You have done all the hard yards, writing your cover letter and resume, nailing that interview.
You have just been told you are the successful candidate. How do you make sure that you get the salary that you want and be confident is asking for a pay rise.
You should always negotiate your salary when starting a new job. Asking for a pay rise can be very nerve-racking.
Your starting salary is the basis for your salary history over the course of your employment.
It is the number that all of your future pay rises will be based on.
Research the company and the position before asking for a pay rise.
Sites like LinkedIn can provide background on the company and compensation levels for the position you’re interested in.
If you are going through a recruiter, they will be able to give you some insights in regards to your expectations.
The best time to negotiate a salary is right after you’ve been offered the job.
Your new employer is excited about hiring you, and it’s your opportunity to be forward about what you’re looking for in compensation.
Once the hiring manager has told you the starting salary and it isn’t what you expected, start off by saying: “I’m excited about working here.
I know I’ll bring a lot of value to the team.
While I appreciate the offer, I expected to be in the $70,000 range based on my experience and past performance.
How about a salary of $70,000 for this position?”
At this point, a hiring manager may provide you with a counter-offer.
Or just state that the company has already offered you the entire amount budgeted for the position.
Reiterate why you believe you deserve a higher salary, saying something like: “I understand where you’re coming from.
I want to let you know that I am really excited about working with you.
My skills are well suited for the job and they’re worth the amount I offered.”
Next, just wait.
Let there be silence.
Don’t be scared about it.
No need for any more justification.
Your employer may come back to you with an offer in the middle, even if he or she asks for some time to consider.
Be polite and humble: you don’t want to come across as arrogant, but you do want to appear confident.
Come prepared with examples that illustrate your accomplishments and your values, and stand your ground when you make a statement.
If you’ve reached the limit of what salary they are able to offer, remember that there are other ways to get additional compensation.
You may be able to negotiate a better benefits, stock options, or an annual performance bonus.
This may have a bigger impact on your overall income or quality of life than a few extra thousand dollars per year.
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