Not surprisingly, after their job hunt is over and they have an offer in front of them, many individuals feel uncomfortable asking for additional money. They don’t want to risk the chance now that they’ve progressed this far if the pay is fair. They are even unsure of the best ways to negotiate a job offer.
However, as per the researchers’ guide, 51% of businesses raise their starting salaries to attract talented people. In addition, there is a shortage of qualified experts; according to 55% of companies, it might be difficult to locate candidates with the necessary abilities.
Should you choose not to negotiate a pay offer, you can lose opportunities if you have a strong résumé and specialized expertise. Most hiring managers won’t demand a response immediately and will allow you time to consider the offer. So go ahead and do it. These salary negotiation tactics can help you politely and confidently ask for what you want.
How To Negotiate A Job Offer
1. Know The Industry Trends
You can’t explore ways to negotiate a job offer if you don’t know the industry trends. It’s important to negotiate with as much knowledge as possible. Knowledge is your most powerful friend. Consult the Robert Half Salary Guide to get an up-to-date and accurate picture of the wage scene in your industry. You may modify national rates for your region and get the going rate for your job and expertise level.
Examine the Salary Guide’s “hottest jobs” and “most in-demand skills” sections in particular. If you discover that you’re in the running for one of those desirable jobs, you may react with more confidence. The business may be able to negotiate a higher salary since it may be difficult to locate someone with the necessary training and expertise.
2. Know The Importance of Likability
Although it seems simple, this is important: Only if you are liked by others will they fight for you. In a negotiation, each action you take that detracts from your likeability may lessen the likelihood that the other party will try to negotiate a better offer.
This is about handling some of the natural tensions that arise during negotiations, including asking for what you deserve without coming across as ungrateful, bringing out flaws in the offer without coming across as petty, and being persistent without being bothersome. It’s about more than just being kind.
Negotiators may usually avoid these traps by assessing how others are likely to interpret their approach (e.g., during practice interviews with friends).
3. Help Them To Understand Your Demands
Telling them why you deserve what you asked for is an answer to how to negotiate a salary. It’s insufficient if they like you. They must also think you’re deserving of the deal you’re seeking. Always explain the narrative that corresponds with your proposal instead of letting it speak for itself.
Explain in detail why your request is warranted (for example, why you should be paid 15% more than someone else they recruited, or the fact that your kids get home from school early on Fridays). Don’t merely declare what you want (say, a 15% rise or the ability to work from home one day a week). It may not be a good idea to make a demand if you have no basis for it.
Remember the natural conflict that exists between being likable and articulating your reasons for deserving better: You risk coming out as conceited if you make suggestions about how important you are without considering the best way to convey the idea. It is one of the best ways to negotiate a job offer.
4. Don’t Rush To Tell ‘Yes’
Many individuals are aware that negotiating a job offer may have a significant impact on their careers, both now and in the years to come.
For example, if you are successful in negotiating a better wage, you should anticipate earning tenfold more over your working career than you would have if you had given up on negotiating. In a similar vein, asking for greater authority or a desired job title early on may help you advance your career.
However, many negotiators are at a loss as to whether to ask for more when considering how to turn down a job offer. In particular, many believe that they need to take the offer that is made and then proceed with negotiations. They are concerned that the company will conclude they are uninterested and offer the position to someone else if they don’t accept the offer immediately.
That’s not always the case, though. Employers anticipate that we will consider their offer for a short while and maybe discuss it with our families. Furthermore, it is not a good idea to accept an offer right away in terms of negotiations. Once you’ve indicated that you’ll accept their offer, you have less negotiation power and are less likely to get more.
Thus, when an offer comes in, let them know how happy and appreciative you are. Next, request some time to reflect. Unless you have more complicated plans to manage, like accepting several offers, moving across the nation, or managing your partner’s job hunt, a day or two could be plenty. Allow time to plan your approach.
5. Understand The Person Interviewing You
Understanding the person sitting opposite the table is one of the ways to negotiate a job offer. People negotiate, not companies. Additionally, you must comprehend the person seated across from you before you can try to persuade her. What personal interests and concerns does she have? Talking with an HR representative is not at all like talking with a potential employer.
You may be able to ask the latter a lot of questions about the specifics of the offer, but you don’t want to bother someone who could end up becoming your boss with what seems like insignificant requests.
However, because HR is in charge of recruiting ten employees, they could be hesitant to deviate from the norm, but your boss—who stands to gain more directly from your employment—might advocate on your behalf by making a special request.
6. Don’t Focus Only On Salary
Given the significant influence that our paychecks have on our lives, it is not unexpected that the majority of job applicants focus primarily on compensation when deciding how to reject a job offer. In employment negotiations, salary is often the most obvious and vivid item to discuss.
