How to negotiate salary at job offer to maximize pay

You might not know how to justify the number of zeroes you want to be added to your paycheck. You might think, "Can I lose a job offer by negotiating salary?"

You might be worried that you’ll come across as demanding or ungrateful. It’s so sad.

Are you really thinking this way?

Actually, you don’t know how to negotiate salary at a job offer.

Don’t worry, my friend. This article is going to be awesome. I’ll show you the tactics and strategies to convince your employer to raise your pay.

You’ll be the boss in handling this situation.

I understand negotiating salary at a job offer is something that many people are uncertain about. Would you please follow my ways? You’ll be able to achieve more than just getting the salary you had in mind.

Let’s dive into this article, know the strategies, and start negotiating now!

How to negotiate salary at job offer:

Negotiating a salary can be a vital part of landing your dream job. So, please have a look below:

Have your research ready:

Research is essential for any negotiation. You may ask me, “why?” Please have patience and read on.

Before you go in for your interview, know the salary range for the position and what you're willing to accept.

There are mainly two ways to know the salary range.
Try searching on Google or on LinkedIn.
Or talking to someone who has held the position before.
Attention: Research shows that people who negotiate their salaries are more likely to get a higher offer than those who do not.

I know, you are thinking, why does this happen?

The answer is straightforward. This is because employers are looking for confident people to speak up about what they want.

So make sure you've done some research before going into your interview so you can be prepared with what you want and why it's fair.

You must follow this research stage for the following cases:

• How to negotiate salary at job offer?
• How to negotiate salary over the phone?
• How to negotiate salary in email?
• How to negotiate higher salary after job offer?
• How to negotiate salary in an interview?

Be confident in your skills:

You know your skills. You know how the company will be benefitted from you. So why not be confident in your ability?

Please, my dear, do not enter negotiation with the mindset that you will be lucky to have a job at all. Please consider what you bring to the table and how it benefits the company.

Your experience, passion, and expertise are invaluable assets to help build your career. In this case, it's absolutely worth asking for a little more than just the average offer because of the value you can bring.

The next step is establishing what you expect from your new employer.

Yes, I agree; with no prior experience or education in your field, it might be challenging to determine what fair compensation is.

Consider talking with recruiters or networking at industry events before deciding on a number.

Use resources like LinkedIn and Glassdoor to learn more about what other people in your field are making—you'll be able to use this information when discussing salary expectations with potential employers and stay confident.

Ask for more than you expect:

This is a pro tip on my behalf. When you're negotiating, it's natural to feel like you should settle for less than what you initially wanted. But this isn't always the case!

You deserve the best compensation you can get, and asking for more than you expect can help you get it.

During the interview process, the company tried to offer something lower than what you wanted. Then it’s time for negotiation.

Remember, it’s worth it to dedicate a little more time in the interview process, rather than taking something that doesn't meet your needs.

Pretend that your salary is $100,000 and they offered $90,000 during the interview.

Salary negotiation example: You would say: "I understand that this seems like a great offer, and thank you so much for considering me, but I am looking for a salary of $100,000."

I hope it is completely clear to you.

Do not name a number first:

When you are interviewing with a company for the first time, they are likely to have a set salary in mind for the position.

When they ask what salary range you are looking for, do not name your desired range first. You want to see what they are willing to offer before naming your desired salary range.

Let them name their number first and then counter-offer with a higher number.

If you name your desired number before they do, it can be seen as demanding or ungrateful. So, it is clear to you that you are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you!

When to negotiate salary offer:

You are probably thinking about this. We should be concerned about the right negotiation timing. If you do not know when to negotiate a salary offer, you may lose your job.

Negotiating your salary after you've been offered a job is usually preferable.

Salary negotiation sample letter (example):

Please have a look below.

How to negotiate salary in an email:

If you wish to start the negotiation process by email, here's how you should approach the situation:

Mr. (name of the hiring manager),

Thank you for sending the marketing director job offer package. I appreciate you sharing these details.

I'd like to discuss the offered remuneration before I accept your offer. I have over 12 years of expertise in digital marketing and have spent the last four years in leadership roles. I want to share with you my previous salary history.

One year ago, I earned $75,000 at Company X; four years ago, $60,000 at Company Y; and six years ago, I made $45,000 at Company Z. My current salary is $85,000. This reflects an upward trend in my salary. Given my skills and experience, I am seeking a base salary of $110,000, slightly higher than your offer.

I know I can help you exceed your company revenue expectations this year. Please let me know when we can talk about salary in more detail.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,

XYZ

Another salary negotiation sample letter (example)

Mr. (name of the hiring manager),

The company's culture has always impressed me, and I appreciate your work here. The time has come for me to start negotiating my salary. I have already demonstrated my value to this company and that this is an opportune moment for us to explore compensation based on my contributions.

My final goal is to reach a mutually-beneficial agreement that reflects all of my skills, experience, and accomplishments. If you could show me the salary range for someone with my qualifications and expertise, that would be fantastic.

If you cannot provide me with any information on this topic at this time, I understand completely. But please let me know as soon as possible so we can continue our conversation about the matter.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,

XYZ

You may check it out here for more salary negotiation examples.

Can you lose a job offer by negotiating salary:

The straightforward answer is, “yes, it may happen to you.” Sometimes employers react badly to a polite negotiation. It depends on the employer and other situations and how you handle them. So, there is a chance you can lose a job by negotiating your salary.

The solution to this problem is to research the company first and follow the strategies I have already mentioned in this article, “how to negotiate salary at a job offer to maximize pay.”

I think nothing worse will happen if you follow the steps I have shown you. Cheers.

Final thoughts:

Negotiating salary can feel uncomfortable, but when you are prepared, confident, and educated about the conversation, you are more likely to get exactly what you want out of the negotiation process.

The key to negotiating salary is to think about what you want and what the company wants. Try to know more as much as you can about the company. The more you know, the more you can speak to their needs and concerns.

For example, if they are in the process of recruiting someone with your skillset, they will be more likely to pay a higher than average salary.

The most important thing is to be confident in your skills and expertise. If they sense that you are confident in your abilities, they will be more willing to negotiate with you.

My dear reader, now you know all the tactics, how to negotiate salary at a job offer to maximize your pay. Yes, you are ready to apply for more awesome jobs and will be able to maximize your income by negotiating. May I call you a great negotiator now?