Negotiating salary or asking is a skill that few people master. Every job seeker should attempt to negotiate but it is more than salary that should be your focus.
Few are consistent in getting the results from his or her employer. Preparation, as in any hiring or review phase, is critical in the salary negotiation process, and only a thread divides success and failure. It can affect your emotions and at times, fear the result.
To prepare for this stressful but needed phase of negotiating salary your accomplishments need to be front and center. If your negotiating a raise with a current employer gather reports that establish success and workload. In either case detail is critical, if not, overwhelming. Include salary research from sites such as, Salary.com, Glassdoor.com, and The Riley Guide Salary Guides & Guidance. Proving with facts is half the battle, and quantifying your accomplishments will always make a compelling case.
Use the CNN Money Calculator if you are locating: http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html)
The employer will likely consider the following:
· Level of the position
· Needed skills and experience (see: Great Demand for STEM Job Seekers Drives Up Pay)
· Career progression
· Fair market value
· Range of salary within the organization, industry, and region
· Economic conditions of the industry
· Company climate for raises and competitive salary
Now, having said that, you should NOT negotiate salary as the only means of satisfaction. There are a few other areas that should help you increase the value of your new job experience:
- Vacation and time off (negotiate your upcoming time here—paid or unpaid)
- Personal values (I have a lot to say about this soon)
- Flex time
- Work from home option?
- Future raises (“If I exceed expectations…”)
- Health insurance
- Retirement plans
- Bonuses and/or incentives
- Tuition reimbursement (find out what degrees are eligible)
- Stock options
- Other insurance (dental, life, etc.)
- Company car, laptop, or software
- Health club membership
- Professional memberships and certifications (Don’t assume the company pays!)
- Relocation?
Do you regularly negotiate? What are your experiences? Please share in the comment section below.
About Mark Anthony Dyson
I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.