In an ideal world, none of us would really care what salary we made. Of course, this isn’t a Utopian world where we don’t have to worry about mortgages, retirement, or savings accounts. In practice, being able to negotiate your salary when searching for a job can make the difference between being stuck in a low-paying job and living comfortably.
Research First
Before you’re able to engage in a discussion about salary, you have to research what’s fair and know the average salary for the job you’re entering.
Having an idea what a fair salary is can help: look at your current job and compare the salary versus the responsibilities. Compared to this, would your new job be asking much more of you for the same or less money, or is any increase in duties accompanied by an upward increase in pay?
The internet is a great place to research what’s average for many careers. Use a search engine to look for keywords from the job title, plus the words “average salary” or just “salary”. Salary calculators, comparison tables, and job postings will help you out here. Doing some thorough research on the high, low, and average end of the pay scale for this job will pay off — literally! — later on.
If you know what you’re realistically going to get, it will help, too. Moving to a completely different career will reduce your pay temporarily, while someone with a lot of experience in a similar career will be able to ask for more compensation without coming off as self-centered.
Make a Suggestion
Some experts say that you should stall by saying you are willing to negotiate, while others say you should suggest a realistic salary range for the position. This technique may not be for the faint of heart, but if you enjoy bargaining, give it a try.
Rather than giving a certain number, try giving a reasonable range. ($30,000-$60,000 would be too great a range, while $45,000-$50,000 might be too little, for instance.) This shows that you’re well-prepared and you know what you are worth. Of course, be willing to negotiate depending on how badly you need the job.
What Else is In It for You?
Many people forget to find out the hidden bonuses. If there is a substantial sign-on bonus, a great benefits package, or opportunities to get discounts others have only dreamed of, you might want to consider taking a somewhat lower salary than you otherwise would have. This shows that you are willing to negotiate, and intelligent enough to know that upfront salary isn’t everything.
If there aren’t any of these traditional benefits being offered, see if they are willing to give you additional vacation time, a more flexible schedule, or some other job perk that might benefit you later.
Talking about salary expectations isn’t embarrassing or taboo; it’s part of everyday job searches, and being able to know what you are worth and when you are being shortchanged is definitely important. By doing your research ahead of time and acting willing to negotiate, you will benefit both yourself and your future employer.