How To Negotiate Salary by sas_jonathan

1. Don't negotiate salary at interview

Whilst both you and a prospective employer might be keen to agree salary at interview, don't bring it up. Usually before you apply for any job there will be a guide to what salary is on offer. If you're asked what salary is on offer simply state "The practical details can be worked out at a later date"

Not discussing salary at interview will improve their respect for you as it gives the impression that salary is less important than the role itself, even if it isn't. You interviewers will be left with a positive impression of you and are more likely to offer a good salary because of it.

2. Always turn down the first salary offer

This needs to be done diplomatically. When they call you and make a salary offer, thank them for the call and stress how excited you are by the prospect of working for them, but explain that you need to think it over. Call them back the following morning and explain that whilst you like the job and the organisation the salary offered was a little lower than expected. Tell them that if they make a final improved offer that you will take the job.

This works like a charm and I've seen people get up to $4,000 more on their basic salary for politely turning down the first salary offer made to them.

3. Speak to the decision maker

Most large companies have Human Resource departments that deal with recruitment and make job offers. They are usually rigid salary bands that they will stick to when making you an offer, but these people have little input on organisational affairs and don't know your true potential value to the organisation.

If you get an offer you are disappointed with and the HR department refuses to increase it then go to the real decision maker, the hiring manager. Usually the hiring manager, whom you will inevitably work for, will have interviewed you along side a member of HR staff and it is they who have the real power. Call the switchboard and ask to speak to the hiring manager who interviewed you. Be really polite and explain that the purpose of the call was to thank them for their time at interview and that it is a shame that the offer made by the HR department wasn't enough for you to take the job, as you were looking forward to joining the company. Nine times out of ten you'll receive a call from the Human Resources department within 48 hours, who having been contacted by the hiring manager, want to make a revised offer that is much closer to what you were expecting.

4. Provide Evidence of Market Rates

Usually employers make a salary offer based on what they think you are worth to their organisation. If you want to get an improved salary you need to demonstrate that what you are asking for is not unreasonable and is the going market rate. Visit an online job search site like www.monster.com and check out what other people doing your job are being paid by other companies. Print off this information and take it with you to salary negotiations to evidence your claims.

5. Read Recruitment Magazines in the office

If you are already in employment and are approaching a salary renegotiation period start taking recruitment magazines into work with you and reading them during your lunch break in the office. Ideally circle a few jobs similar to your own and leave that page open on your desk. I guarantee that word will soon spread that you are keeping a look out for a new job. When it comes to your turn to negotiate salary you will have put yourself in a strong position with management to get an improved basic wage.