How To Negotiate Your Initial Salary
Hello!
It’s another month's end, and our letter this time is quite different.
We bring you the first of its kind - our first agony aunt letter.
Our agony aunt letters are to help solve your work and career dilemmas.
We received this from one of our community members:
Hello, Your Workplace Culture Guide,
I got a job offer for a job I really want, but I don't know how to discuss the pay. I asked a few people what others in similar jobs get paid, and it’s more than what I’m being offered. I'm nervous about asking for more money. I like this job, and I don’t want to lose it. How can I confidently discuss my salary and ensure I'm getting paid fairly without risking the job offer?
Sincerely,
Seeking a Fair Deal
Firstly, congratulations on the offer. The key is to view salary negotiations as a normal part of the hiring process. You need to be able to advocate for yourself; otherwise, no one will do it for you. Not advocating for yourself means you are helping the company pay less for the value you would bring to them; and what do companies love more than saving costs? 😄
So, step one - advocate for yourself.
It’s great that you researched salary ranges for similar roles in your field, so now you know what you (or your role/job) should be worth. Start by highlighting your experience, achievements and skills, demonstrating why you deserve a higher salary band. While this would have been done during the interview process, it is an avenue for you to further reiterate the value you bring to the team. It gives you a solid foundation for negotiation.
Practice, practice, practice. Write down what you want to say, and practice to a mirror, on video, or with a friend until you’re super comfortable and articulate enough to show them why you believe you deserve a higher salary.
Ensure you approach the conversation with a positive and professional attitude. Remember that the company may not necessarily be out to underpay you, so aim for a mutually beneficial agreement.
While negotiating, consider the entire package. Salary is just one aspect of the compensation package. Don't forget to consider additional perks like health insurance, retirement plans, flexible work arrangements, remote work options, professional development opportunities, or performance-based bonuses as alternatives to cover for gaps in the basic pay.
Lastly, be willing to compromise. While advocating for fair compensation is important, be open to compromise. Consider factors such as the company's budget constraints and overall compensation structure. Understand their perspective to find common ground, but know what level you will not go below.
After negotiations conclude, follow up with a thank-you email expressing gratitude for the opportunity to discuss compensation and show enthusiasm for joining their company. Regardless of the outcome, reflect on the experience, identify areas for improvement and lessons learned to refine your negotiation skills for future purposes.
N.B. Once you reach an agreement, make sure to get the final offer in writing to avoid any misunderstandings later on.
We hope these tips are helpful. All the best with your negotiation, and congratulations again on the job offer!
As always, here are our job openings in March.
A happy Easter holiday to all our readers.
Until next month, happy cultur-ing.
Hikmah 😎
with
Your Workplace Culture Guide.