A very easy way to earn more money is not after you have a job, but before you even start. Many people don’t realize that when you get hired, your starting pay falls in a range that HR has allowed to A very easy way to earn more money is not after you have a job, but before you even start. Many people don’t realize that when you get hired, your starting pay falls in a range that HR is allowed to pay you. Most companies will try to give you a starting salary at the bottom of that range in case you try to counter and negotiate your starting pay. Most people will just accept whatever pay a company is willing to pay them based on fear of not getting the job. What you need to remember is that the company just gave you an offer. They want you to work for them and go into the job offer expecting you to counter.
Negotiating your starting salary by just a couple percent can make a huge difference in the total amount you get paid over years of work. Here are some tips I’ve come up with that can help you get a higher starting pay.
1. DO YOUR RESEARCH
You should always go into salary negotiations with the proper research. Know what your specific job title’s salary range is and in your area of the country you will be working. If you are trying to get a job as a Marketing Manager in Maple Grove, MN, you most likely can’t ask for the average salary of a person with the same job in Los Angeles, California. Also, what is equally important to knowing the average wage of your job title in the industry is to also know where you stand in that industry. If this is your first year out of college, you are going to have a hard time getting the same wage as someone with 10 years of solid relevant work experience behind them.
2. BE SPECIFIC
Don’t use a range like $50k-55k. Using a ballpark range suggests that you haven’t done much research and that you are willing to take whatever they give you. When you give a range, the hiring party will always choose the bottom of that salary range. Instead, be specific about how much you want to be paid. Coming in with an exact number like $54,500 for example will show that you have given a lot of extra thought and prove that you have done your industry research.
3. BE CONFIDENT 😎
Most likely the company hiring you was sold on your ability to sell yourself to them. You proved to them that your skill set and personality will be a good fit with the company. When it comes to negotiating your starting salary, don’t lose your confidence. Be confident going into the negotiation. It will help sell your points of why you think you should be paid more than what you were initially offered.
4. KNOW YOUR WORTH
When asking for a higher starting wage, you will sometimes be asked, “why should we pay you more?” Highlight strong skills that set you apart from most people in your industry. Explain what extra value you will bring to the company if they hire you.
5. IMPORTANCE OF TIMING
This piece of advice is very important. Don’t come into a salary negotiation and say what you want right off the bat. You could come in too low and leave a lot of money on the table. Or you could come in way to high and turn the person off from negotiating all together.
6. NEVER MENTION PERSONAL REASONS 😭
This is a pet peeve I have when hiring someone. It isn’t the company’s fault you are behind on your mortgage or that your rent has gone up. Every single person has his or her own set of personal problems. That isn’t the reason why a company hires someone. They hire someone by what an employee can bring to the table. Focus on what value your bring to the company.
7. COUNT TO 7 AFTER YOUR FIRST OFFER 🙊 🙊
When you’ve been given your first offer across the table count to 7. Yes, I literally mean to count 1,2,3…7 in your head. The silence might get awkward, but those 7 seconds can earn you thousands of dollars. I have used this method many times with previous employers. The silence will sometimes make the hiring manager nervous making them fold. By just pausing and waiting I’ve had people offer more money numerous times without me even saying a word of negotiation.
8. DON’T BE AFRAID TO HEAR “NO"
If you ask for a higher starting salary and the employer says “no” it doesn’t mean negotiations is done. Don’t be pushy, but come back and reiterate why you think you deserve a higher starting salary. Don’t get too cocky here, but be confident and explain what value you will bring to the company.
9. DON’T THREATEN TO LEAVE 😡
This is a big turn off to the hiring company. Even though they want to hire you, nobody wants someone around who will make threats if they don’t get their own way. If you don’t get the number you think you deserve don’t ever say “well I will just leave then” or that you will just get a job somewhere else. This usually always ends negotiations and leaves a bad taste in conversation. Keep the conversation positive and don’t be demanding or pushy.
I hope you find these tips helpful and that they can help you negotiate a higher starting salary. If you use any of these tips and they work, let me know! Also, if you have any suggestions that you have used that have worked in the past to get a higher starting wage, write it below in the comments.
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I agree. This is of utmost importance. Great post!
Followed :)
Thank you!