There is a sense of accomplishment with the getting of the first job. Often, it implies an end of many months, sometimes years, of searching for employment after graduation from college or university. By the time one gets invited for an interview, there will have been quite a number of job applications and follow ups.
With that in mind, and when faced with the task of negotiating the salary, it is easy to end up making wrong and miscalculated decisions. Many have accepted salaries beneath their worth, or at least the value of the job they are being recruited for. Generally, fresh job seekers tread carefully when it comes to asking for better salaries.
It is understandable. After the relief of finally getting a job, negotiating a salary can be the last thing on your mind. I recently received and email on this subject and quite frankly, it was not the first one. Simply, put negotiating for a better salary baffles. It feels awkward because many of us are often not good at placing a value on the skills, knowledge, and abilities we bring to the work place. It comes with understandable fear. Once in a while, asking for a higher salary can send you out of the race for the job.
Still, delicately negotiating salary upon taking up a job offer provides a significant boost in pay and is well worth the complexities. Compiled over subsequent years, a few thousand shillings quickly add up. So, what is the art of salary negotiation?
1. Know your benchmark: Before you start speaking amounts with your new employer, it is important to know how much others in a similar position earn. There are a variety of ways to get this information. Talk to those in your network. When speaking to others, casually bring up the topic and never put them on the spot by asking for direct information. One way to phrase the question is, ‘based on your experience, what kind of salary a person with my level of skill and knowledge should expect to earn?’
2. Set a limit: Before negotiating salary, it is important to know the least amount you would feel comfortable earning. Setting a limit can help you be specific about your needs and negotiate a rate.
3. Don’t start too early: While some companies inquire about salary on the first application, it is best not to get into negotiations about pay until after the company has shown an interest in hiring you. Stay somewhat flexible until you see real interest. Give them enough salary information so that they feel that it is not a waste of time to interview you. Then quit talking about it until you win the interview. If you are pressed for a number early, then it is best to offer a range and stay flexible until the final negotiation.
4. Demonstrate your value: If you are not switching jobs, it can be even more complex to negotiate a raise. The surest way is to convey your value to your supervisor with specific examples. Avoid terms like ‘I want’ and ‘I need’. Structure it like you would take any deal. They give you a particular salary and you are prepared to do X,Y and Z. give evidence of the value that they can make a logical decision. Even if you have a great relationship with your boss, securing a raise involves a complex look into the quality of your work. Delving into how you can improve is a key step into moving up the pay scale. It is rare to succeed in this if your duties have not improved since you joined the organization.
5. Be assertive: Rehearse the approach and the language to use, and be ready for some resistance. That means you have to know how to respond to any objections.
Preparation earns you the confidence necessary for this kind of request. You may have a boss like mine whose door is very open, or you may have a rigid one who prefers that employees stay silent. Whatever the circumstances, you will never know until you try.
This article is by Juliah Karimi of Staff Kenya
This article is by Juliah Karimi of Staff Kenya
0 Comments