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The Magic Number: How to Negotiate the Salary You WantMar 09 '01 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line How to negotiate a salary in the interviewing process. When it comes to salary negotiations in an interview process, every job applicant has (or should have) a magic number. During the interview and recruitment process, some job applicants feel uncomfortable discussing salaries. Some applicants may also appear to place too much emphasis on the salary, which may be a turnoff to the employer. As a Human Resource professional, I can help advise as an employer (and former job applicant) to help ease the process of salary negotiations in the interview process. • Do not negotiate salaries over the phone. Salary negotiates are best to confirm with the employer face to face. Most employers will send an offer letter to confirm your salary before you start the position. Be prepared to have a specific salary in mind, so that you do not appear disconcerted when the question comes up. • The work you do should always comparable to the salary you make. Do not set unrealistic expectations for a job, or allow yourself to be underpaid for your contributions. Research the position, position requirements, and company. For example, non-profit organizations typically pay less for a management position than a Fortune 500 company. However, some employers may be more generous with paid time off, flexibility, and workload responsibilities than a larger company offering a bigger salary. As a job applicant, you should make a determination on the hours you are willing to work and the salary and benefits that you want and are willing to accept. There are salary “calculators” online (http://www.salary.com is a good one to use) that can help you determine generic salary scales for the job in your area. • Do not project an image that you cannot support if you are hired, or that is not proportionate with salary for the position. You will waste your time and the employer’s time if you aren’t hired. If you are actually hired, you will be expected to do the work you aren’t ready to do. Either way, you could set yourself up for failure. Be honest with yourself and what you are capable of accomplishing. • Do not try to play hardball when you lack the credentials for the position. I have interviewed job candidates wanting to make six figures straight out of college. Set realistic goals for the position you are applying and for your work experience. • If you lack professional experience, market your college achievements, community involvement, or professional affiliations. This experience is also valuable to an organization, and should be considered in negotiating your salary. Negotiate all of your accomplishments and experience. • For better or worse, you get what you negotiate. Several years ago, I interviewed for a job a Human Resources Manager for a company. On my second interview, the Vice President informed me that he would like to extend me an offer, although it was $5,000 less than what I was making in the job I was currently working. I informed him that it was significantly less than what I was making, and he told me that he could not hire me in at the salary level, because I would be making more than anyone else in his department. We negotiated a little, and I ended up taking $3,000 less, and a $3,000 sign on bonus, with the “promise” of future opportunities and future bonuses. This wasn’t a better offer than what I was currently at, because bonuses the bonus was taxed at 28%, and any future increases were averaged on the lesser salary. Basically, I accepted less take home pay to take a position that was three times the work of the job I left. However, I take full responsibility for that career decision. I wanted that job so much, that I did not consider all of the factors involved. As a result, I ended up with a job and salary that made me unhappy for two years. I did learn something valuable from the experience. Don’t allow yourself to get desperate in an interview or undervalue your experience, because the employer will be able to sense that. Employers have a set salary in mind that they can pay, and it would be a better business decision to offer the lowest end of that scale. Good luck in your job search. Always believe in the possibilities within yourself!  |
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