You are greeted with good news one day that you got the job you applied for, but the salary isn’t what you expected. It’s not wrong to ask for a higher salary; it’s important to know your worth. You do need to know how to ask properly and professionally.
Tips to Negotiate your Salary
The one thing you should know about negotiating is that this is only applicable for certain types of jobs. Part-time or minimum wage jobs don’t usually have room for wage negotiations.
- Do your research – You’ll want to be prepared in case they ask you right at the end of the interview. Make sure you know how much your position is worth so you neither undershoot or overshoot your expected wages.
- Be confident –If you sprinkle your requests with “uhm” and other indications of hesitation, you’re not likely going to get your desired salary.
- Be tactful–If you’re unemployed when you get your job offer, you might not want to negotiate right off the bat. It’s important to understand this. Just know that the start of your job is not the only time you can ask for a salary change. You’ll get your opportunity later on.
- Be thankful despite the outcome–Sometimes they’ll have to turn down your request. You can always ask why, but do so in a humble manner. Don’t show bitterness, rather thank them for considering it. It’s rewarding to know that you took a shot, even if it was a long one.
- Practice what you’re going to say– Practicing will add to your confidence. Listening to yourself say things out loud will also help you see what things you should refrain from saying as well as tweak your vocabulary. If you get the job offer right at the interview, it’s important to practice this part as well.
- Give concrete reasons why you deserve that salary–This is a great time to show off a little bit. Tell them your achievements; remind them of what you can do. You can also say that you know the average salary in the position you’re trying for and that what you’re getting paid falls below. They will respect your points.
- State a salary range – This shows that you’re flexible and are willing to negotiate. That being said, don’t set your range so low. Your goal is to get something much higher than you are currently receiving.
- Be polite – This goes under being thankful, but also be professional. Use appropriate language and you could even set a time to talk about the salary change.
When to Negotiate a Raise
It’s really important to know your value. It’s not arrogant to know that you’re good at your job. You have to be confident. Especially if your responsibilities are growing and you can see that you’re making a difference in the workplace, your request for a salary change can be justified.
While these tips are within the context of already working, think about negotiating your salary when:
- Your responsibilities are getting bigger – When your employer sees you doing well in your job, it’s only natural for them to trust you with more responsibilities. Trust your instincts here. If you feel like you’re being taken advantage of at your current salary, then it might be time to ask for a change.
- You’ve been at the company for a certain amount of time – this criteria goes hand in hand with the previous one. You’ll have to use your own discretion because every workplace is different. If you’re finding yourself with a lot more responsibilities within three months of working there, then you can consider requesting a raise.
All in all, be confident and respectful. Your time and work are valuable so it’s important to be compensated adequately.
Related Articles:
- Dos and Donts of Canadian Resumes
- How to Get Your Dream Job: Interview Tips
- How to Write a Professional Email
Source: Negotiating your Salary