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Various Tips On How To Successfully Negotiate Your Salary - Jobs/Vacancies - Nairaland

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Various Tips On How To Successfully Negotiate Your Salary by forandy(m): 7:20am On Sep 16, 2017
Negotiating your salary isn’t an easy task. But if you do it right, it will change both your professional and personal life. Having the desired salary will keep you motivated for a longer time, you will be able to focus to your main work, instead of seeking for additional income channels. So in turn, your performance will increase exposing you to even better career opportunities in the future.

Here are some helpful and applicable tips:


1. Do Some Research
Research a fair salary – either before going to the interview or when you receive the job offer. You must know how much the position you want is usually paid. So ask your friends, your family, search for the information online. Check online job classifieds for similar positions, as you can find classifieds with disclosed salary info. When you find the average amount that job is paid, you might want to add some extra – this way, you leave room for the negotiation part.

2. Take Your Time If Needed
If the job offer it’s done instantly after the interview and you are taken by surprise, don’t be afraid to postpone your answer. Say you need some more time to think about the proposal. Go home and do your job – check out if proposal is relevant, or maybe you need re-negotiate conditions.

3. Set a Minimum and Don’t Go Below It
Make sure you calculate your needs and potential additional cost related to new job – for example travelling expenses, new clothing etc. Figure out what is the minimum amount that you would accept for this specific job. Be firm and be ready to day very clear “no” if the negotiation goes under your minimum salary. Do not compromise yourself. And try to avoid answering questions regarding your current income or your salary expectations in the first place. Also never disclose your salary in past working place. If you are asked about that – you can always say that your previous contract doesn’t allow to disclose some confidential info, including salary. Because if potential employer gets this info – it will surely affect the negotiation.

4. If Possible – Arrange for a Face to Face Negotiation
Set up a meeting face to face, it’s easier to make an impression and be convincing in your requests when you connect with the other person. People tend to react better face to face than when you are just a voice or a picture, especially when it’s a salary discussion. You will also be able to follow emotions of employers and will have a better feeling if you are pushing too much.
Avoid this conversation over the phone or by the e-mail. If you have no choice – phone call is a better alternative than mailing.

5. Be Confident When You Meet Your Employer
It’s not easy, so you might need some practice. Role-play the whole meeting with someone your trust and practice to improve your communication skills. If possible -ask help from someone who has experience in HR area. If nobody can help you – practice standing in front of a mirror.

6. Keep Your Emotions To Yourself
When the employer says the job offer out loud – never show your emotions. Doesn’t matter if you are happy or disappointed. Stay silent for a moment. Even if the offer is very generous and you like it, don’t rush into saying “yes”. Make a small pause pretending you are thinking about it. It will show them that you are not surprised and you are confident. Moreover, they might increase the offer while the silent moment. Surely, don’t take longer than a couple of seconds, to avoid making it awkward

7. Don’t Be the First To Mention the Salary
It’s better to let the employer say a number before you ask for it. Because if you say smaller sum than employer planned to pay – 99 % of employers will pay you less. Only one of 100 will pay you more than you asked just because he initially planned to pay more. Focus on your experience, your soft skills and the value you could bring at the new workplace. Sell yourself, but without bragging or overselling it. It will convince the employer that you are the best choice and that the company will benefit from hiring you.

8. Be Flexible
Usually employers have very limited flexibility when speaking about salaries. In most cases max possible salary is defined and employer can’t go above it. So it may happen that he or she won’t be able to make you an offer you expecting. Try to feel if its just negotiation game, or employer really have no opportunity to suggest you a better salary. Maybe its time to be flexible? If there’s nothing you can change regarding the salary – think about other things acceptable for you. Negotiate other compensation like working hours, bonuses, extra days of vacation, work laptop, phone, car etc. Finally discuss about futur opportunities – maybe its realistic to get salary increase in 6 months.

9. Prove How Much You Are Worth
Sometimes demonstrating your knowledge and skills in reality works as the best argument to pursue employer you are the best candidate. Once the employer realizes how good you are, it is more likely he or she will meet your salary request. So do not be afraid to do some mini task for free to prove your skills and potential value for the company.

Thanks for reading through smiley
Hope this helps someone smiley smiley smiley

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Re: Various Tips On How To Successfully Negotiate Your Salary by brightgreat(m): 7:33am On Sep 16, 2017
That your number 2 tho.....You forgot this is Nigeria
Re: Various Tips On How To Successfully Negotiate Your Salary by forandy(m): 10:54am On Sep 24, 2017
brightgreat:
That your number 2 tho.....You forgot this is Nigeria

Lol. .didn't forget this is Naija. There are actually some companies that would grant that.

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