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Negotiating your salary is a very important part of the job search
process. These negotiations can set the tone for your work life and experience
with an employer. Below are some are some tips to consider when negotiating
a salary. It is best to wait until after you receive a job offer, to start talking
about compensation. Since negotiating is a two-way street, try to achieve a
win-win situation. Everyone approaches this process differently, so use the
tips that work best for you. For help negotiating a salary offer:
Suggested tips for negotiating a salary
What to do if you can't compromise on compensation
Sample salary questions and answers
Suggested tips for negotiating a salary
- Know the salary you can
reasonably accept and expect for the type of position you seek in comparison
with your experience, education, and the industry wage standards. Use ISEEK
to Find Salary Information.
- Try and find out the
salary range for the position before the interview. Contacting the interviewer’s
secretary, the personnel office, or a networking contact that works in the
company may be helpful.
- It is not usually recommended
to accept an offer on the spot. Express your appreciation and strong interest
in the job. Request at least 24 hours to consider it, even when saying "Yes."
Ask any questions you need clarified.
- Assess the job offer
in terms of your needs, benefits, and long-term career and life goals. Talk
it over with someone you respect. Make a list of the pros and cons of the
job offer.
- Consider if the job description
is clear. Note your reporting relationships, authority, and advancement potential.
Keep asking questions until it is clearly understood. Careful thought and
consideration will only gain you respect.
- If you want the job,
make it clear that it is the job you want. If you are uncertain, state there
are some items you would like to discuss before you can accept the job. Suggest
meeting further to talk about the offer.
- Begin the negotiation with reasonable requests. Those requests could include
more money, Employee Benefits, tuition, training, more vacation
time, a flexible schedule, stock options, company car, on-site daycare, parking
privileges, etc.
- Negotiations should never
become emotional or hostile. Use your value, skills, experience, and education
to negotiate. Do not use your need for the job to negotiate.
- Listen carefully. If
the offer is less than you expected, let them know that, but state you are
still interested in the position if they want to reconsider their offer. Don’t
assume the first offer is fixed. Even if the interviewer tells you it is,
it rarely is.
- If the same figure is
offered a couple days later, it probably is the last offer. In that case,
you can ask for a salary review in six months to evaluate your performance
and value, or you can turn the job down, asking that they keep you in mind
for future openings paying more money.
- Even when saying "no,"
leave the door open to negotiation. (Do not use this to negotiate a higher
wage. When you say "no," be ready to lose the job forever.)
- When you reach an agreement, request the agreement in writing.
What to do if you can't compromise on compensation
- Let interviewers know
that although you are disappointed, you are still interested in working for
the employer.
- Be sure to thank them
for their time and interest. Reemphasize the fact that if future openings
occur, you would be interested.
- Find out if there are,
or might be, other openings they could suggest or other persons you could
contact.
- Many times the person
selected ends up turning the job down or does not work out. Keep the communication
line open, positive, and professional. This keeps your name in their mind
for the next opening or future opportunities.
- Ask if you could contact
them every three or four months to find out about future job openings.
- Stay positive. Congratulate
yourself. You did get the interview, which means the employer was interested
in you. Use positive self-talk.
- Learn from the experience.
Ask for feedback from the interviewer on what you could improve or do differently.
- Keep trying. This is
not the time to stop. Forge ahead. Act to stay in control of your job search.
- Remember the salesperson’s
motto: "No" is another step closer to "Yes."
- Do not despair. Getting turned down happens to all of us at some point in our lives.
Source: Creative
Job Search, Minnesota Department
of Employment and Economic Development.
Page last updated in August 2008.
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Interview and Negotiate
