When entering a new position, speaking with a rival company, or after years of service to the same one, salary is often a difficult topic to breach for those who are shy about discussing money and personal finance. Take a deep breath and follow our advice to get your own way and obtain the salary you deserve.
Prepare Your Interview
So you’ve taken the first step and asked to meet with your superior. The big day approaches quickly, so don’t waste time and start preparing now to have all the stars align in your favor. First, strengthen your argument beforehand by asking yourself questions about the company’s current position on raises, its flexibility, the salary of your colleagues, and what justifies you receiving a different salary. You also need to know your value on the job market, your options in case you leave the company, and also what that would mean for your current employer. Finally, try to brainstorm a list of all of your professional achievements and your relationships with clients to present to your superior and also reinforce your confidence in yourself!
Choose the Right Moment
There can be many good moments to negotiate a salary, so your goal should be to take note of them and channel your inner opportunist. Choose a quiet time in the company when your superior will have the time to think about your demand, or choose a moment of personal or collective success. The “perfect moment” could also be your annual performance review, where you can’t be turned down. Finally, moving to a new company is obviously an opportune moment for negotiating a higher salary than your previous one. In this case, it’s up to you to present your qualities and value in a convincing way, have a large range of salaries in mind, know your industry like the back of your hand, and value your past experiences.
Spread a positive message
To succeed in your negotiation and attain everything you’ve asked for, you should speak with a pleasant tone and talk as though it is something beneficial for the company as well as for yourself. You need to prove your loyalty and motivation to work in the position and for the company. Remind your boss that you are fulfilled through working for the advancement and growth of the company. You might also ask them their opinion of your work and their vision of your future in the company. Show them that you’re listening to their feedback, and don’t forget to tell them that you’re aware of areas of potential progress if your boss brings them up. In sum, discuss, don’t demand, and be professional and courteous so that the discussion is both positive and constructive.
Find a Plan B
If your negotiation fails or is rejected for internal reasons over which you have no control, like a lack of budget, ask about future possibilities of seeing your demand accepted. It could be that you just didn’t pick the right moment to bring up the raise, since you’re not privy to everything happening in the company, and in this case, pick yourself back up and try again later! You could also try to negotiate other benefits like additional vacation time, performance bonuses, better work conditions, or even a better health insurance plan.
Best of luck!