When the excitement of receiving the final interview call fades down, the brutal reality strikes in – how to negotiate salary if they offer you the job? Salary negotiation is the foundation of the confidence that an employee carries with him/her every day at the job. Whether it’s a fresher trying to find his/her way in the industry or an experienced professional looking for the right value for his/her talent, the wits of an HR are enough to outsmart the smartest of minds. They are paid to do so.
When you feel like the HR is trying to undermine your value by asking questions like ‘how would you justify this amount of raise ss you are a fresher in the industry with no experience, explain why I should give you this hike?’ Take a deep breath and reply with the counterpoints that the salary negotiation tips in the list below explain.
How To Negotiate A Higher Salary?
The rule of the thumb for negotiating a higher salary is to conduct thorough research of the industry before going for the interview. It is empirical for a fresher to consult friends or relatives in the industry, or read on the internet about the average salary of the position he/she is applying for.
On the other hand, an experienced professional knows his/her worth before leaving the previous job. But, running a short search on the internet is always a good practise checking the value of your skills. Each one of the salary negotiation tips listed below will open your mind to possibilities and help you earn thousands more than you were initially offered. Remember, if you know your value, the HR will recognise it too.
1. Stay Away From Presuppositions
Almost every fresher makes the mistake of assuming a salary range for the position of his/her application without studying it. Most HRs begin the interview with the question of expected salary. If your number is lower than the market standards, the employers will catch your unawareness about the industry, and this will give you a negative point. However, if your number is on the higher end, you should back it up with some strong points that prove your worth for that amount. This is why it is wise to avoid assumptions while negotiating with HR.
2. Refrain From Hyperbolising
An HR deals with multiple applicants during his/her day. Any candidate that makes claims at the top of his/her hat comes under the eyes of the employer. Their selective acumen helps them in identifying the braggers from the doers. If your resume is full of extraordinary accomplishments, the HR will think twice before recruiting you if your interview doesn’t match the exceptionally high standards. Thus, you should focus on realistic goals and reflect those in your interview sessions.
3. Research
If all the other points in this list are kept on one side, this point will alone stand on the other side to balance the weight of its importance. That’s the kind of value that research has in salary negotiation. If you’re wondering how to negotiate salary, you must start with browsing the internet for the salary range of the professionals already working in your desired position. When you’re looking at the salary range, study the job responsibilities of the professionals and the general expectations of the company.
4. Learn More About Yourself
The question of ‘how to negotiate salary’ deviates a candidate from the main question, i.e. ‘why do I deserve this raise?’ To be prepared enough to answer this, take some time out to list out all your accomplishments. Mention next to them the experience that these individual achievements taught you. Instead of shying away from them, mention the setbacks that helped you grow as a person and as a professional. Now filter the ones that match the job profile that you’re applying for. Practise speaking them out loud. These mock interview sessions give you an edge over your competitors.
On the other hand, a salary negotiation email should list out all these experiences in bullet points. Be precise because lengthy emails increase the chance of staying unread by the HRs. If you want the important points to get the attention they deserve, keep them crisp and short. Highlight the lessons your experiences taught you and explain how it might give you an edge over your competitors in fulfilling the job responsibilities.
5. Keep A Safe Margin
People who don’t know how to negotiate salary with HR often end up with low annual salary packages. Once you know the salary range after conducting research, aim for the higher-end mentioned in that range. When the HR asks for a justification, start speaking about your experiences or accomplishments. This will help prove how the experiences will aid in providing efficient results for the company. Also, aiming for the higher end gives room for negotiation. In this way, when the employer asks for a slightly lower amount, it will be a win-win situation for you.
6. Offer A Dialogue
The most important tip that forms the perfect answer for how to negotiate salary with HR is empathy. You need to put yourself in the employer’s shoe to understand their restraints and expectations. Instead of making your interview a one-way process where the employer is the only one asking questions, ask his/her expectations for the ideal candidate for the job. Continue to ask about the company culture, employee satisfaction and perks of employment. With the use of this information, devise an offer that the employer will gladly accept. Explain how it would benefit them in the long run.
How To Negotiate A Higher Salary After A Job Offer?
Many people receive an offer from a competitive company while they are interviewing for another one. If the numbers on the offer letter don’t appeal to you, there is a bracket of time when you can express your concerns to the employer. Salary negotiation can get you the numbers your skills deserve. You will be impressed by the efficiency of these tips on how to negotiate a higher salary after a job offer.
1. Visually Show Your Contribution To The Industry With Reasons
For people drafting a salary negotiation email, leveraging graphic tools like graphs and statistics prove to be profitable in the long run. Make use of these tools to reduce the effort required in reading. This will add cherry points to your application.
2. Explain All Your Conditions Simultaneously
Instead of addressing your concerns one by one, it is important to highlight your priorities initially. Inform your employer about your sequence of priority for salary, location, work from home benefits or incentives. This will allow them to work over an acceptable offer for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Even after working out all the tips provided in this article, if your employer doesn’t budge from his/her initial offer, it’s time to rethink your decision to stay
- Consider the company’s culture, work environment, and the extra benefits that they are willing to offer
- Job satisfaction is sometimes more important than the little bracket of the raise that you were looking for
- After the negotiation, ask for some extra time to think about the offer and make your decision wisely