People who negotiate their salary increase their starting pay by an average of £3,000.

Negotiating a better salary is something that everyone should be focused on.

No matter when the last time you negotiated for a better salary was, the time will come again when the value of work you do is not reflected in the compensation you receive for that work.

When this time comes, it’s important to approach the issue objectively, build an evidence-based case for your desired salary and negotiate for this salary.

Note: Typically, you can negotiate about 5-10% above a salary offer.

Even 70% of employers expect salary negotiation after an initial job offer. Still, less than half of job seekers negotiate at all. If you feel intimidated or uncomfortable about asking for more money, you aren’t alone.

What is salary negotiation?

Salary negotiation is a process where one party (usually the employee) negotiates the amount of their pay, income, earnings, commission, salary, wages, wage remuneration, annual review, or salary raise with another party (usually a representative of the employer, such as their manager). 4.7 out of 5 from 3 responses.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a long-time employee or a new hire: if you feel that your salary isn’t enough, you should feel empowered in understanding how to negotiate a salary offer to get what you deserve.

A huge and common mistake people make before salary negotiations is failing to prepare. They show up with strong opinions about what they deserve and no evidence to back them up. This is when negotiations can flop, and new hires often leave feeling defeated.

When you decide that you want to negotiate for a better salary, be prepared to:

Be realistic. Be respectful with your salary expectation don’t be overly aggressive. If you’re gracious and reasonable, your potential employer will be more willing to work with you. Try a figure in the mid to high range of the numbers you researched.

Stay in limits.Start with a figure that’s no more than 10-20% above their initial offer. Remember, you’re applying for entry level, and you shouldn’t expect something on the higher range. Consider negotiating lower if 10-20% places you above the average.

Timing is everything. Two common mistakes for when to discuss salary – too early in the interview process if you are job hunting, and during a performance review in a current job. If you are interviewing, hopefully you have some sense of what the salary range is for the role.

Know what you’re worth. How you answer this question can make or break your salary negotiation. If you want to ask for more money than what they offered, you need to enunciate exactly why you deserve a higher salary. Have specific phrases rehearsed and ready before a negotiation.

Try not to. Don’t negotiate your salary until you have a firm offer. Don’t try to get one company to match another company’s offer.

When is it appropriate to negotiate salary?

Deciding when to negotiate your salary can be just as important as the negotiation skills you use during your conversation. The following are times during your career or during the hiring process when you might consider negotiating salary.

• At the end of a positive hiring process: You might be offered a job after a positive hiring process but feel that your qualifications determine a more competitive remuneration package.
• When getting a promotion: Your company might offer you a promotion, which you feel also deserves a higher salary.
• After gaining further qualifications: You might have completed a degree, training program or other additional qualifications that call for more competitive compensation.
• After taking on leadership roles: More responsibilities often lead to a higher salary or other increases in remuneration.
• When your level of experience no longer matches your salary: If you have worked in a role or organisation for a long time, you may have gained enough experience and demonstrated loyalty that calls for a salary increase.
• When salaries in the market have increased: If the salary for similar roles in your industry has increased, you may ask for a more competitive salary.

Why it’s important to negotiate your salary

It’s not just about the money. Negotiating your salary also shows your potential employer that you value yourself and your skills. It’s a sign of confidence and assertiveness that can make a positive impression on your new boss.

It’s important to understand that negotiating your salary is a perfectly normal part of the employment process. Getting an equitable and fair salary is part of advancing in your career.

Your salary is more than a deposit to your bank account: it’s how your company shows you that they appreciate your work and value you and your skills.

Your salary is also how your company supports your work-life balance, career development, work flexibility, and health-related perks.

You might not get all, or any, of the pay raise you want the first time you ask. Or you might find that the conversation was awkward, even cringe-worthy. But it’s a skill you have to acquire, just as much as the ones necessary to perform your job. Because what good is being great at your job, if you’re bad at getting paid for it?