However, focusing only or even mostly on compensation during negotiations is often a bad idea. Rather, you should always have your ultimate objective in mind: positioning yourself for long-term professional success. Think about where you want to be in five, ten, or even twenty years after accepting a job offer. The job you’re applying for isn’t your final job. Instead, it’s preparing you for your future position.
Acknowledging this enables you to search for chances to acquire the knowledge and experience required for your future employment and beyond. After that, you may bargain for the resources you need to develop and prosper, such as a solid support network or a title that will position you for a promotion in the future. Although it is ideal for you to have used this kind of proactive thinking throughout your whole job hunt, it is still possible to prepare after receiving an offer.
In principle, employers should not care whether they choose to spend their money on perks you may find more valuable or on your pay. The company may be prepared to cover your tuition using pretax cash at a lower cost than you would have to if continuing your education will improve your ability to accomplish your job.
In conclusion, be sure to take the whole picture into account while assessing a job offer. Of course, you may and should bargain for better pay, but other concerns can be much more crucial to your long-term objectives and financial success.
7. Know That Others Are Bound By Rules, Too
They could enjoy you. They could believe that you deserve everything. You could still not get it from them, however, Why? Because they could include unchangeable restrictions, like pay ceilings, that are impossible to get around via bargaining.
Determining where they are and are not flexible is your responsibility. A huge corporation, for instance, is unlikely to be able to offer you a greater wage than the others if it employs 20 individuals who are comparable to you at the same time. Regarding start dates, vacation time, and signing incentives, though, it could be negotiable.
However, there could only be flexibility to change the job title or start a pay offer if you’re negotiating with a smaller business that has never employed someone in your position. The greater your comprehension of the limitations, the more probable it is that you will be able to provide solutions that address the issues on both sides. It is one of the best ways to negotiate a job offer.
8. Expect Tough Questions
Being prepared for tough questions is an answer to how to negotiate a salary. Do you have any other offers? This is a tough question that many job seekers hope to avoid having to answer. Will you accept our offer if we present it to you tomorrow? Do you think we’re the best option?
If you’re not ready, you may say something impolite or, worse, incorrect. We always advise against lying during a discussion. It is unethical, even if it doesn’t hurt you, as it often does. The second danger is that you can give in to pressure to please and lose influence when asked a difficult question.
The key takeaway is that you should be ready for queries and situations that might make you uncomfortable, put you on the defensive, or highlight your vulnerabilities.
Your objective is to provide an honest response without coming off as an unappealing candidate or giving up an excessive amount of negotiating leverage. You most likely won’t miss one of those goals if you have pre-planned your responses to challenging queries.
9. Be Positive
Keep in mind that the majority of managers also detest bargaining. Your prospective employer is not your enemy. Navigating these conversations more skillfully will come from maintaining a pleasant tone throughout the pay and benefit negotiations.
You must request a higher beginning salary offer if you want to get one. All too often, job searchers choose the first offer that is made. However, companies are keen to add team members with specialized skills and knowledge that can benefit them, regardless of how well or poorly the economy is doing. Your success in a pay negotiation depends on your diligence, diplomacy, and self-assurance.
Sample Script
This comprehensive script will help you get started when trying to find ways to negotiate a job offer, whether it is by email or over the phone:
“I appreciate your offer. This is a very exciting chance for me. You made a $50,000 offer over the phone. My research indicates that the industry wage range for this position is often between $55,000 and $65,000.
I also think I can bring something special to your business. In my previous role, I started a campaign that brought in an extra $10,000 for my firm.
For these reasons, if we could agree on $60,000, I would feel more at ease. This pay is commensurate with my experience and credentials. If you could change the compensation to $60,000, I would be happy to accept.”
If you provide a range, keep in mind that you should aim to start at the upper end of the range, but you should also anticipate that the employer will make an effort to meet you more in the center.
In response to the following script, a company may offer $55,000.
If they provide a bit less in response than you’re asking for, you might retort by mentioning an employee benefit or perk that you believe is crucial:
“I am aware that $55,000 is the most you can do. I’m on board if you can raise the restricted stock unit allocation to 100 units and contribute $55,000.”
Finally, it’s appropriate to respond, “Great,” if you have to choose whether to accept the offer. Would it be okay if I took a day to consider it?
FAQ
Q: How often is it possible to haggle over a job offer?
A: Rejecting a job offer many times may not be the wisest course of action. Rather, plan your compensation expectations according to the market value of your expertise and skill set. Don’t prolong the pay discussion for too long. The most I would suggest is two times, depending on the circumstances.
Q: Would I want to know whether my pay is negotiable?
A: Can this be worked out? It never hurts to inquire about whether they will put additional money on the table after the wage offer is made public. You may continue negotiating on other things if they refuse.
Q: Is negotiating a compensation offer acceptable?
A: That’s usually a mistake unless the company specifically states that their offers are non-negotiable. Companies usually offer a little less than what they are ready to pay because they anticipate that job hopefuls will haggle about price.
