8 Powerful Ways To Negotiate Salary In An Interview
Salary negotiation is perhaps one of the most challenging parts of job searches.
It can be daunting for seasoned professionals, so you can imagine the stress you may face as a newbie in the job landscape.
Settling for a random offer can slow down your career growth. Moreover, you may end up being unhappy and frustrated by taking a lowball offer.
You may not want to give up a chance when it looks like a dream job. Hence, learning the skill of negotiation gives you a good start, but there is no magic pill for it.
Here are some proven navigation strategies first-time jobseekers can rely on.
1. Ramp up your confidence
Beginners are likely to run low on confidence during the first job interview, and salary negotiation sounds like a massive feat. You need some secrets to make a good impression.
You may not have an impressive resume showing years of experience, but it does not mean you should settle for less than other candidates.
Start your journey confidently and look for strengths and skills that set you apart from others. Potential bosses might prioritize your enthusiasm and passion for learning over the experienced candidates.
Believe in yourself and handle the negotiation part without apprehension.
2. Sell your accomplishments
Selling your accomplishments is the key to doing well during an entry-level salary negotiation. You can highlight your academic achievements, internships, and student experience in your resume and use them to show that you deserve better pay.
Besides showcasing the upsides of hiring you on a higher salary on paper, you must have convincing arguments to validate the same.
Once again, everything boils down to your confidence because it can make or break your conversation with the recruiter.
3. Look at the entire offer
A smaller salary offer than you expect sounds discouraging to a newbie. Likewise, you may slip for a bigger one without understanding whether it is actually good enough.
But you must remember that salary is not the only thing that matters when it comes to the overall remuneration. A lot more things make one offer better than the other, even if it is less in the valuation figure.
These include work flexibility, tuition reimbursement, PTO, and even retirement savings contributions by your employer.
Think long-term, even if it seems too early to consider retirement savings contributions. You must see the complete package to seal the deal or negotiate further.
4. Steer clear of exaggerations
While you must sell your accomplishments and skills, steer clear of exaggerations. It may be your first time, but recruiters have enough experience to see through the bluff.
Avoid praising yourself too much or using a boastful tone because you may end up closing the doors to negotiation.
In fact, the recruiter may not even consider you for the job because they view such behavior as a negative signal.
Be honest and polite, and ask for what you actually deserve instead of setting bait and trying your luck with a high asking figure.
5. Brush up your facts
Never proceed with job searches without brushing up on your facts beforehand.
You must have enough knowledge of the industry and the job landscape before taking an opportunity.
You can check the potential by finding out salary ranges for your location, career field, and job level online.
Several job websites and jobseeker forums give you a fair idea. You can talk to someone with experience in the same industry to get input on the expected salary.
Consider collaborating with a salary negotiation agent to help you ask for the amount you deserve. Being updated ensures that you never settle for less, even without previous experience.
6. Avoid accepting the first offer on the table
Accepting the first table on the offer sounds good to a first-timer, but it is the last thing you should do.
Avoid getting too enthusiastic because it often happens with first-timers when they get their first offer. But you may regret an impulsive decision within a few months only.
Assess the details thoroughly to understand whether it matches your expectations. Consider factors like the salary, benefits, organizational culture, and room for growth to understand the viability of the offer.
If it does not sound like the one you want, be ready to negotiate instead of accepting it outright.
7. Understand your expenses
While you must consider the potential earnings while negotiating the salary, dig deep into your expenses.
The idea is to understand how much money you need to earn to sustain yourself comfortably. Take it as a base number to start your negotiations. Asides a negotiation skill, you need to take some career decisions when you’re a starter.
Do not hesitate to negotiate if a salary figure does not seem to cover your living expenses. You may even give up on it regardless of being a dream start.
Your location is a key consideration in this context. A certain figure may be good enough in a city where the cost of living is low, but it may not work in an expensive location. You must calculate the reasonable cost of living to understand your expectations realistically.
8. Take your time
Patience is the key when it comes to negotiating a job offer, so you must take your time to contemplate and decide. Beginners need to be extra careful because they are more likely intimidated by recruiters.
Alternatively, being too bold leads to the risk of losing a good opportunity right at the start of your career.
Think clearly and seek advice from a specialist to decide on your negotiation strategy. Feel free to request the recruiter for more time because it gives them a good impression.
People who are not hasty in such situations are assets to an organization, so you have better chances of getting a favorable outcome.
Conclusion
Negotiating your first salary is a good idea, no matter how daunting it sounds. Be ready for the money conversation with the recruiter, and do not shy away from asking for more.
You must get what you deserve because your first salary often determines the growth trajectory of your career. Settling for less gives you the wrong start, and you may fall into a slow-growth cycle.
