How to Prepare for Your Next Salary Negotiation

How to Prepare for Your Next Salary NegotiationHow to Prepare for Your Next Salary NegotiationCue the celebration- youve just been offered a brand-new job Its an exciting time, until you realize that salary negotiation is on the table.When youre struck with that realization it often involves a lot less jumping for joy and a lot more shaky knees and sweaty palms.Yes, negotiating salary can be awkward at best. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to take some of that uneasiness out of the process and walk away with what you deserve.Here are six tips for preparing for your next salary negotiation1. Do your research.Any good negotiation begins with some solid research. This involves a few different steps.First and foremost, you need to have a good grasp on a reasonable salary range for that position. Keep in mind that those ranges can vary greatly, so youll also need to consider things like your geographical location and the type of company that youre dealing with (a nonprofit l ikely wont pay as much as a corporation, for example).Additionally, you also need to do some reflecting on your own worth. Just because market research says youre entitled to a certain paycheck doesnt necessarily mean anything. Take some time to think through your own experience and value proposition so that you can prove why youre deserving of those higher numbers.2. Know your limits.Negotiations are often free-flowing conversations, but that doesnt mean that theyre free of all guidelines.Before entering into that discussion, its important that you know your own limits. Mainly, whats the absolute lowest salary youre willing to accept? What number would inspire you to walk away from that offer altogether?Knowing that critical piece of information will lead to a far more productive conversation. After all, if that employer continues coming back with figures that are well below your threshold, theres no need wasting everybodys time.3. Settle on a range, rather than an exact number.Con ventional wisdom states that you should be prepared to spit out an exact number- down to the cents- when prompted about your desired salary.However, more recent research highlights that it might not be your best strategy. A study from Columbia Business School found that offering a range provides more flexibility and room for discussion- which makes you appear far more reasonable.So, dont pressure yourself into thinking you need to know every last digit. Instead, set a range and make sure that the bottom number actually meets your requirements. That way, you wont seem unreasonable, but will still be able to be realistic about what you need.4. Avoid uncertain language.Lets face it- negotiations are nerve-wracking, and sometimes that anxiety has a way of getting the best of you. However, you want to make your best effort to not have your nerves undermine your confidence.That means you need to be conscious of any wishy-washy language that has a way of sneaking into your vocabulary. Dont abflug your sentences with qualifiers like, This might be asking too much or You guys might think this is totally unreasonable Instead of saying I think Im worth say I know Im worthThe more self-assuredness you can portray through your word choice, the more youll prove that youre worthy of the number that youre asking for.5. Remember more than dollar signs.Money talks. But, if you and the employer just cant seem to meet in the middle and youre still highly interested in the position, its worth exploring what other perks you could negotiate.Could you ask for increased flexibility, such as the option to work from home a few days a week? Could they tack on a few extra vacation days? Are there other benefits they could throw in to make the offer more appealing?Ultimately, the salary needs to work for you. But, if youre at odds over a small amount of money, it doesnt hurt to switch up the conversation and see what else you could discuss.6. Have confidence.In conversations as anxiety-ind ucing as salary negotiations, that whole be confident thing is far easier said than done.One surefire way to approach that conversation with your head held high is plenty of practice. Grab a trusted friend who can help you groe nachfrage through the discussion a few times. Rehearse some different lines that you know youre going to need to recite. Practice is sure to give your confidence a boost.Finally, remember that this isnt the end of the world. Many employers expect qualified candidates to negotiate, and you arent doing anything wrong by attempting to get what you know you deserve.Resist apologizing and keep your wits about you. After all, if you and the employer cant land on a number that works for both of you, then that opportunity likely isnt the right fit anyway.