Salary Negotiation

A golden rule when job-hunting is to make sure you discuss salary before you agree to take the job. Afterwards try to "negotiate" your salary so you end up with the best salary ever. However, you do not need to be scared because there are six simple secrets to keep in mind when trying to negotiate a salary.

1. Never Discuss Salary Until the End of the Whole Interviewing Process. If you really shine during the hiring interview, the employer may-at the end-offer you a higher salary than they originally had in mind when the interview first started.

2. The Purpose of Salary Negotiation Is to Uncover the Most That an Employer Is Willing to Pay to Get You.  The employer's goal is to save money when hiring. Whereas, your goal is to bring home the most money you possibly can. Therefore, it is good to have a range of money you are willing to accept in a negotiation in mind before the hiring process takes place.

3. Never Be the First One to Mention a Salary Figure. The employer is trying to pay the least they can for you and you want the employer to pay the most they can for you. If you mention salary first it might be at the low end of what the employer was planning to hire you for and they might accept your offer right away without further negotiation, which is not what you want. You want to hear what they have to say first and then negotiate from there.

4.  Before an Interview, Do Some Careful Research on Typical Salaries for Your Field. Do research online and off in order to see the salaries for particular positions, occupations, or industries. This research gives you a good idea of what salary is appropriate to negotiate.

5. Research the Range That the Employer Likely Has in Mind, and Then Define an Interrelated Range for Yourself, Relative to the Employer's Range. When negotiating you want to be somewhat on the same page as the employer because this allows you to negotiate a better salary. Before you go in for the interview, figure out an "asking" range for yourself. This asking range should "hook in" just below the employer's maximum, then go up from there.

6. Know How to Bring the Salary Negotiation to a Close; Don't Leave It "Just Hanging." Salary negotiation is not finished unless benefits are discussed as well. Make sure you come to the interview with an idea of benefits that are most important to you. Also, always get the negotiation in writing with a signature because you never know if the employer will forget what you discussed during the interview when it comes to your salary.