Negotiation skills can help make your goals come true, such as seeking a raise, promotion or switching jobs. Start by conducting some research into salary ranges and creating your case.
If you do receive an offer, do not be afraid to negotiate for non-monetary benefits such as flexible scheduling or additional vacation days.
1. Know Your Worth
Negotiating salary and raises is a useful skill that can open many doors. From higher salaries, lateral moves, more PTO, or work-from-home options - learning how to do this tactfully will bring success!
Effective salary negotiations require knowing your own worth and being confident about it. Be ready to explain how your skills, experience and education warrant an increased salary offering.
Do your research online to see what people in your position are earning and make your case for a salary that reflects the current market rate for your role. Be sure to include benefits you bring such as revenue increases or successful projects you've led, when making this argument.
2. Know Your Options
Understanding where your hiring manager's flexibility lies is of utmost importance. For instance, if the company imposes tight restrictions on starting salaries such as a salary cap it may be impossible to negotiate a higher offer.
If the employer is open to negotiating on other perks such as education perks or PTO, focus your negotiations around those issues instead of salary negotiations. Doing this will keep conversations from becoming adversarial and increase your chances of success. If they refuse a salary increase, consider alternatives such as switching jobs or companies - just make sure that everything in writing. This may involve different jobs being considered instead.
3. Be Flexible
With living costs increasing exponentially, many employees are seeking raises to offset these rising costs - however, successful salary negotiations can be tricky to negotiate successfully.
One expert suggests avoiding surprising your boss with a pay raise at once or waiting until performance review time arrives to negotiate salaries. Instead, learn when salary negotiations typically occur within your organization and approach your boss several months ahead to discuss any opportunities for increased compensation.
Keep in mind that negotiations don't just involve money; other items, like vacation time and perks can often be more flexible with employers when negotiated non-monetaryly. Remember, successful salary negotiation should be seen as a joint effort between you and your employer in which both parties want the same thing: for you to be happy at their workplace.
4. Be Honest
As part of negotiations, it's crucial that you remain truthful when speaking to employers. Lying could result in you losing credibility or creating distrust among them which could make getting the salary that you desire more difficult.
Instead, be up front about what you are seeking in a new role and the contributions your skillset makes to a company. While naming specific figures might seem intimidating, having an idea of your preferences will help when negotiations start.
If you don't believe you're getting a fair deal, don't be intimidated into staying. Remember that negotiations should aim at finding solutions instead of aggravating conflicts - this applies equally for both sides involved.
5. Don’t Lose Your Cool
When negotiating, it's essential to remain calm at all times. Showing anger or acting like an infant could end up backfiring on you; moreover, this behavior could turn your boss or superior off in the long run and prevent you from receiving the raise that you desire and deserve.
Approach salary negotiations with an unflappable, professional attitude for maximum success. Being nervous or upset could put off negotiations altogether and weaken your confidence - leaving the negotiations feeling awkward or chaotic instead of successful.
Be mindful that much of your job satisfaction will depend on factors other than salary alone, including company culture, perks, opportunities for advancement and flexibility in work schedules. By being willing to negotiate on other areas you can increase your pay without appearing as pushover.
