Advice & Resources

4 Tips to Negotiate a Better Salary
by Itsamberduh - 2015-02-26

You've put in the time to create the perfect resume, nailed the interview and impressed the hiring manger. Now you've gotten the callback, but the salary is not as high as you had hoped. Even if you're tempted to just say yes because you're excited to have gotten the job, it's always a good idea to try and negotiate for the best compensation package possible. Read on for 4 tips to negotiate a better salary.

1.) Do your homework. Go online and gather all the information you need about the pay and duties of the position. There are plenty of sites that will tell you the going rate for the job title you're considering in your area. The market value will change based on the industry, location and current trends, so make sure you take into account all factors before accepting the first offer that's given.

2.) Don't talk about salary until the end of the process. If the employer wants to talk about money early on in the interview, tell them you're flexible and more interested in finding the right job than a specific dollar amount. Make sure to play up your strengths and show the hiring manager how valuable you can be. Then, when the time comes for them to make an offer, you'll be justified in asking for more. Employers very rarely start with the maximum offer. In fact, most employers report that they expect an employee to negotiate some before accepting, so they leave a little room to wiggle.

3.) Don't forget that your total compensation involves more than just your take-home pay. You can also negotiate your title, time off and even benefits. If the hiring manager seems centered on bringing you into the company, you can probably get a little more in terms of benefits. When deciding on what to ask for, don't forget that you will have costs associated with taking the job, like commuting and use that to get a better compensation package. As always, don't mention this during the interview, but rather save it for the end when you're negotiating salary.

4.) Don't draw negotiations out. You only have 1 or maybe 2 chances to put out a counter proposal before your employer decides to move on. Make your counter-offer the one you really want and ask for everything you're after up front. Be prepared to not get everything you request and don't sweat the small stuff if your employer isn?t open to meeting all of your requests.

If you use these 4 tips, you can likely get a better compensation package than the one you are first offered. Remember, the higher starting salary you garner, the higher your total lifetime earnings will be.