How To Negotiate A Salary 15 Tips With Examples

The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is another great resource for researching salary ranges: https://www. bls. gov/ Check in with your friends, family members, and mentors, too! Anyone experienced in job-hunting may have some helpful tips and insights. [4] X Research source Be sure to factor in your experience and education as you research. You don’t want to undersell yourself!

Example question: “What other job offers do you have at the moment?”Example answer: “I’ve been in contact with a few other companies, but I haven’t made any final decisions yet. ” Example question: “Are you planning on accepting our offer?”Example answer: “I plan on giving your offer the time and consideration that I think it deserves. ” In some cases, you can negotiate your salary over email. In this case, you don’t have to worry as much about preparing for difficult questions beforehand.

Encourage your friend to ask you questions like “What makes you qualified for a higher salary?” or “Why do you think you deserve an increased hourly wage?” Practice different types of confident body language throughout these practice rehearsals, like keeping your palms face-up or standing with a wide stance. [7] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Business Review Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices Go to source

For instance, your baseline might be a 5% increase of your current salary. If the employer refuses to pay more than your current salary, you’d walk away from the negotiation. You could say “Thanks so much for taking the time to meet with me today. I really appreciate your offer, but it isn’t a good fit for me at this time. ” Be prepared to potentially walk away when negotiating a raise, too. Talking with your boss will help you understand what your employer values most, and if you’re a big priority to them. Walking away may be the best option if your current employer doesn’t treat you with the respect and importance you deserve. [9] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Business Review Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices Go to source

“I’m capable of anything. ” “I’m a strong, experienced, and talented individual who deserves to be paid fairly. ” “I’m great at staying calm in tough situations, and this is no exception. I’ve got this!”

Let’s say that you’re negotiating a raise for your hourly wage. One of your manager’s biggest stressors is not having enough staff to consistently cover more difficult shifts. In your negotiations, you could address this point by offering to take on some of these shifts in exchange for a higher wage. If the employer really values teamwork and cooperation, you could showcase different examples of all the times you were a team player.

Don’t be discouraged if the salary range is a bit lower than what you’re expecting. Employers tend to stick with lower numbers at the beginning of negotiations. The same logic applies if an employer asks you about your current salary. Instead of answering directly, ask “What have you budgeted for this job position?”[13] X Research source

Use your resume and cover sheet to your advantage, too! Point out some of the proudest, most impressive achievements that you have listed there. People often forget about what they bring to the table and end up almost negotiating against themselves when they’re in a lower-status position. [15] X Expert Source Jessica Notini, JDNegotiation & Mediation Coach Expert Interview. 27 March 2020.

What not to say: “I led a huge team of employees that created ground-breaking improvements at my past workplace. ” What to say: “I was part of a small task force that helped improve efficiency around the office. ” Don’t lie or fudge the details about things that are really easy to cross-reference, like your current salary. It can feel good to give yourself an extra boost at the moment, but that lie won’t do anything for your long-term credibility.

“What’s the estimated start date for this position?” “Does this position have a sign-on bonus?” “Would you mind telling me more about the benefits for this position? When would they be starting?” “Is this a negotiable offer?”[17] X Research source

We’re not talking about a long, awkward silence here—just a few seconds is enough to do the trick.

If flexibility is a big priority for you, you might negotiate a remote work-from-home plan, along with four-day work weeks. If benefits are your biggest priority, you could focus more on your paid time off and insurance benefits. A good benefits package can potentially make up for an underwhelming salary offer.

For example, mention that you’d like more paid time off, a larger bonus, and a longer parental leave period all at once rather than asking for each perk individually. Think back to all the salary research you did before the negotiation. What was the average salary range for your job position? Pick a high number from this range—just make sure that it’s within reason. [21] X Research source Even if your employer negotiates down, you’ll still end up with a higher salary than you might have gotten originally.

“Is there any way to get this offer in writing? We’ve had a really great discussion today, and I want to make sure I remember everything we decided on. ” “Would you mind putting this offer in writing? I’d love to have a physical copy of everything we went over. ”

“Thank you so much for your consideration and interest in me as a candidate. Would it be okay if I took a week to look over everything and weigh my options?” “I’m so grateful for the opportunity you’ve offered me here. Is it okay if I take a few days to think things over before committing to anything?”