4 ways to handle a salary negotiation

There are several instances in which you’ll have to discuss your pay, whether you’re following up on a job offer or trying to get a rise at your current company. Whatever the circumstance, it’s important to be prepared. Luckily, The Muse has recently published some great pointers for dealing with a salary negotiation.

1 They ask what you expect
When a recruiter or manager asks what your expectations are it’s an easy way for them to gage whether they can pay you less than they were originally willing to offer. Try to find a way to turn the question back on them, saying it’s the role that interests you more than the compensation, or tell them you’re flexible and ask what they’re offering. If push comes to shove, research the going rate for similar positions so you can have an exact figure in mind.

2 They ask what you’re making now
Again, employers will use this as an excuse to pay you well below what they had in mind. Sometimes you have to disclose this on your application, but The Muse’s Erica Gellerman suggests writing “N/A” if you can. That way you can still take control of the salary negotiation by highlighting the differences in responsibility between your current job and the new one.

3 They don’t have room to negotiate
Sometimes a potential employer simply doesn’t have the budget to offer you a higher salary. If you’re truly interested in the position and willing to take less than you were hoping, ask about the other benefits of working for the company. If the initial package still doesn’t sound that appealing, try to negotiate other perks, such as flexible working or training opportunities. Leave the conversation open so you can revisit your pay at a later date when you’ve had a chance to prove your worth.

4 They promise the chance to renegotiate later
If the employer won’t budge on your pay now but promises there will be an opportunity to discuss a rise in the future, don’t let them forget. Ask to have that caveat stated in writing or in your contract. If they don’t initially say you can revisit the topic, lead them into an agreement by saying: “I understand there’s no room for a salary negotiation at the moment, but I’m keen to take the role. If I achieve [such and such objective] in [time frame], can we talk about my pay again?” This shows that your goal is to progress in the role and tells the recruiter that you’re driven by incentives.

Read the original article at muse.cm/2ix2wA5