Negotiating salary can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not sure of the best way to go about it. But if you go in with a plan and keep your goals in mind, you can position yourself to get the pay you have in mind (or close to it) without coming across as too aggressive.
In this article, Pocketbook Agency explains how to negotiate salary in an email. We’ll provide detailed tips on how to get the most out of your salary negotiations without jeopardizing your job opportunity. Then, we’ll let you know when it’s best to accept the proposed salary and when to push for more.
A salary negotiation email is a message sent to a prospective (or current) employer to discuss their wage and working conditions. The general template of the email will include a proposal outlining what the employee would like to receive in terms of pay and benefits.
It’s critical to be clear and concise when writing an initial salary negotiation email; you also want to be prepared for possible counter-offers from the employer.
Email is an excellent platform for salary negotiations because it’s a direct and efficient way to communicate with your potential employer. You can easily attach documents, such as your resume or past pay stubs, to provide evidence of your qualifications. Additionally, you can also send follow-up questions to ensure that both parties are on the same page.
Email negotiations also give you time to think through your responses and devise a well-thought-out strategy. This is important, especially if the company asks for a face-to-face salary negotiation (either in person or over a video call). Plus, email allows you to track the conversation and refer back to it later if needed.
Using email to negotiate a starting salary can benefit both you and your potential employer, but you must be proactive about preparing and creating your messages.
Here are a few strategies to keep in mind:
Before you even start drafting your email, do your homework and research the market average for your position. Conducting market research and learning the average salary for your potential job title will help you gauge what kind of increase is reasonable to ask for.
It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with your company’s budget and internal salary structure so that you have a better understanding of their salary expectations.
Try these tips for effective research:
– Use industry resources.
– Use salary calculators.
– Compare salaries online.
– Ask others in your field.
– Look at job postings of similar positions, and compare the listed salary to what you’re currently making.
– Research the company budget and employee salaries.
It’s essential to be direct and to the point when negotiating a salary increase via email. Your employer is likely very busy, so they’ll appreciate an email that gets straight to the point.
Be sure to mention what you’re currently being paid and your desired salary range going forward; ideally, you can give them a specific number! It’s also helpful to include a brief explanation of why you feel you deserve a raise. But try not to ramble on; keep your email short and sweet.
Once you’ve stated your case, don’t forget to include a call-to-action (CTA) in your email so that your employer knows what you want them to do next. Your CTA might be something like, “Can we schedule a call to discuss this further?” or “Can you let me know what your budget is for this position?”
Your CTA should be polite and professional, and it should always ask for what you want. The right sentence or phrase will prevent any confusion about what you would like the other person to do next.
You can also use a CTA to enhance your email salary negotiation with your current employer. For example, you might say something like, “I would appreciate it if we could discuss this further during my next performance review.” This gives them a specific task (in this case, scheduling a meeting) and puts the ball in their court.
When it comes time to negotiate your salary, it’s important to remember your own value. You deserve to be paid what you’re worth, and there’s no shame in asking for more. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and request the salary you deserve.
Remember, you have a lot to offer potential employers. Be confident in your skills and experience, and don’t be afraid to highlight them during negotiations. Stay calm and collected, and know that you’re worth every penny.
Always aim high and ask for a higher salary than you require for the job. You may be surprised at the company’s initial offer. Plus, aiming high can help strengthen your case and make it easier to negotiate a higher salary.
You have nothing to lose by asking for more money. If the employer says no, you can always walk away and look for a similar role elsewhere, then find a compromise (that may end up closer to the pay you expected). If they say yes, you’ll have increased your earning potential significantly.
When you’re negotiating your salary, ask about additional compensation that could help with your relocation. This might include having your potential employer cover your moving costs, help you transition to the area’s living costs (if they’re higher), or provide other types of compensation.
Factor in all the associated costs if you’re relocating for a job. Moving can be expensive, and it’s often difficult to find a home and adjust to higher living costs in a new city without spending a ton of money.
Some of the most common expenses in a benefits package for new employees include:
– Moving costs (including renting a truck, hiring movers, etc.)
– First and last month’s rent
– Security deposit
– Utility deposits
– Storage fees
– New furniture
If the potential employer is unwilling to cover all your relocation costs, see if there’s any way they can help at least partially. This could mean splitting the costs evenly or providing a reimbursement once you’ve moved.
