The Salary Negotiation Haunted House

Are you ready for the Salary Negotiation Haunted Attraction? Career Services is here to expose the dark secrets hidden within the dreaded salary negotiation process. The Job Search Haunted Attraction features key information that will help you unlock your full potential, and insider tips on how to master the salary negotiation process. There are 5 thrilling Haunted Attractions in the Salary Negotiation Haunted House. Here, I will walk you through each attraction in hopes that you will no longer fear this crucial process in the job search and interviewing process.

Analyze Employment Trends

The most important step in salary negotiation is to know how much you’re worth. Research starting salaries for the specific industry you plan to go in. Some questions to ask yourself might be: What level of degree you have? Have you had any prior internships or other experiences with in the field? What area are you looking to live in? There are many resources to gather this information such as glassdoor.com and salary.com.

Research the Company

In addition to reaching industry salaries, the next step is to research company specific salaries. Information like average starting salaries, benefits, and whether or not relocation and signing bonuses are offered is important in understanding what your starting salary should be. This information coupled with what you gathered on the industry trends will help you figure an accurate estimate of how much you should be paid.

Know your skills and abilities

Knowing what your strengths are, and what sets you apart from others will give you a huge advantage in the salary negotiation process. Identify you strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth to pin point your unique skills and experiences that make you valuable. If you are able to effectively articulate these qualities, you could possibly negotiate a higher salary for yourself.

Don’t present the first Offer

Now that we have covered everything you need before the interview, let’s discuss how to master the actual negotiation. During the hiring process you probably will be asked what salary you are looking for. This is not the right time for you to present the number you figured in the previous steps. The amount you have estimated might be lower than the amount the company is willing to pay; therefore, you should always let the company present the first offer. If asked what offer you are considering, you should respond with something to the effect of “I’m seeking a competitive offer; however, at this moment, I’m more interested in what I will be doing for the company.”

Consider the offer at hand

Once you have passed the initial stage of salary negotiation, and the company has given you an offer. Don’t agree too that offer too quickly. You want to be sure that you have given yourself enough time to consider the offer, and that it is a reasonable amount. After you’ve given yourself some time and you’ve decided that the offer is reasonable go ahead and accept your offer and get to work!

Practice, Practice, Practice

Although I laid out the steps you should take in the salary negotiation process, like most things, you can never know what to expect until you are in that moment. To help prepare you should practice with friends, family members or your Career Service staff. Have them go over everything that could happen during the negotiation process. This way you are better prepared for any surprises that could occur.

I hope that this helps, and you have a better idea of how to approach the salary negotiation process. Be safe and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.