How to Negotiate a Salary: Avoid Common Salary Negotiation Mistakes

When it comes to salary negotiation, an employee has a lot of reasons for the negotiation, though it sometimes comes with anxiety, and deciding not to make a move in the first place could be your biggest mistake. Here you will learn more about top strategies to negotiate a higher salary; how to avoid salary negotiation mistakes; and how to counter or negotiate a salary offer.

Read also: QUESTIONS TO ASK IN AN INTERVIEW: Best Questions to Ask Your Interviewer

Negotiation For a Salary Offer

Before you’ve formally accepted a job offer and signed a contract, you might not feel particularly powerful. After all, you aren’t even employed by the company yet. But the truth is that the small window of time between receiving a job offer and formally accepting it is when you have the most time to negotiate your salary.

In fact, salary negotiation often leaves people feeling so uncomfortable that they give in and accept the first offer made. This is a mistake because employers typically anticipate some negotiating during the hiring process and have taken that into account when making their offer by presenting a figure that is initially lower than they can go.

How then do you negotiate a salary offer that is in line with your value?

Arm yourself with information on average pay in the market for your position.
Consider your own level of experience and any distinguishing qualities you can donate. As a highly sought-after candidate, you might be able to demand even more than the going rate.
Set a target salary range using this information as a guide. Your goal figures should be appropriate for your location, sector, job, and skill set.
Sound confident and in control when requesting the salary you desire, practice asking for it.
Keep your salary history secret from the hiring committee. If you reveal too much about your previous salary, you might only receive a lower offer.
In your salary negotiation, don’t forget to bring up benefits. Your benefits package goes beyond just a salary.

How to Counter Offer Your Salary.

When a candidate feels that the salary being offered does not meet their needs, level of experience, or the industry standard, they frequently request to counter their salary offer. They do so orally or in writing—by letter or email, for example—by asking for a specific salary or other forms of payment. The candidate thanks the counteroffer and states their request with justification or supplementary information. The hiring manager will then choose whether to approve, reject, or counteroffer.

The steps listed below can help you negotiate your salary when you counter a job offer:

#1. Request time to think about your options.

When a job offer is made to you, you should first express your gratitude to the company for their time. Thank you notes are a powerful way to convey your thoughtfulness and professionalism. Then you can ask them for time to think over your decision. Usually, they set a deadline for your reply. If not, you might be able to decide on the timeline on your own. To respect their time and efforts, try to limit yourself to two or three days.

#2. Examine industry pay by conducting research.

You must provide proof to back up your request and show why it is reasonable to counter the initial salary offer. Inquire with contacts in the industry about the typical pay for your position. Making sure the salary meets your individual needs also requires knowledge of the area’s cost of living. You can use this information to determine the amount of pay that you would find comfortable.

#3. Assess your qualifications and experience

By highlighting the valuable skills and experience you bring to the table as an employee, you can prove why you should be paid more than the going rate for the industry. Consider what sets you apart from other applicants, such as the specific achievements you have made in your career. This data, along with your research, can help you present a strong case for your counteroffer.

#4. Examine and assess the initial proposal.

You must now carefully review the job offer and compare it to your research. If the starting pay is not enough to satisfy you, consider the benefits package that is being provided. In some circumstances, you might discover that the extra benefits make up for a lower-than-expected salary. If not, you can use both types of compensation when negotiating.

#5. Determine your counteroffer value

When creating a salary counter offer, you might want to give a number that is a little bit higher than desired. Even if the employer offers less than you requested, by asking for more, you may be able to secure your ideal salary.

#6. Submit your counteroffer

You can now submit your counteroffer after defining the compensation you desire. This can be accomplished by speaking verbally with the employer over the phone or in person. You can also make your request in detail in a formal letter or email.

#7. Get ready for the response from the employer

You can start organizing and getting ready for the counteroffer process as soon as you submit your request. Consider the outcomes that might occur and how you would react to them. When engaging in negotiations, having a plan can boost your confidence. You could even write yourself a script and practice reading it aloud.

#8. Show a willingness to compromise

You should be firm in your request and flexible when negotiating your salary or other forms of payment. You can inquire about changing or adding specific benefits to your offer if the employer is unable to accommodate your specific salary request. To keep a good relationship going no matter what happens, always act professionally and with respect.

#9. Decide whether to accept or reject the offer.

The decision to accept or reject the job must be made as the negotiation process comes to an end. Your choice may become simpler if you come to terms that satisfy everyone’s needs. Despite your best efforts during negotiations, you might occasionally still feel that the offer is inadequate. The next step is to decide if you can afford to stay at the job or if it would be better for you to leave.

Top Strategies to Negotiate a Higher Salary Offer

Here are some strategies to use when you are about to negotiate for a higher salary offer;

#1. Be patient

Patience they say is a virtue, and engaging this virtue during salary negotiation is one of the most effective strategies to negotiate for a higher salary offer. When applying for a job, resist the urge to ask about pay until the employer brings it up first. If a potential employer asks you about your salary expectations, say that you’re open to negotiate about it based on the specifics of the job.

