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Salary Negotiations

Salary negotiations need to be done respectfully and kept in the proper perspective. You don't want to end-up receiving a salary that is less than you could have gotten... At the same time, you don't want to lose out on a job that you could have received... Below are some pointers that can assist you.

Analyze Your Current Situation: Carefully think about your current financial situation, career path, and your career goals. These 3 factors will help you determine the importance of the prospective job and how much you can truly negotiate.

Do Your Homework: Before you go to an interview, you need to determine your desired salary range. Research typical salaries for someone with similar experience in your industry. There are a few websites on the Internet that can assist you with this. One of them is Salary.com.

Carefully Think About Your Needs: Think about what income you need. You do not want to take an offer that leaves you pinching pennies. Before going on interviews, ask yourself some important questions. How much do you need to pay your basic expenses (rent, groceries, utilities, etc.)? What kind of salary do you need to live a comfortable life? What is the lowest salary you can consider? How much do you need to be able to save for the future?

Do Not Lay Your Cards On The Table: Man job applications and interviewers may ask you to name a salary requirement, always avoid providing a number. An example of a question they may ask is, "What kind of salary are you looking for?" Try to use answers such as, "I’m sure that if I do receive an offer, it will be fair and reasonable," or "I will consider any reasonable offer." If they press you for a number, give a range rather than a specific amount. The bottom of your range should be the minimum you must make, with the top being a bit higher than your ideal number.

Don't Forget About Benefits: When you receive a job offer, it is very important to consider the offer in its entirety. This means paying attention to the company’s medical and dental plan, vacation package, retirement benefits, etc. If the company cannot meet your salary requirements, it may be able to make it up to you in other ways, such as additional vacation time. Keep in mind that a job paying $30K a year with a nice benefit package could actually be better than a job that pays $36K a year without one.

You Have A Right To Ask For More: A company is not going to offer you the highest salary they’d be willing to pay right off the bat. Most companies expect candidates to come back with a counter offer. If you are qualified, and have done your research and have supporting information to back up your salary wishes, don’t be afraid to let the company know that you would like something higher. However, PLEASE don’t make the mistake of playing hardball, thinking you are irreplaceable, or being unwilling to negotiate. If you receive a low offer, thank the company for the offer, let them know that you are excited about the position, and politely and respectfully request a higher salary. The worst the company can say is no.

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