3 Tips To Negotiate Your Salary

I always ask this question in class.

“What are some of the reasons why you want to find a job?”

And one answer is almost always a given.

“Because I want to earn money.”

Most, if not all of us work because there is some form of salary, stipend or monetary reward we can look forward to.

However meagre or generous the pay package is, negotiating your salary is always a sensitive topic most people avoid. This is because they do not know how to approach it and are afraid to open their mouths to ask.

In this blog post, let me share 3 tips on how you should negotiate your salary (if you feel you deserve more than what is offered).

Tip #1: Know The Market Rate

Do your research.

There is a graduate employment survey released yearly. This compiles the salary ranges of recent university and polytechnic graduates respectively from the different courses of study. Armed with this piece of information, you will have a better idea of the pay scale in the industry you have your sights on.

When you know the realistic amount you can ask for, you will not be overpricing yourself. Neither will you be demeaning yourself of your worth.

You can also ask peers working in the same industry for advice.

I always advise my workshop participants to have a salary range, from $X to $Y. This allows you to be flexible and open to negotiation.

Tip #2: Showcase Your Proudest Moments

Highlight your stellar achievements and justify how you have made a significant difference to that project or committee.

Remember, it’s your attributes and skill sets that matter. It is pointless to only list your achievements. You need to curate and showcase your proudest moments so they really make a difference and add brownie points to justify for the salary you are asking.

Tip #3: Have Strong Belief

Have confidence.

In particular, your body language needs to project that.

Do a quick self-check – are you slouching? Are your shoulders hunched? Or is your breathing faster than normal? These are all tell-tale signs that you lack belief that you actually deserve that higher salary.

When you exude belief, it shows in your body posture. Your eyes light up, your shoulders are relaxed and you speak with direct conviction. If you are not convinced yourself, do you think others will be?

When it comes to money issues, especially a sensitive one like the salary, everyone’s intelligence will go up a few notches. Therefore, you have to ensure you are well prepared to negotiate your way successfully.

Best of luck =)