How do you negotiate salary?

5 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 22,2023 at 5:25AM UTC

   You do your homework, you understand your value and know the market and what you bring to the table. It's all about preparation. That's where your confidence will come from. You can then be very matter-of-fact. It's hard to out negotiate preparation and true understanding.

2. SofiaSeptember 22,2023 at 6:37PM UTC

   This is so good, thanks!

3. AnonymousSeptember 25,2023 at 12:40PM UTC

   Research salary levels in your area for the position you are seeking. Consider the costs of medical/dental benefits you will have to pay for and how much vacation/sick time/ other perks you may get when considering the entire offer. Consider your experience level and how much competition you are up against. Do not offer ONE number as your salary request. Simply state "Compensation for roles such as this is in the $xxK - $xxK range but of course, I need more information before I could consider an offer if it's extended". Then do your calculations on the WHOLE cost of everything. I created an excel file to do this where I can plug in the salary, tax rates, benefits costs etc and it comes pretty close to what your net pay is. Start by creating it and in one set of columns, mirror your current paycheck. Then copy the columns and play with the potential offer. You can also copy the columns again to do a counter with. It helps a lot.

4. SofiaSeptember 25,2023 at 3:23PM UTC

   Amazing - this is a great idea! Thanks!

5. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 27,2023 at 5:18AM UTC

   The best thing to do is try to find out the salary range at the company you're interviewing with.

   Some states now have pay transparency laws and the salary range is required to be in the job posting. In some states, the company must provide that info if you request it.

   Research is all well and good, but it doesn't really matter what other companies are paying - what matters is what the company you're interviewing with is paying.

   If you can't find out the salary range, find out the target. Even if you can find out the salary range, ask what their target is. In many companies, the target is the midpoint of the salary range. I have worked at companies where they will not budge over the midpoint.

   Please do not be intimidated by the subject of compensation. And the gender of the person should have no bearing on this at all.

   For recruiters, it's just one more question we ask like "how many years project management experience do you have?"

   I talk about comp during my first call with every candidate. If they don't bring it up, you should. I recommend you do not let them waste your time. The most thing I want in those conversations is that candidates are honest with me.

   Also, the time to negotiate an offer is when you receive a verbal offer.

   Please let me know if you have any questions.