If you are one of the Lucky few to get a job in this economy and the HR rep. calls to inform you that you will start with a salary of 34K. Depending on how the conversation is going, you can sneak in the 4 famous words that negotiators love to throw around: Can you do better or Can that be negotiated?
If you are lucky then they will hear you out and offer you a little more than they originally offered. The fact of the matter is that all jobs have a few thousand dollars in wiggle room to offer skilled aka qualified employees. Negotiating tactics like these are done every day by hundreds of ruthless people who are not intimidated to say what is on their minds and secure a better salary for their needs.
The higher the salary when you first begin your career the better the yearly increases and the more power you have in your corner to receive more pay with every new job after that. In addition to this 401K retirement programs are based off of that starting salary, the higher the salary the faster your account will grow. So do you have it in you to negotiate a better salary? If not then your skills will never be fully appreciated.
Strategies for Salary Negotiations:
1 Run a salary report from salary.com for your exact position (Get a Preferred range!)
2 Once you are offered a job, negotiate the starting salary
3 Perform well and in a year negotiate for a raise
4 If denied a higher salary in the beginning or during the annual review, ask to negotiate in 6 months
5 Always reinforce your skills and what you can do for the organization when you counter the offer
6 Attempt to get as many awards by going above and beyond, this can be used to your advantage
7 If currently employed, do a comprehensive benefits chart between old job and new job
I hope you all can use these tactics in whatever field of work you are in. The glass ceiling is not made of concrete that is the reason why many have broken through it. If you feel like asking to negotiate might risk your initial job offer as a gut feeling, then hold back until the annual review and ask then. But perform to the best of your abilities in the months in between.
Comment and let the readers know a story of how you negotiated a better salary?
– If you are scared to ask; can you do better, you stand to lose greater.- RichUncle EL
RichUncle EL
Pic Courtesy of Priceline the negotiating experts on the web.
This is a great post, and something I feel everybody should do when entering a new position. I know that originally I was timid, or unsure, of asking for a higher starting salary. Luckily I learned quickly that salaries were in fact open to negotiation, AND that most companies try to low-ball most entry level positions. Knowing your worth, and the average salary in your area (location wise & position wise) will definitely help in this matter. Plus, it doesn't hurt to ask. If they really want you, they'll see what they can do for you.
I couldn\’t agree more. I enjoy negotiating and with every dollar I save or earn by asking can you do better, it makes me feel like I am winning every time. Thanks for the comment.