Amidst the endorphins and adrenaline of getting a job offer, it can be tough to find the courage and comfortability to negotiate and ask for what you want. In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to jump to the finish line without pausing to stand your ground and at least try to negotiate.
In one of our last blog posts, we shared some of the different aspects of an offer you can negotiate, so today we’re going to break down how to ask for what you want.
Research
Before even starting the negotiation process, you need to know what you’re looking for and what makes sense for you. Start with researching what similar companies are paying for the role you’re applying to. Utilizing a tool like Glassdoor can be helpful when comparing numbers.
Pro tip? Be sure to research what similar companies are paying in the area your company is in. A software engineer salary in Nebraska might look vastly different to a software engineer salary in San Francisco. Keep location in mind.
Doing this research will help you in the negotiation process for a few reasons. First and foremost, you are well-versed in what an appropriate salary looks like and can confidently stand your ground if the offer is not quite that. Second, this will help you to decide just how much you should be negotiating for.
Consider the pros and cons
If you read one of our latest blog posts, you know that there’s more to an offer than just salary. If the salary isn’t quite what you expected, consider the other factors. How’s their PTO policy? How are the benefits? Is there workplace flexibility?
If these factors are equally important, negotiating may be a bit easier. Often times, companies who might not be able to meet your salary expectations may be able to make up for it in other ways.
Present Your Value
If you’re going to negotiate an offer, be prepared to speak to all the reasons you deserve the number you’re looking for. Being knowledgeable on competitive salaries can help make this case—but it can also help to reference the job description. Do you hit every single box? If so, show them.
Be Willing to Walk Away
Sometimes, negotiating an offer just might not work out. There will always be situations in which neither party can come to a compromise or agreement, and you have to be okay with that. Before going into the negotiations, take some time to decide where you draw the line, and be willing to walk away.
