Effective Salary Negotiation Techniques for Job Seekers

Understand the Employer's Needs

Understanding the employer’s needs can give job seekers leverage when negotiating a salary. The first step in any successful salary negotiation is researching a company’s business and understanding how a job seeker’s skills and experience can help meet the needs of the company. Make sure to also familiarize yourself with the job market and the competitive range of salaries. You can gather such information from job listings, websites, or by speaking with current employees of the company.

Be Prepared

Job seekers should come to the negotiation prepared to discuss not only salary, but available benefits as well. Prepare a list of questions to ask the potential employer to get the most out of the negotiation. When discussing salary, be prepared to highlight your accomplishments, experience, and abilities to justify your requested salary. Job seekers should also be prepared to negotiate other items, such as vacation time and flexible scheduling.

Set Limits

Before salary negotiations even begin, job seekers need to set expectations for themselves. Determine the lowest salary you would accept, as well as the salary you would expect for a successful outcome. Set realistic expectations to ensure a success in salary negotiations. It is important to be confident and remain flexible in negotiations, but having a bottom-line offer in mind gives applicants the leverage they need to negotiate effectively.

Be Open-Minded

Being closed-minded during negotiations can be a disadvantage, so job seekers should remain open-minded and avoid bluffs. Being open-minded means understanding the perspectives of the employer and listening carefully to their offers. Practicing active listening, such as summarizing and repeating the offer back to the employer, can foster trust and understanding. Being understanding and willing to negotiate can often lead to better outcomes for both parties.

Focus on Benefits, Not Salary

Though salary is important, job seekers should also consider other benefits such as bonuses, vacation and sick time, or professional development courses. Focusing on benefits can be a less intimidating way to negotiate salary. Furthermore, benefit packages can include non-tangible items such as access to technology, flexible scheduling options, and company culture that could make a job offer more attractive than a higher salary.

Be Professional

Job seekers should maintain professionalism throughout the salary negotiation process. Remain professional when discussing salaries by avoiding emotional appeals or aggressive tactics. Be polite, stay positive, and refrain from name-calling or railing against the employer during negotiation. Try not to become overly competitive during negotiations, as coming across as challenging could lead to a failed negotiation.

Negotiate Based on Value

Job seekers should remain confident during negotiations and justify their salary points by emphasizing their skills and value they would bring to an employer. Salary negotiation should be based on a job seeker’s current market value and the value they would bring to the company, not just their desired salary or the amount of money they need. Job seekers should not be afraid to mention their accomplishment or their track record of success.