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Four tips for salary negotiation
This is a reading from The Career Design Lab, my free online course for people at any life stage who want a career aligned with their values.
You’re moving along through the interview process. Things are going well, and you’re expecting an offer. But as you and the employer start to see a great fit, you begin wondering how much you’ll get paid. Eventually, the question arises: “Should I negotiate my salary?”
The short answer is: “Often, yes.”
Most employers will simply tell you the salary when they make you an offer (if they don’t, ask). In other cases, this seemingly innocent question may arise in an interview: “What kind of salary are you looking for?”
Whether it arrives with an offer or is discussed during interviewing, salaries are often negotiable unless fixed by some corporate or government policy. The question is, will you get paid near the top or the bottom of the employer’s range for the position?
Tips for successful salary negotiations
These four guidelines will help you succeed with salary negotiation:
- Research salaries before you interview
- Discuss salary at the right time
- Avoid being the first to mention a salary range
