You’ve nailed the interview and received a job offer––now what? Talking about money in any context can be tricky, and it’s especially daunting to negotiate a salary once you’ve been made an offer. It’s important to stay cordial, yet be sure you will be compensated appropriately for your work with room for growth. Negotiation is a key part of any job hunt to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Here are some of the best tips to make your salary negotiation discussion go as smoothly as possible.
Begin with gratitude and enthusiasm.
Congratulations—you’ve received an offer! Even if the salary isn’t exactly what you wanted, respond with appropriate gratitude and enthusiasm. Let your employer know that you are thrilled to have received an offer, then transition by telling them you were hoping to see a higher salary number. From there, you can get into the specifics, but only after you have a conversation and show that you are appreciative of the initial offer.
Wait for your employer to bring up money.
Don’t bring up salary unless the employer asks or brings it up first. While you may be eager to get started on negotiations, it’s crucial to understand the complexity of your offer first, including benefits and other add-ons or perks. First, show enthusiasm about the position itself, and once the employer begins talking numbers, bring your research and counteroffers.
Do your research.
The only way you’ll stand your ground during negotiations is if you do your research first and come prepared. Look into the position you’re applying to and the region you’re in to compare salary offers to that of others in similar positions. Begin with a salary range, then narrow that down to a more specific number. Make sure you have researched what compensation is expected and deserved as determined by other professionals in this role and other roles like it.
Be clear that you will accept the offer if it meets your standards.
Make sure that you are clear with your intentions before beginning the negotiation process. It’s not appropriate to begin in-depth salary negotiations if you are most likely not going to accept this offer. Employers most likely don’t want to engage in if they’re unsure if the candidate will even accept the offer they are taking the time to go back and forth with.
Have specific numbers and justification.
When you go back to the employer with your counteroffer, be prepared with specific numbers and justification for why you’re asking for that amount. Make sure you have an understanding of all of the benefits and perks your offer includes before making a counter. If you’re not satisfied with what your employer offers, have a firm number in mind to give back to them. Provide at least three explanations for why you feel your counteroffer is more appropriate, and make each one specific. Use a combination of the position requirements and how you have handled these in the past detailing the work it takes to achieve success. Highlight your experience and explain both how and why it would be beneficial to both the employer and the company to start you at a higher salary.
Take time if you need it.
Sometimes, you can be offered a job on the spot in an interview. If you need it, make sure you take the time to think over the offer that has been made. It is completely acceptable and appropriate to ask an employer to take 24 hours to review the offer to formulate questions. If you’re working with a recruiter, this time can allow you to run the offer by them so you can ensure that both you and the employer are in agreement about the position, the expectations, and the salary.
Negotiate room for growth.
In addition to negotiating numbers, it’s beneficial to negotiate room for growth with your employer. In your initial negotiations, ask to incorporate yearly performance evaluations into your contract. These evaluations can provide definitive proof of your work and success for the company, which will allow you to have foundational support if you choose to ask for a raise in the future.
Work with a recruiter.
If you have been working with a recruiter to secure this role, make sure you continue to contact them for salary negotiations. It’s best to delegate all salary negotiations to a recruiter so they can remain the middle man between clients and candidates. Give your recruiter a salary range with a minimum number and your ideal number. Your recruiter will take it from there and will find jobs that fall within your salary range.
Understand your employer’s capabilities and limitations.
Do research on the current market in your industry and the financial background of the company you’re applying to before beginning negotiations. Having an understanding of the company’s position can allow you to make an attainable counter offer. Sometimes, a company will not have the resources to give you exactly what you’re looking for. It’s important to understand their limitations and capabilities to make a counteroffer that fulfills your goals but is appropriate and attainable for the company to provide.
Know when to negotiate, and when not to.
Before deciding to begin negotiations, be sure that you’ve considered the whole package that you’ve been offered. In addition to perks and benefits, think about how work culture and your desire to work in the company’s environment appeals to you. Look at the big picture, not just the number you’re offered. If the role you’ve been offered or are aiming for is very competitive, trying to negotiate can have a negative impact. If you’re working with a recruiter, they can provide good insight into how the employer might respond to your counter offers and desire to negotiate. If you decide to negotiate, be sure to consider the long-term potential that the role offers, and whether or not the company might have room in their budget to offer you a higher salary. If you are satisfied with everything the company has to offer aside from their initial salary offer, it might be best to decide against pursuing negotiation. Sometimes taking an offer that is lower than you expected, but has room for future growth, can put you in a better position later on.
Be truthful.
Make sure that if you are negotiating with an employer that you are being completely truthful. Honesty is the best policy. When negotiating, be sure to be transparent about your needs and be patient with their responses. Sometimes, you might be put on the spot or asked difficult questions, like those regarding your likelihood to accept an offer at the company. In these circumstances, answer as honestly and specifically as possible. You don’t want any deception to come back to hurt you, which it frequently can.