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Negotiate your salary

Before you start negotiating about your salary it is time for some self-reflection. You have to ask yourself some simple questions: Did I carry out my work properly in the last period? Is my current salary market conform or is it higher / lower than normal? Why should my employer give me a salary increase? Will one be willing to give me a salary increase or will I bring myself into trouble by asking for it? In case you found a suitable and positive answer on all questions you have to make sure you start your preparations. Do not just start negotiating without any strategy. First do your homework, than get started.

 

Below you find some usefull tips from JOBZO.com, which will help you in finding the right way to negotiate your salary.

 

Tip 1: Make sure you talk to the right person

As soon as you want to initiate the negotiations about your salary you must make sure you talk to the right person. This is always your direct boss. He / She will make the decision and bypassing this person might bring you into trouble.

 

Tip 2: Be prepared, do your homework, set your goals

Do research on the internet and compare your salary to market standards. Is your salary higher than the market standards? In that case think twice and ask yourself what the real reason for your request is. Make sure you collect as much information as possible and set your goals. You should exactly know how much you want to earn in case the question is asked.

 

Tip 3: Make sure you have good arguments

There is a reason for you to request for a salary hike. That reason should not just be the money. You think you are worth more, make sure you have the arguments which prove so. Your request for a salary increase should be based on clear arguments and objective criteria. Make sure you know the industry standards, but also make sure you know about your own performance. Be realistic and start with self-reflection. Collect all documentation or make a list of your personal successes.

 

Tip 4: Timing

Is your company not doing well? Is your team underperforming? Have you recently been warned about your own performance? Is your department being downsized? Make sure the momentum of asking is the right one. Asking for a salary increase at the wrong moment might result in the opposite effect. Make sure your request is timed very well and does not harm your goals.

 

Tip 5: Make sure there is room for discussion

You should set realistic goals and aims and you should leave room for discussion. You should always requuest for more than you expect, but it goes without saying there is a limit to each request. Again you should set realistic goals. Make sure you aim higher and get what you want.

 

Tip 6: Be inventive, create a package of request

Most employees who start negotiations fully focus on the basic salary. As you know your salary more than just the basic component. Be inventive and try to gain as much advantage from creating a package which also is favourable in the fringe benefits. Most employees forget the fringe benefits and therefore miss some very good opportunities. You might ask your company to look after you phone bills, to increase your compensation for medical expenses, you might request for a bonus in case your performance is good. Make sure you have at least 5 scenarios, which might be convincing for your employer. Make sure your employer can not say “NO”. How to achieve that? By creating a win-win situation.

 

Tip 7: Win-Win situation

Not only you should gain advantage from the negotiations. It goes without saying in case your company pays you more, your company can expect more. Define your working package and point out what you want to return in favour to the company. How will you help the company forward and what will be the advantage for the company after the salary increase is given?

 

Tip 8: Make your request in person

Make sure you do your request in person. Do not send an email or an indirect request (through others) as thhat might give a cowardless impression. Direct contact results in less misunderstanding and more concrete results.

 

Tip 9: Listen

Before and during the negotiation it is important to listen. Besides giving arguments listening is the second most important thing during negotiations. Listen to the arguments and comments given and anticipate on it. Make sure he you arguments on counter arguments and make sure you have workd out all possible scenarios. Give positive feedback and make sure you are always charming. Do not get angry and be calm al the time. Do not get emotional, be rational all the time.

 

Tip 10: Get a confirmation in writing

As soon as the negotiating is over you must guarantee you get a written and signed confirmation of the result(s). You should avoid an ultimatum. However, you can be clear on your expectations. Take your time and aim for the best result.