Negotiating Wages: When and How to Do It
Thursday January 22, 2009
Negotiating wages is never an enjoyable process and many employees feel intimidated by the idea of asking for more money.
In an initial interview you must complete four steps in order to ensure you retain the best wages for your position. In the interview, you want to negotiate the position and sell yourself and the unique attributes you have that will add to the employers business. Once you have secured a job offer, you may then negotiate the salary and benefits package.
It is important that you fully understand the wages and benefits package you are being offered, this is where prior research will help enormously. Before any interviews, really study the industry and it average wages for employees in the position you are applying for. This information will help you to assess the wages package and allow you to make an inform decision and not sell yourself short.
Typically, the employer or interviewer will have a range for the wages they will offer, naturally they will start at the very bottom of that range but it is your responsibility to show them that you are worth more than the lowest wages possible.
Start by asking further details about your responsibilities, level of management and the amount of hours expected from you. This will provide an excellent foundation to negotiate as while the interviewer or potential employee list off these points they will become more aware of what is being asked of you and may become more flexible in the negotiation.
There are two methods an employer may use to get around negotiating wages. They may either offer the position with no mention of wages, leaving you in the uncomfortable position of broaching the subject, or they may ask what you need in terms of wages. If you can avoid it, do not answer with an actual figure, simply reply with a question such as "well what would you be expecting for a job with the responsibilities you previously outlined?" etc.
However, if you are already employed and are asking for a rise in your wages, it is in your best interest to explain how you, as an employee, are benefitting the company and assisting them in achieving their goals as an organization.
If you are successful in negotiating wages, get all agreed details, including wages and benefits, in writing and accept in writing.
While negotiating a pay rise is a daunting task it is in your best interests as an employee to be paid the appropriate wages.
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