Salary Negotiation Tips

A lot of factors go into salary negotiation, but the bottom line is that you deserve to be paid for your skills, qualifications and experience. That said, navigating a salary conversation can be daunting—particularly if you’re in the midst of an interview and nervous about saying the wrong thing.

The key to a successful negotiation is to come prepared with several business-related reasons why you think your worth is higher than the company’s initial offer. “The more data you have to support your argument, the better your chances of being successful,” says Peter Cappelli, a professor at Wharton School of Management. He suggests researching salary data online, such as from Glassdoor or PayScale, to see what people in your position earn in different locations.

Another helpful tip is to ask for a range instead of one specific number when asked about salary expectations. That way, the employer doesn’t assume you have a ceiling in mind and can negotiate down to a number you’re comfortable with.

Before entering the salary conversation, it’s also important to consider additional (and alternative) benefits that you might want to negotiate. For example, more vacation time or flexible working hours can be compelling additions to or alternatives to a higher salary.

Finally, remember that while it’s fine to be firm in your requests, the goal of a negotiation isn’t to create conflict. It’s about finding a compromise that everyone is happy with. Ultimately, the hiring manager will likely want to avoid having to rescind an offer or spend more time training someone if they think you’ll be unhappy in the long run because of your salary. Salary negotiation tips