Some surprising findings on secret experience of salary negotiations
Here’s a little secret for you: most employers don’t make a very convincing first job offer, and only candidates with enough courage to negotiate that first offer will have a chance at earning more in the long run. In case you didn’t know, those who ask for a better salary package are often perceived to be risk-takers; they exude positivism, determination and a strong character. Even if they don’t get a raise, the mere fact that they made an attempt to bargain says a lot about their personality.
How to approach the money problem
During a job interview, it’s not a good idea to ask about money unless the hiring manager brings up the issue first. Even though we all want to make more, no employer wishes to hire a candidate who’s motivated solely by higher salary. So what’s the golden answer to the trivial question “what salary expectations do you have?”
A job seeker will know the average amount of cash a certain job offer pays. He will also know if the company is open for negotiations, or not. You are advised to offer a range, and not provide a fixed amount. Why take the unnecessary risk of saying a lower rate than they would have given you. Of course, don’t ask for a colossal rate either; there’s plenty of time for additional negotiation after having received the job.
Trust your gut
Very few candidates trust their instincts when negotiating a salary, not even those with prior experience. Why? Because we still live in tough economic times, and many people don’t want to negotiate. They fear that HR will retract their initial offer if they attempt to bargain. That’s not true, and entering a job interview believing that you must accept whatever deal is on the table is wrong. Trust your instincts, ask for what you should receive and a response from HR might surprise you.
Sell yourself
As the job interview and negotiation process advance, remind your potential employer how much your expertise and skills can benefit their bottom line. Talk about qualities that you have, and explain in plain words what you would do to help them boost productivity. Focus the whole negotiation on their needs, and discuss better financial incentives by keeping the meeting centered on them. If you can make them understand that what you’re offering is worth the extra $10,000 you asked on a salary negotiation; you won’t just land a job, you’ll land a well-paid job because you sold yourself.
Be creative, negotiate extra perks
Sometimes employers can’t afford to make you a better offer. In this case, you have two options: if you don’t want to work for them, it’s ok to decline their initial job offer and leave; but if you really want to work for that company, you can always bargain non-financial perks. For example, you can bargain flexible working hours on Fridays, holiday days, training seminars, or bonuses based on work performance. Think about what it like this – I want to work for this company but they can’t offer me more money. This means they can offer me something else if they really want to benefit from my services. Even a comfortable workspace can go a very long way.
Confidence – your ultimate weapon
Nothing beats confidence in business negotiations, and it is important to use that trait if you want to land a sweet deal. If you’re compelled to make a salary request, don’t state over and over again why it is a justified amount. Make sure your request and offer are based on simple, short explanations. This exudes confidence and determination. Negotiating a salary doesn’t have to be a dreadful endeavor. Hiring managers are constantly looking for talented candidates, people with great potential. So stop worrying that if you bargain an initial job offer, they’ll blow you off.
The key to winning salary negotiations is to trust yourself. It’s as simple as that; argument your claims and quit doubting your instincts. Provided that you’re informed and confident that you’ve got what they need, you have the advantage. Major companies are more than willing to make better offers for great talent – do you have something they want? Then use that as leverage to negotiate a more profitable job offer.
By Steve Brown and TheGapPartnership.com!