-boosting opportunities in the area today.