#2. Consider a counteroffer

Asking for a meeting to negotiate the salary offer is one of the best strategies after receiving a job offer, mostly when you have a higher self-worth. This is the step you take only when and if the offer does not go down well with you. Again, try and be calm about it no matter how disregarding it may seem.

#3. Determine your value.

Spend some time looking for salaries for the particular job you’re interested in. Information is power. You’ll be better prepared to demand what you’re worth in the market once you’ve done your research.

#4. Take your time

When it comes to the top strategies to negotiate a salary, consider your options carefully before accepting a job offer that has been made in writing. No matter how unimportant they may seem now, take advantage of the chance to ask follow-up questions. Feel free to ask for more time to think about the offer; this shows that you are thoughtful and reasonable in your interactions.

How To Avoid Salary Negotiation Mistakes.

Salary negotiation can cause anxiety and discomfort in professionals of all ranks. Numerous elements, such as the fear of rejection, the fear of disapproval, and a lack of confidence, frequently come into play. Here are the top mistakes to avoid during a salary negotiation:

#1. Do not undervalue your work.

We all have justifications for not asking for salary negotiation. Have you given it some thought to see how your pay stacks up against others in your field and position? The rest of our team has not gotten raises this year, and we haven’t been in our position for that long. Your argument for a raise can be significantly strengthened with the help of this information.

#2. Do not only prepare on paper

Making a list of your achievements and including any metrics that show their impact is crucial, but psychological preparation is just as crucial. Practice what you’re going to say aloud and how you’re going to react to any potential push-backs in front of a mirror or with a friend. This will aid in calming your anxiety and physiological desensitization.

#3. Do not worry that you’ll offend your employer.

Another way to avoid common salary negotiation mistakes is to focus less about offending your employer. If you think you deserve a higher salary, you have evidence to support it, and you present a salary negotiation request in a respectful way, it’s extremely unlikely that your employer will hold a grudge against you for trying to negotiate salary or that a company will rescind your job offer.

#4. You don’t set the foundation for an effective salary negotiation request.

Keep these three points in mind before entering into the conversation of salary negotiation in order to avoid some mistakes:

Instead of starting the conversation when you’re feeling nervous or afraid, do so in a positive and open-minded manner.
The quickest way to reduce anxiety is to use deep breathing exercises just before discussing the subject with your employer.
Do your best to find someone who will listen to you intently. Begin the conversation at a time when you will have your boss’s attention.

#5. Do not begin the salary negotiation conversation focusing on your needs.

When you start the meeting with your manager or your potential employer, try and be straightforward in pointing out your aim for the meeting.

#6. Make powerful request.

Be careful how you express yourself; avoid weakening your request and undermining your accomplishments by using words like “Is it OK with you…”, “I’d like to ask for…”, or “Would it be possible…” Use clear but respectful language.

#7. You ask how much you want during a salary negotiation

In the world of numbers, where you begin greatly influences where you end up. Asking for a figure higher than your target salary is a wise move because your employer will naturally try to negotiate it down from there. Start with a number that makes you feel a little uneasy.

#8. Talk your way out of a “yes.”

Silence is an incredibly effective tool when it comes to salary negotiation. After you’ve stated what you need from your employer, don’t say another word. As uncomfortable as it may feel to sit in silence, hold out until the other person responds.

#9. You make demands or threats.

Salary negotiation is not a debate, even though it might feel like it is. Arguing will get you nowhere; instead, try to keep your request as brief and precise as you can, and above all, remain composed. Salary negotiation is not about winning; rather, it’s about finding a solution that’s mutually beneficial to both you and your employer. You should absolutely request what you feel you are entitled to, but avoid making a demand or giving your boss the impression that you won’t work to your full potential unless your pay is increased.

In conclusion, to avoid going for a salary negotiation in the first place is one of the biggest mistakes you can make as an employee. The majority of employers expect you to bargain, and some even consider candidates who do so to be high performers. Keep in mind that people will respect you more if you have the confidence to ask for significant things. Examine your work’s quality and the impact of your contributions in an honest manner. If you truly feel that your pay does not reflect the value of your work, do not let fear keep you from asking for a salary negotiation and getting what you deserve.

Do employers expect you to negotiate salary

However, you should be aware that virtually always, the business expects that you will engage in negotiation, and it is in your best interest to do so. In fact, according to study, 85% of employers anticipate wage negotiations from job candidates during the interview phase.

how do you counter offer

the steps listed below can help you when you want to counter offer

request time to think about your options
examine industry pay by conducting research
assess your qualifications and experience
examine and assess your initial proposal
determine your counter offer value
submit your counter offer
get ready for the employer’s response
show willingness to compromise
decide whether to accept or reject the offer

how can you negotiate for a higher salary offer

These are some measures to take for you to achieve an effective higher salary negotiation

be patient
consider a counteroffer
determine your value
take your time