Salary Negotiation Secrets Revealed

Before you go into the interview, it is important to know what salary you want, what you need to live on, and what you will be prepared to accept. Spend some time working out your budget. Remember to factor into your calculations the remuneration you'll need in the future.

Decide what types of benefits are important to you. A compensation package might include: flexible work schedule, option to work at home, relocation expenses, pension and insurance plans, company car, holidays, stock options, profit-sharing, training opportunities, etc. By evaluating these beforehand, you can concentrate on bargaining in the negotiation process.

It is important to know your market value. You can do this by consulting professional associations, job advertisements, business and trade periodicals, employment agencies, executive search companies, career-related websites, and on-line salary surveys.

Since salaries often vary according to location, you should research comparable positions at similar companies in your geographical area. Investigate your prospective employer's track record for making offers.

To strengthen your negotiating position, try to ascertain how urgently the company needs to fill the post. It also helps if you have another offer to consider.

When completing application forms, say that your salary requirements are "negotiable" or "competitive." Don't state a specific figure on your resume.

Don't be the first to mention salary during the job interview. Let the employer introduce salary first. If the interviewer insists on a specific figure, ask for details of the company's customary salary range for that type of position. Stress that you are confident you will be able to arrive at a mutually agreeable sum.

Do not negotiate a salary until you receive a job offer. By making the offer, the company is indicating that they consider you to be a valuable asset, thus putting you in much stronger bargaining position. When asked at this stage to express your salary requirements, be as non-specific as possible. Instead of an exact amount, state a range and indicate that you are willing to negotiate.

Use timing to establish your value. Don't be too quick to accept the employer's first offer.

If the offer is unacceptable, go back to talking about the responsibilities and importance of the job. Stress how keen you are to work for the company and how much you feel you can contribute. Maintain a calm, friendly, and professional demeanour at all times.

Anticipate objections and be prepared to overcome them. Assess the company's needs beforehand and justify your salary request by showing them how they will benefit from your skills, knowledge, and experience.

Be creative in suggesting salary options. If the company is not in a position to offer a higher salary, concentrate on negotiating parallel benefits such as performance bonuses, company car, profit-sharing, etc.

Remember that you are negotiating your relationship with your prospective employer. It should be a collaborative process. Both parties will benefit from a successful outcome. Avoid conflict. Be firm but friendly in asserting your rights.

If you are satisfied with the offer you receive, try to resist the urge to accept on the spot. Instead, express your enthusiasm about the prospects of joining the company and ask for a little time to consider the offer.

When evaluating the offer, consider all the relevant factors, e.g. salary, benefits, responsibilities, location, environment, and promotional prospects.

Once you have accepted the job offer and agreed on the salary and benefits, ask for a letter of confirmation.

Visit the author's website at http://www.assignmentsplus.com

Gerard McLoughlin, author of 'Four Minutes To Interview Success', has contributed career-related articles to hundreds of recruitment companies, websites and publications throughout the world, including: USA Today, JobBankUSA.com, US-Recruiters.com, etc.

To receive FREE career tips on a regular basis, sign up today for The Assignments Plus Newsletter.

---

Always Have a Current Resume

What is the biggest mistake people make with resumes?People write... Read More

More Companies Using Job Interview Phone Screening

Planning and preparing before you begin to send out resumes... Read More

17 Surefire Ways to Annoy Potential Employers

Despite the President's encouraging words, the job market is still... Read More

Career Advice: Are Resumes Obsolete As A Primary Job Search Tool?

In a day of background checks, pre-employment drug screening and... Read More

Surprise! Accounting is the Hot New Major

There was a time when accounting was the boring college... Read More

Women Who Quit Work Abrubtly After Childbirth - Are You the Type?

According to statistics one out of every five pregnant women... Read More

10 Keys to Getting Paid What You?re Worth!

Asking for money is so taboo in our culture that... Read More

Feng Shui Your Desk for Career Success

Have you used feng shui around your desk? It's a... Read More

Job! Money! Career!

Feel somehow your life is stuck in MS-OFFICE ? The... Read More

You Can Identify a Problem Solver

As an executive recruiter, I interview a lot of people.... Read More

Have You Given Up On Yourself?

Have you given up on yourself? Have you decided to... Read More

Cover Letter Magic: 4 Ways To ASK For The Job Interview - And Get It!

Just how important it is to ASK for the job... Read More

Top 10 Tips for Career Advancement

Here's a list of the top 10 tips you can... Read More

Resume 101

Whether you've been downsized, are looking for a career change... Read More

Spiritual Practices Offer Peace and Acceptance

Facing career transitions and daily life challenges can leave us... Read More

Why Employers Want an Employee with a Degree

You wake up in the morning, head to work, and... Read More

Hiring Managers: Preventing ?Fall-Off?s? and Counter Offers

"Bill, thanks so much for your assistance with this search.... Read More

The Interviewable Resume

It is rumored that the only word William Shakespeare wrote... Read More

How to Write a Scientific Resume

You're a scientist, you're very well educated, you're intelligent, and... Read More

What to Do if You are Over 40 and Have Lost Your Job

Unexpectedly loosing your job can be a very traumatic and... Read More

Success at Work : People Skills : Networking

Getting along with your co-workers is critical to yourhappiness and... Read More

The Top 10 Ways to Manage Your Career

Many people in the last decade have experienced either a... Read More

Mystery Shopping for Fun and Profit

How would you like to get paid to go shopping?... Read More

Helping Mid-Life Employees Find Meaning

People work to live, but most also live to work.... Read More

Where Did All The Farmers Go?

Several times a year, I hear someone complain about the... Read More

Mystery Shopping - An Excellent Part Time Job Or Additional Income Source

Though the name itself may seem a bit mysterious, the... Read More

Ten Tips to a Job Winning Interview

These days, interviews don't come easily. When you get The... Read More

How Hedgehogs Hire

In my last column, I explored Jim Collins' "hedgehog" principle,... Read More

How to Turn Career Mistakes into Career Wins

I recently talked with a client who was paralyzed at... Read More

Make Your Résumé Sizzle with Success Stories

In today's competitive job market you can't afford a résumé... Read More

Analysing Adverts for the Creative Response

The fundamental rule is: if you are going to apply... Read More

CDL Practice Test ? Offers Practice Tests To Prepare For The CDL Exam

As you take CDL practice test, you do become more... Read More

Are You Bored By What You Do?

Is your working life in the doldrums? Do you feel... Read More