A Smarter Way To Negotiate Salary That Has Nothing To Do With What You Are Worth

By Michelle Wanjiku
When it comes to negotiating your salary, there are various things you need to keep in mind if you don’t want to be paid less than what you could be.
We have all heard the advice, know your worth and negotiate with this figure in mind. However, what happens when what you think you are worth is below what you could get for the position?
You end up being paid less than what you could are worth.
This is why it is important to try and find an alternative tactic when negotiating your salary.
1. Get in the right mindset
As a job seeker you probably think that there are very few opportunities for you out there which means, you will be going into salary negotiation with a mindset of not doing anything that can make you lose the job.
However, with such a mindset you cannot really negotiate comfortably and you might be forced to settle with whatever offer the employer gives you.
If this is your mindset then you will never earn what you are worth. Keep in mind that the employer is not negotiating with your best interest at heart; you are the only one responsible with ensuring the salary you get is fair to you.
You should also be willing to miss out on the job if the pay is too little. Remember that whatever you are earning now will determine your next salary; you don’t want to be underpaid throughout your career.
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2. Turn the tables
When it comes to negotiating your salary, ensure you are not the first one to state a figure, or if you do, that it’s not at the beginning of the hiring process.
You need to ensure that you delay money talk as much as possible. The employer will definitely ask this question sometimes to weed out candidates and to know who they can realistically afford.
If you cannot completely avoid answering it, then you should ensure that you answer it in a manner that still doesn’t give them a direct figure.
For example, “Based on market research and what I know about your company, the range I’m thinking of is between 60K and 90K. But instead of focusing on that at the moment I would like us to continue discussing the role so we can both see how I might be of value to your team.
It’s very important that even when you have to mention what you expect that you give them a range starting from a figure higher than the lowest you are willing to receive.
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3. Think whole picture
Most of the time, when you think compensation you probably only think about the salary a job offers. However, your salary is not the only form of compensation.
When negotiating your salary, you need to think about the other benefits you can receive that will supplement your salary and make your life easier.
For example, are you willing to settle for the lowest figure in the salary range if it means you get medical insurance for your whole family, transport allowance, flexible work hours, free daycare and other forms of compensation?
Having such benefits will definitely make your work easier and improve your work life balance. So if you can’t make the employer budge on the salary, you can ask for some benefits that will supplement the salary.
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Lastly,
As nerve wrecking as salary negotiation is, you need to actually be willing to fight for the salary you want. Don’t be too quick to accept whatever offer you are given. The employer also expects you to negotiate which is why they will first offer you a low figure to give themselves room to negotiate.