How to Negotiate your Desired Salary

This post is labeled under Career Move

Fresh graduates commonly think that any salary (or what the minimum wage sets) will do for them as a start due to lack of experience. Some employers benefit from this wrong notion. They will save every penny from a potential resource they may have: YOU.

As I mentioned on my previous blogs, think job interviews as business transaction: it’s a two-way relationship. Both parties should benefit from the deals you negotiate.

But how do you negotiate the salary that you want? Here’s the tip:

1. Determine first the responsibilities and expectations from the job position. It is common that organizations let you fill-up their 201 or personal data form. You need to accomplish this form. On the portion where it asks your desired salary, simple put a dash on it or write “to be discussed” to show that you did not skip this part.

If you are on the early start of the interview and asked your desired salary, simply remind your interviewer that salary is important to you but you want to explore first the responsibilities and much interested knowing the expectations from the position you are applying for. This will create an impression that you are not just there for the money. Discuss to them the possibilities of your contributions if ever you will get the job.

Normally, salary negotiation takes place on the last part of the interview or on the job offer stage.

2. Know the salary range of the position the job market offers. Do your homework. You should already have an idea of how much pay you could get for the positions similar to what you are eyeing for. There are websites which offer information salary ranges depending on your country. The information is your gauge whether your asking salary is realistic for the position. Are you negotiating too high or too low?

3. Start on a negotiable level. If the market dictates that the position should at least receive US$ 3,000 monthly, do not ask for US$ 7,000 which is more than double on what the market pays. And you think 3K is not enough for your qualifications, you should start negotiating for 4.5K if you target a 4K salary. Do you get the idea?

4. Ask for other benefits. Even Top 500 companies pay not much as what the job market listing suggests. But if you look closely, the fringe benefits sum up to the totally of the package they offered to their employees. These are free bus transport, lunches, medical coverage of family members, retirement plan among others. You should consider these also as you make your decision in accepting the job.

The secret in getting the salary you want is to discuss effectively your qualifications as it matches up to the position. This goes true to experienced and even to newly graduates. Fresh graduates can discussed their experience/contributions on class projects or school organizations. Apply the STAR style approach in delivering your achievements. Those with leadership stints have an edge over those who simply sidelined their qualifications.

Make an impression --- a good one, please!

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