The Ultimate Guide to Negotiating Salary for A New Job

Negotiating your salary for a new job can be a stressful and intimidating experience. Many job seekers are willing to settle for less than their professional worth, while others charge into negotiations with unrealistic expectations. However, it is an important process that everyone will have to face at some point in their job search. Learning how to negotiate salary confidently and effectively is key to receiving the compensation you deserve. 

Before you accept an initial offer that pays less than you expected, or say no and move on, take a pause. Negotiation can help you improve an offer that’s already on the table. Here’s an ultimate guide to negotiating salary for a new job with 7 do’s and don’ts that will help you get the most out of your next job offer.

Do think about what you need/want to negotiate

Are you negotiating just because you think you should? A common mistake is to try to negotiate everything in an offer letter, just because one can. Your potential employer may be more amenable if you do a targeted negotiation, rather than a kitchen sink version where everything is up for discussion.

For example, if the benefit package is on par with what you expected, but you’d prefer a salary bump, focus on the salary. If you’re fine with the salary number but want a flexible schedule or the ability to work remotely, then focus on that. The most important thing here is making progress on the improvements that are most important to you and would make you happy to accept the job offer.

Do your research

Before you even get to the job offer stage, make it a priority to understand what the current compensation looks like in your industry, and what you can realistically expect. For instance, it is important to consider the financial health of your new employer. A glimpse into their financial situation can help you determine how to negotiate your salary. 

If companies in your industry are publicly struggling right now, they might not have much ability to offer huge compensation packages. If they had a gangbuster in recent years, you might find them more receptive to negotiating a bigger package. If you keep seeing articles about disaster after disaster for them, there might not be so much room for them financially. Many companies have to disclose their financial health publicly, so looking up those articles can help give you a sense of how the company is doing.

Do understand your value

Understanding what the company can give is one thing, but you should also be able to demonstrate why you are worth the amount you’re asking. Before going into a salary discussion, know the average salary range for your level of experience and location, as well as the common benefits packages.

Sites like Glassdoor or Payscale can help you find out what people are making in particular jobs at different levels of experience and seniority. If you can demonstrate that your offer is well below the industry standard for the skills and experience that you, particularly, bring to the table, then that may help the negotiation.

Do consider company benefits or perks

A higher starting salary number is important, of course, but it’s not the only element of a compensation package. Look thoroughly at what kinds of benefit packages are on offer, and decide if it is right for you. 

While there likely isn’t much wiggle room when it comes to benefits like insurance or retirement, you might be able to negotiate more vacation days, signing bonuses, relocation expenses, work from home days, or a more flexible schedule.

Don’t be afraid to walk away

One of the biggest challenges of negotiating is knowing when you’re willing to back off from a request, or walk away from an offer altogether. If an offer truly doesn’t meet your standards—for example, if it severely underpays you, or would require you to do things that you’re not prepared to do—then don’t be afraid to walk away.

Once you get the sense that the company will not budge on your most important items, it’s okay to say, “Thanks, but this just isn’t the right opportunity for me.”

However, it is important to remain pleasant and show interest in joining your potential employer throughout the negotiation process. If they think you’re going to say no to their offer, your requests are going to be shut down pretty quickly.

Don’t give ultimatums

This is Human Nature 101. No one likes feeling backed into a decision, and that’s just as true for corporate entities as it is for the rest of us. When you give an ultimatum during your salary negotiation, you can come across as difficult and hard to work with. This puts any potential employers on the defensive, which makes them less likely to offer you a good deal. 

Negotiation shouldn’t come off as a strident demand. Presumably, the company understands that you’re willing to walk away if necessary, so you don’t need to spell that out.

Don’t show frustration or entitlement

While negotiating salary for a new job, your tone should always be open, professional, and friendly. Remember, your end goal is to join the company’s team on better terms. If they start feeling like you’ll be difficult to work with, or that you’re displaying bad faith, then any conversations on salary or even the job offer could disappear altogether.

Remember: the person across the table is not a faceless machine. Technically, yes, you’re negotiating with a company line, but you’re interacting with an HR professional, or your hiring manager. Sure, it’s not their personal money on the line, but they’re just doing their jobs, and want what’s best (and possible) for everyone involved. If you are likable, they are more likely to advocate for your needs to join the company. 

Prepare for your salary negotiation with TheJobNetwork

Negotiation can help you make a good job offer even better, or improve a lesser one. If you’re smart about places where there might be flexibility, you can really benefit yourself, and get your new job off to a positive start. 

There are no guarantees in negotiating, but if you approach the process with clear, reasonable expectations and an approachable demeanor, you’ll know you did everything you could to advocate for yourself. If you are looking to grow your career, discover new job opportunities and learn how to develop professionally with TheJobNetwork. 

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