Aug 06, 2021

How to Negotiate Your Salary

Negotiating for a higher salary is something that we all need to do. It ensures that you get paid what you deserve for your qualifications and work experience. We know that asking for a higher salary can sometimes be an awkward topic to broach. But worry not, because today we’ll give you some uber useful tips on how to negotiate salary in an interview and after you get a job offer, as well as what to say when negotiating your salary.

How to negotiate salary in an interview

There are various schools of thought when it comes to negotiating salary in an interview. Some say it’s taboo and “too soon”, and a majority sides with “I will only talk about it if the hiring manager brings it up!”.

Salary is usually discussed towards the end of an interview, and it is typically taken as a good sign that the hiring manager may be considering you seriously for the position. The conversation may go along the lines of, “We are looking at a salary range from $X dollars to $Y dollars for this role with the eligibility for a salary hike every year based on your performance reviews”. Now if you’re lucky, the range mentioned is exactly what you had in mind in the first place, and everyone can go home happy.

This method may work for you if you’re just starting out in your field or lack the confidence in your skills where you might feel comfortable enough to ask for what you think you’re worth. This method may also work for you if you’re the kind of person who is just lucky enough to get everything they wish for. But let’s face it, no one is that lucky!

So how do you negotiate your salary during an interview without jeopardizing the possibility of a job offer? We suggest starting off by determining how much people in a similar position are currently making. Glassdoor and LinkedIn are great avenues to gather salary information for the roles you’re applying for. Also talk to your friends and colleagues who might be in the same industry and ask them what a reasonable salary range would be for this position. If a hiring manager asks you what you are currently making or what you made in a previous position, remember that you are not obligated to answer this question and can politely decline.

Here’s something you could say to the hiring manager without coming across as being rude if they ask about your current or previous salary – “To be honest I don’t think what I’m currently making is relevant to this position as the responsibilities and duties are very different. It is also with another company who had their own budgets and fiscal responsibilities and most importantly, I am looking for a new position that will compensate me fairly for my skills and experience”. This answer not only saves you from being unable to negotiate for a higher salary, but it also projects confidence and informs the manager that you believe in your own worth.

You could also ask the hiring manager what their budget for the role is. Be polite but firm and let them know that you’re happy to come to a mutual agreement if they feel that you are the right person for the job. Remember, DO NOT bring up a past salary figure or you will lose all leverage when you’re negotiating your salary.

How to negotiate salary after an offer

Many of you may have gone through a similar situation; you land an amazing job with a great company, you have made your salary expectations clear, but then you get the offer, and the salary is not what you’re expecting, in fact, it’s a lot less than what you were expecting. Your first instinct might be to take the offer as it is, and to suck it up for a year before you get up the nerve to ask for a higher salary. We get that it can be a scary prospect to say no to something that you’ve been waiting a long time for, and you may not feel very powerful before you’ve “officially” accepted a job offer.

Here’s 3 things you can do to make sure that you’re in a good place to negotiate your salary at such times:

1. Arm yourself with some facts and figures on the average salaries that people at your level in the same industry are currently earning.
2. Toot your own horn a little bit! Talk about your skills and attributes and what you bring to the table. Don’t undersell your capabilities and own your awesomeness!
3. Thirdly, build a small buffer when you give your salary expectations, that goes marginally above the rate you originally want, so that if they come back with a lesser offer, you’re still happy with the results.

The worst thing that can happen is that they say no, in which case, you know this is not the right place for you. From here, you can look to market yourself to the right company. Don’t be afraid to say no to things you’re not comfortable with, but be sure to express gratitude so you are not burning any bridges.

What to say when negotiating salary

A lot of the time, people think of salary negotiations as a battle they need to win and end up phrasing things in a way that may lose them this battle. Try changing your phrasing and see how fast you get what you have asked for.

Never give an ultimatum during a salary negotiation. Instead, use words like “I’m excited about this opportunity, and am happy to come to a mutual agreement…”. This leaves room for the hiring manager to pull out their salary calculator and give you some room for a fair negotiation.

You can also say, “I would be more comfortable if...”, instead of saying “I want” or “I need”, which could come across as being a turn off to some employers. Make the hiring manager feel like you’re already a team working toward achieving a common result. If the offer you get is lower than what you expected, instead of pushing back, you could also ask them, “Is that number flexible at all?”. This gives the employer a chance to relook at the offer and maybe even add a few perks that you might be able to get if they’re unable to give you a higher salary.

The key is to have confidence in your mad skills and negotiate your salary hike accordingly! Remember, if you don’t ask for a higher salary, you may not get it.