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Salary Negotiation

You've been offered a job — great! Now, how can you negotiate the salary you want without losing the job?

Negotiating your salary is a key part of the job search process. Talking about salary with your future employer can set the tone for your future work life. Wait until after you receive a job offer to start talking about compensation.

Since negotiating is a two-way street, try to find a win-win situation. Everyone approaches this process differently, so use the tips below that you're most comfortable with.

Evaluate the offer wisely

  • Know the salary you can reasonably expect for the type of position you seek.
  • Identify your own salary needs according to your household budget. Use the Reality Check Tool to accomplish this.
  • Try to find out the salary range for the position before the interview. Contacting the interviewer's secretary, the personnel office, or a networking contact that works in the company may be helpful.
  • Remember that salary is only one part of job compensation. Often better benefits, like flexible schedules or excellent health insurance — make up for a lower salary. Assess the job offer in terms of your needs, benefits, and long-term career and life goals. Talk it over with someone you respect. Make a list of the pros and cons of the job offer.

Communicate effectively

  • It is not usually recommended to accept an offer on the spot. Express your appreciation and strong interest in the job. Request at least 24 hours to consider it, even when saying "Yes." Ask any questions you need clarified.
  • If you want the job, make that clear. If you are uncertain, state there are some items you would like to discuss before you can accept the job. Suggest meeting further to talk about the offer.
  • Listen carefully. If the offer is less than you expected, let them know that, but state you are still interested in the position if they want to reconsider their offer.
  • Begin the negotiation with reasonable requests. Those requests could include more money, Employee Benefits, tuition, training, more vacation time, a flexible schedule, stock options, company car, on-site daycare, parking privileges, etc.
  • Negotiations should never become emotional or hostile. Use your value, skills, experience, and education to negotiate. Do not use your need for the job to negotiate.

Understand the rules of the game

  • Don't assume the first offer is fixed. Even if the interviewer tells you it is, it rarely is.
  • If the same figure is offered a couple days later, it probably is the last offer. In that case, you can ask for a salary review in six months to evaluate your performance and value. Or you can turn the job down, asking that they keep you in mind for future openings paying more money. If you do this, remember not to burn bridges — you never know what might happen.
  • Even when saying "no," leave the door open to negotiation. (But don't use "no" as a trick to negotiate a higher wage. When you say "no," be ready to lose the job forever.)
  • When you reach an agreement, request the agreement in writing.

Source: Creative Job Search, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development