Negotiating a Salary

From the moment you make initial contact with any company or organisation you wish to work with, you are in negotiation. You may not be discussing money openly, but you are making a permanent imprint on the mind of the hiring authorities. However, after all the interviews and the job offer, would you know what to say when negotiating salary? Many candidates find negotiating a salary a challenging process to overcome. Although these may seem like tricky conversations to have, here are some salary negotiation tips to make them successful. Just remember to delay all major salary negotiation discussions until there is an offer on the table.

• You are in the strongest salary negotiation position as soon as the offer is made.
• Know your value. You must know how you can contribute to the organisation. Establish this in the mind of the hiring manager as part of what to say when negotiating salary.
• Get employers enthusiastic about your candidacy, and they will become more generous.
• There is no substitute for preparation. If you are well prepared, you will be confident, self-assured, and poised for success.
• Prior to negotiating a salary, you should know the average salary paid for similar positions with other organisations in your geographic area.
• Before any salary negotiation, try to ascertain, as best you can, the salary range the company you’re interviewing with will pay, or what former employees were earning.
• As a preamble to negotiating a salary, take time to know your personal needs and requirements, and how they relate to the average salary paid in your geographical area and by the interviewing company.
• Salary negotiations must be win-win negotiations. If they’re not, everybody loses in the end.
• Be flexible – don’t get hung up on trivial issues, and always seek compromises when possible.
• Anticipate objections and prepare effective answers to these objections.
• Try to understand the employer’s point of view. Then plan a strategy to meet both the employer’s concerns and your needs.
• Don’t be afraid to negotiate out of fear of losing the offer. Most employers expect you to negotiate a salary – as long as you negotiate in a fair and reasonable manner.
• Always negotiate in a way that reflects your personality, character, and work ethic. Remain within your comfort zone.
• Never lose control. Remain enthusiastic and upbeat even if the salary negotiation gets a little hot. This might be your first test under fire.
• Play hardball only if you’re willing to walk away from, or lose, the deal.
• What you lose in the negotiations will most likely never be recovered. Don’t be careless in preparing for or conducting the negotiation.
• Be sure to get the offer and final agreement in writing.
• You should feel comfortable asking the employer for 24 to 48 hours to think about the deal if you need it.
• Never link salary to personal needs or problems. Compensation should always be linked to your value.
• Understand your leverage. Know if you are in a position of strength or weakness and negotiate intelligently – based on your personal situation.
•  End salary negotiations on a friendly and cheerful note.