Shifting jobs? Here’s how you can negotiate to ensure a better salary

Monday October 16, 2017 , 3 min Read

Negotiation is a skill. However, not many people are good at it. If you learn the art of negotiation, you can get your way in life without trying too hard. Several people switch jobs with the intention of earning a better income. However, if you are not skilled at negotiation, your job switching can be for nothing. If you want to secure a better salary, you need to hone your bargaining skills. But first, you need to understand that negotiation is a part of the interview process. The HR almost expects it. In fact, they'll be surprised if you don't negotiate at all.

Image: Shutterstock

Here's how job seekers today are negotiating for a higher salary:

Recognize your worth

Till you don't know the value you hold for the company, negotiation won't come easily to you. Start by analyzing the peripheral skills you have amassed over the years. List them down and use them as ammunition while negotiating. For example, a marketing manager with 10 years of experience, an entrepreneurial background, and proficiency in Photoshop is far more valuable to a company that someone with just five years of experience and nothing else to offer.

Do your research

Research is essential for successful negotiation. Start by finding out the average salary for your position, the average salary in your area, and the average salary for this specific company. Based on your research, you'll be better equipped to back your salary request with evidence and facts. What's more? You'll be able to walk into the interview room with much more confidence.

Don't use your previous salary as a base

One crucial mistake that amateur salary negotiators make is to use their previous salary as a base. Demanding a small additional percentage over your old salary or just settling for what you already made will leave you unsatisfied. Instead, evaluate your objective value to the company and base your negotiations on your research. If possible, don't even mention your old salary in the interview.

Go beyond base salary

Before your interview, psych yourself up to negotiate for more than just a base salary. Ask yourself what's most important to you in a job offer. Is it extra vacation days or flexible work-from-home hours? Don't hold yourself back from getting creative with your peripheral benefits. If a more robust health plan or a retirement plan is what you have in mind, go for it.

Be confident

If you are confident, you'll have an easier time negotiating with your interviewer. Be sure to consistently maintain confident cues throughout the interaction. Keep your posture straight and open. Refrain from excessive hand movements and maintain eye contact without staring. Also, speak genuinely and deliberately to make yourself sound more professional.

While there is absolutely no guarantee that you'll emerge from the interview room a winner, there is no harm in trying. In fact, if you don't negotiate at all, you'll be doing yourself a great disservice.