How to Negotiate a Salary for a Tech Job

How to Negotiate a Salary for a Tech JobHow to Negotiate a Salary for a Tech JobNegotiating a higher salary is never an easy or comfortable task. Here are a few guidelines to help you get through the negotiation process with minimal stress, and end up with a ?salary that is acceptable for both you and the employer. The Best Time to Negotiate Salary Most career experts will say you have the most leverage in negotiating a salary after you have been offered the job at this point, the employer is certain they want to hire you. However, avoid trying to negotiate immediately after receiving the offer and before getting additional details on the rest of the compensation package. You need to take some time to consider everything being offered. Also, try your best to avoid bringing up salary or, if asked, giving specific figures during the job interview. That time should be used to find out more about the job and to determine whether you want to work for the employer. Know the Job Desc ription and Requirements You cant be expected to negotiate fairly if you dont have all the information you need. If you have any outstanding questions about what you will be expected to do, the results you will need to produce, and any other benefits or perks the employer offers, find the answers to those questions before you abflug talking about how much youll get paid. Research is Key to Salary Negotiation Make sure you do some background research to find out what the going salary is for the type of job you are being offered or one with similar responsibilities. Here are some places where you can find this kind of information Payscale.comSalary.comIndeed.comgovernment census statssalary reports issued by various tech job search firmsNational Association of Colleges and Employerspostings for similar jobsdiscussions with people who have a similar job. Consider Other Forms of Compensation Being Offered If the salary you are offered falls short of what you had been hoping for , dont overlook other benefits the employer may offer. Some of the following benefits could save you money and make up for what may seem like a salary shortfall health, dental and life insuranceday care benefitstelecommuting options Also consider vacation time, any other bonuses, and opportunities for professional development, including tuition assistance. As an IT worker, keeping your skills up-to-date is very important, so any opportunity for skills development should receive significant consideration when making your decision. Raise the Salary Bar a Little Higher Some employers will try to low-ball you, but others may notlage. Ask for a salary that is somewhat higher than what you would really like (but not unreasonably high), so you have leeway to negotiate down to a number that will still work for you and will not be below your value or expectations. Also try to demonstrate to the employer why you are worth the salary you are requesting by continuously reminding them of wha t you can bring to the table to help save money, make the IT department more efficient, or implement new ideas. Stay Positive in Your Negotiations At all times, remain polite and positive in your discussions about salary. Even if youre excited about the job but insulted by the initial offer, dont express your disgust to the employer and sound off about how much more you are worth. Focus instead on communicating to the employer how interested you are in the job, and how much you know you can contribute to the company, and then mention that that are certain areas you would like to discuss before coming to final salary agreement. Be Polite and Dont Try to Manipulate the Negotiation Process The main idea is to arrive at a win-win situation one where the salary is acceptable to you, but also leaves the employer assured that they are hiring someone who is worth the money they will be paying. Avoid making outright demands, giving ultimatums, or trying manipulative tactics at any po int. For example, if you receive a few job offers at once, its not a good idea to pit employers against each other in the hopes that they will try to outbid one other. This may leave a sour taste in the employers mouths and may cause them to be less flexible than they normally would be if you had stayed positive. Patience is a Virtue When Negotiating Salary Try to take things slowly, so you have enough time to do your research and prepare for the negotiation process. If you dont rush, youll feel more confident throughout the whole process, and you wont make any impulsive decisions that you will later regret. Also, expect negotiations to happen in several stages, and dont be surprised if they take days or even a couple of weeks to be finalized. Get Your Job Offer in Writing Once youve come up with a mutually acceptable salary, make sure the employer gives you a written copy of the job offer, stating the job description, expectations, other important details, and the salary. D ont try to go back and negotiate for more after youve accepted the offer, as you will have little to no leverage at that point. Do all of your negotiating work before saying yes to the job.