Salary Negotiation

Learn salary negotiation techniques that will increase your income without alienating your supervisor
By Amy Hunter Negotiating pay is a touchy situation. In many negotiations, you make your deal and never see the person again. In salary negotiations, you continue to work with the person on a daily basis.

Because negotiating salary involves people with whom you have an ongoing relationship, it is important to balance your desire for compensation with the need to maintain a pleasant work environment.

Consider the following when it comes to salary negotiation skills:

1. Throughout the salary negotiation process, remember you're both on the same team.

2. Use salary negotiation techniques, but remember that there is only a certain amount of money available.

3. A successful salary negotiation depends on more than your job description and length of employment.

Improve your presentation and communication skills before negotiating salary

Salary negotiation skills must be developed, and include the ability to calmly explain your accomplishments, mention any projects you have worked on that were particularly successful, and one of the most important salary negotiation tips, point out what you have done for the company to increase its revenue.
Try:  New Conversations offers open source materials for improving your communication skills. Visit MindTools to polish your presentation skills.

Treat salary negotiation as any other job skill

Effective salary negotiation is an important part of any job. Effectively negotiating for salary can increase your lifetime earnings tremendously. Salary negotiation techniques are important not only when starting a new job, but during annual reviews and when applying for new positions within a company.
Try:  Karrass offers courses that teach salary negotiation skills. Another company, Career Protection, offers consultations from human resource experts, who help to guide your salary negotiation process.

Expect salary negotiation procedures as part of the work environment

Many of us are uncomfortable talking about pay, but it is unavoidable during salary negotiations. When you are negotiating pay it is helpful to remember that your supervisor expects a back-and-forth dialog. You may be tempted to procrastinate when it comes to your salary negotiation, but the danger of waiting too long is that you may become stagnant in a position, which reduces your negotiating power. Wait until you receive a job offer to discuss salary, and let your employer make you an initial offer. Know what the average salary is for your position, as well as your value to the company. Finally, complete salary negotiations before negotiating benefits or other types of compensation.
Try:  The US Department of Labor provides research on salary based on occupation and location. Take time to review the Noel Smith-Winkle Negotiation Method, a proven method of successful negotiation. Think you are ready? Take the S.A.B. negotiating test to determine where your salary negotiation skills may fall short.