Anything that helps reduce the financial burden of relocating is definitely worth asking for. Don’t hesitate to discuss this with your potential employer; it could make all the difference in whether or not you take the job.
Coming to an agreement is always ideal, but you must be ready to leave a negotiation if it’s not going your way. If you’re unable to reach a compromise, or if the other person is being unreasonable, it might be time to end your part of the hiring process.
Don’t be afraid to walk away from a bad deal. It’s better to hold out for what you deserve than to take a job that doesn’t pay enough. There are plenty of other opportunities out there, so don’t settle for less than you’re worth.
You know the key steps to negotiating your salary effectively through email, but you should also be mindful to avoid taking any of these actions:
As discussed, it’s essential to keep your email communication as clear and concise as possible. This way, the other person can easily understand the points you’re making and respond promptly.
A vague or confusing subject line can slow down the negotiation process and lead to misunderstandings. Be sure to clearly state what you’re discussing in the subject line so that the other person knows what to expect when they open your email. This will help ensure that both of you are on the same page and avoid any confusion or delays.
Always include the interviewer’s or hiring manager’s full name in your salary negotiation email (as well as the company name!). This shows that you’re intentionally personalizing the communication and demonstrates your respect for the person you’re speaking with.
Making sure you spell the interviewer’s or hiring manager’s name correctly is a small detail that can make a big impression. It shows that you’re thorough and care about getting things right — both crucial qualities in any employee. So take the time to get it right!
Remember that you’re asking for something from your employer in a salary negotiation email — not demanding it from them. Asking for a 10% raise might seem reasonable to you, but it’s not likely to happen if it’s not in line with your company’s budget or internal salary structure.
So instead of making demands, try phrasing things as requests (“I would appreciate it…”). This will increase the likelihood that your employer will be open to negotiating with you.
It’s especially important not to make demands when you’re trying to land a new job. Keep in mind that you haven’t yet developed a relationship with the company. While you want to get the pay and benefits you deserve, you don’t want to close the door to a promising opportunity — which can happen even if you’re the company’s first choice. You can be strong without coming across as unreasonable.
While salary is obviously a critical aspect of any job offer, it’s not the only thing that matters. When considering a job offer, consider other factors such as health insurance, vacation days, and retirement benefits. These benefits can have just as big of an impact on your overall quality of life as base salary does, so don’t forget about them.
Here are some of the most common benefits and perks that employees expect these days:
– Health insurance
– Paid time off
– Retirement benefits
– Flexible work hours
– Working from home
– Paid parental leave
– Tuition reimbursement
– Professional development opportunities
– Bonus opportunities (like a share of profits or a signing bonus)
It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and lowball yourself when negotiating salary via email (or any other way). But resist the temptation! Start off negotiations by asking for what you think you deserve (or more) — not what someone else thinks you deserve.
Remember that while it’s essential to know your market value, you’re the only one who knows how much work you put into your job and how well you can fulfill (or exceed) the job description. So don’t sell yourself short; ask for what you want!
While you don’t want to sell yourself short, you also don’t want to deliberately oversell yourself. Be honest and accurate about your skill set, value, and experience. Misrepresenting yourself not only can lead to a lower salary than you deserve; it can damage your reputation in the workplace and make it difficult to negotiate future salaries.
So, if you’re preparing for a salary negotiation, be sure to research the market value of your skills and experience and be honest about what you can bring to the table. By doing so, you’ll maintain your integrity and be in a much better position to get the pay you deserve.
Salary negotiations can be stressful, and it’s easy to get emotional or defensive. But it’s critical to remain calm and professional during this process. Similar to overselling your abilities, allowing your emotions to take over can damage your relationship with your potential (or current) employer and hinder your future career prospects.
Stay calm and focused as you negotiate your salary. Remember that the goal is to get the pay and benefits you deserve, not to prove that you’re the best employee ever. Stay positive and professional throughout the process, and you’re more likely to reach a satisfactory agreement.
Negotiating salary can be tricky business, but knowing what (and what not) to do will put you on track to getting the pay increase you deserve. Just remember to do your research beforehand, keep your email clear and concise, know your value, and follow the other tips above.
If you need some help landing those high-paying jobs in the first place, Pocketbook Agency is here for you! We specialize in connecting talented job seekers with top-notch employers that value their employees — so feel free to reach out to us today!
Sources:
Best Salary Comparison Sites of 2022 | MoneyUnder30
Employee Relocation Packages: Costs and Benefits | Business News Daily