Salary Negotiation Know- How
By Dona DeZube,
Whether you're after a more lucrative job or are just trying to fatten your weekly paycheck,
asking for a raise is an exercise in negotiation. And the first step is to know what you want.
"Look at the total compensation picture before you start to negotiate your paycheck, including
bonuses, commissions, health insurance, medical and dependent care spending accounts,
profit sharing, paid vacation, stock options and other offerings," says Allen Salikof, president
and CEO at Management Recruiters International Inc., one of the world's largest search and
recruitment organizations.
"All of these benefits can impact your total financial picture -- never evaluate your salary in a
vacuum," he adds.
Salikof offers these 10 tips you should keep in mind as you head into salary negotiation talks:
Ask
You've heard of "Don't ask, don't tell" rules, right? Well, the first rule of salary negotiation is,
"Don't ask, don't get." You're unlikely to ever get more than a cost-of-living adjustment unless
you have the guts to ask for more. So get your arguments set, your nerves steeled and go for
it.
Do Your Homework
Find out what others in your position make. Our
Salary Wizard has information on many jobs.
Also, check with trade associations, ask recruiters what folks in your niche earn, and browse
through the job postings to see how your salary compares to those being offered to new
employees.
Know Your True Value
Have you saved your company money, improved a process or met your quota? If you've had
an impact on the company's bottom line, know the exact figure. You could even suggest that
it's fitting for you to see 5 percent of that figure in your paycheck. Suggest the company tie
your compensation to measurable bottom-line results. If your position doesn't have a specific
line in the budget, be ready to prove that your work improved morale or employee retention.
The key is to provide data that
shows your value
to the company.
Be Your Own Advocate
Make sure you bring your list of accomplishments to your boss's attention. You are the best
source of information about you, and you have to be willing to step up to the plate and go to
bat for yourself. Don't count on your boss to simply suggest you ought to earn more money or
to notice you haven't had a raise in 10 years. You need to be willing to brag about yourself.
Plan Ahead
If you want an early raise, let your bosses know you'd like to discuss the issue so you can give
them a peek at what you want from the next raise. Ask for a meeting to conduct a prereview
discussion.
It's Never Too Late to Ask for More
If you've already had your performance review, ask for a different type of raise -- perhaps a
merit increase or an accelerated performance review that's retroactive based on meeting
agreed-upon objectives.
Wait Your Turn
Don't even think about being the first one to
ask about money during an interview
. Wait for
your interviewer to put an offer on the table. What should you do if you're pressed to name a
salary? Give the interviewer a range or a vague answer, like "The salary I expect depends
upon the job's exact specifications. Can you tell me more about it?"
Know When to Fold
Consider other job opportunities and be prepared to leave your job if you can't get the salary
you deserve. Nothing gives an employee more confidence in asking for a raise than having
another job offer in the hopper. On the other hand, if you go into a performance review and
don't get the raise you want, don't ever quit on the spot. It's easier to find a job when you
have one than when you're unemployed.
Everything Counts
When calculating your salary, remember to include the value of benefits, such as bonuses,
commissions, health insurance, flexible spending accounts, profit sharing, paid vacation and
stock offerings. If a potential employer asks how much you make in your current position, you
can honestly say, "My total compensation is..." and then give them the figure that includes
everything.
Don't Underestimate the Value of Happiness
If you're happy in your job and the only thing you can't get is more money, maybe it's not time
to leave. There's no way to put a price tag on having a job you enjoy.
