How to Negotiate Your Salary

There are Six Secrets to Negotiating Your Salary at the End of an Interview

Did you know that you should make sure to find out the salary before you accept the job offer? It is important for you to find out before excepting a position. This can be intimidating to bring up in an interview or discuss with a potential employer. So here are six secrets that will help you feel more confident in negotiating a salary.

1. Wait until the end of the interview to discuss the salary. They should have clearly told you that they want to hire you.

You want this negotiation to happen at the end of the interview so that the employer has a chance to get to know you. This could be more favorable for you, as the employer may decide to offer you a higher salary than what they were thinking of for the position based on how well they like you as you are being interviewed. 

2. Use the negotiation to find out the highest salary the employer is willing to pay you. 

Employers usually have a salary figure in mind. It is your job to find out what that is and come up with a range to ask for that is close to that figure. 

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3. Don't be the one to bring up the salary first.

Let the employer ask you what you want to be paid, or let them mention what the pay is. Studies have shown that whoever starts this conversation usually loses in the negotiation. 

4. Do some research on salary figures in your field area. 

Go to a job interview prepared knowing what the salary figures are for a person in the position the job interview is for. If you are educated, there is a chance you can get a higher salary than what the employer is willing to pay you. You will be able to ask for a higher salary.

5. Gather research on the range an employer is willing to pay, and come up with your own range.

You can ask other people or employees. Find out the pay of anyone above and below you, and you can base your range off of their salaries.

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6. Make sure you discuss everything about salaries and benefits before taking the position.

See what benefits they are willing to offer you on top of the salary. Make sure the benefits that are important to you are covered. It is best to get your agreement in writing at this point so you can refer back to it if needed. They may honestly forget all that they promised you in the interview.

"Chapter 5 The Six Secrets of Salary Negotiation." What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers. 2016 ed. Ten Speed, 2015. 82-97. Print.