For those who are pursuing their first real job after receiving a college degree, it can be intimidating and overwhelming to discuss salary. Unfortunately, if the prospective employee doesn’t bring it up, it can be much easier for a manager to offer a low-ball number. Instead of simply accepting whatever a business is willing to offer, it is often effective for even entry-level candidates to engage in negotiations for a higher salary. If you or someone you know is interested in learning effective techniques, the following steps can be a big source of help.
Do Your Homework
Before setting a target salary for the negotiations, it is important to research how much similar positions generally pay. This information can be found through a number of publicly available resources and should be limited to the same region since salaries can vary dramatically from one state to the next. Showing up to negotiation with all your ducks in a row is a great way to make a compelling case for a higher pay rate.
Think About Benefits
Even if a negotiation stalls at a salary that is less than the candidate is willing to accept, there might be a reason to accept the position anyway. After all, there is the possibility of a raise after working successfully in the position for a period of time. Instead of a bigger paycheck, it is possible that health care coverage, vacation time, a retirement plan, and remote work options are enough to offset the lower salary. In the end, it is all about what is best for an individual employee to decide what is best for the particular situation.
Make Your Case
Although it might be tempting to become confrontational in the face of what appears to be an insufficient salary, it is important to note that this is often just a starting point in the negotiation. Instead of being offended, remaining calm and rational while presenting facts in an organized manner is a great strategy for offering a persuasive argument that could result in a bigger salary.