Most of us would probably like to have a higher salary. Most of us are also probably hesitant to negotiate a higher salary. According to Bloomberg Businessweek reporter Claire Suddath, we don’t need to be. Saddath recently sat down with salary negotiations expert Victoria Pynchon, founder of the She Negotiations consultancy, to learn about the art of haggling. The following tips could help you feel more confident about sitting down at the negotiating table:
Research salaries people make in positions similar to your own. You should be able to find salaries for government or high-profile positions online. For positions not in the public eye, you can call people. While you shouldn’t directly ask what they make, you can ask for their advice on the market. Pynchon says you’ll likely find out their salary anyway: “People like nothing better than to tell you what they’re making.”
For women, know what men in your field make. Particularly in male-dominated fields, men tend to make more than women on average. Pynchon says knowing what men make will let you know what you’re really worth and prevent you from accepting a low salary offer. When you sit down with your bosses, share your research with them.
Make the discussion about what you can provide, rather than what you want. Explain why you are worth more than the average person and what you can bring to the company. Doing so provides your bosses with concrete reasons why you deserve a higher salary.
Request a salary before they offer one. The first number on the table will influence how negotiations unravel.
Don’t give in. If your employers yell at you or refuse to meet your basic demands, wait a few days for them to change their minds. If they don’t, you might consider fighting for your salary at a company that understands your worth.
Read Claire Suddath’s article here: The Art of Haggling.