Did you know that 80 percent of job recruiters are willing to negotiate on salary, but only 30 percent of applicants do so?
It’s true. People are afraid to negotiate, especially when they are in the early position of landing a job. They are afraid of seeming too aggressive or greedy or of angering their new management.
But if you’ve been offered the job or already have the job, you have to understand that they want you, they value you, and you are in the perfect position to negotiate your salary. Here’s how to do it.
Find out what other people are making in your profession and industry. Websites like Payscale.com and Glassceiling.com are great resources. Find the averages of salaries in your industry and for your level of experience.
First, know your absolute bottom line. This is the lowest salary you will accept. Second, set your medium salary, a number that would be nice and comfortable. Third, set your ideal salary, the biggest number you can think of that is within the range of your position and industry.
The interviewer also knows that he or she shouldn’t go first, so chances are they will ask you what your salary requirements are. If that happens, bounce it right back to them by saying something like, “I have given this a lot of thought, and I will entertain any reasonable, competitive offer. What is the salary range you were thinking of?” Stay calm and polite, but be firm and try to get them to offer numbers first.
Also, if you are applying for a job and the application asks for your last salary, try to leave it blank, because whatever you put will be their starting point.
Good luck!
Click here to see my Salary Negotion segment on Let’s Talk Live! Visit our media page here to see more.