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What Are Salary Negotiations?
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Salary negotiations involve discussing a job offer with a prospective employee to negotiate a salary and benefits package that meets your needs.
Before you start salary negotiations it's important to know how much the job is worth, to try to determine how much flexibility there may be on the part of the employer, and how you can best negotiate a salary for the job you have been offered.
Salary Negotiation Tips
Once you know what you should be earning, how do you go about getting it? Start by being very patient. When interviewing for a new position, do your best not to bring up compensation until the employer makes you an offer.
If you're asked what your salary requirements are, say that they are open based upon the position and the overall compensation package. Or tell the employer you'd like to know more about the responsibilities and the challenges of the job prior to discussing salary. Here are tips for answering interview questions about your salary expectations.
Another option is to give the employer a salary range based upon the salary research you've done up front.
Once you've received the offer you don't need to accept (or reject) it right away. A simple "I need to think it over" can get you an increase in the original offer.
And if you're ambivalent about the position a "no" can bring you a better offer too. I turned down a position I knew I didn't want, regardless of salary, and received three follow-up phone calls upping the compensation package.
Be careful though, if you do definitely need that new job there's a risk that the employer may accept your declining the position and move on to the next candidate.
Here's more information on how to evaluate a job offer.
Salary and Paycheck Calculators
When you're considering a job offer, it's important to know the bottom line - how much your net pay will be. You can use these free salary and paycheck calculatorsto estimate how much you'll bring home in your paycheck:
- Salary and Paycheck Calculators
Negotiating a Raise
If you are currently employed and want a raise, start by being prepared. Gather your salary survey information, recent performance appraisals that document the job you're doing, and any other relevant information. Be aware of company policy regarding compensation. Some employers are limited by budget constraints and can only give raises at certain times of the year, regardless of the circumstances.
Have a clear idea of what you want. Determine the salary range you're looking for and justification for the increase and have both ready to review with your supervisor. Be flexible. Would you consider an extra couple of weeks vacation instead of a raise?
I know someone who has regularly taken time-off instead of money and now has six vacation weeks a year...
Then, ask your supervisor for a meeting to discuss salary. Present your request, supported by documentation, calmly and rationally. Don't ask for an immediate answer. Your boss is mostly likely going to have to discuss it with Human Resources and/or other company managers.
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Despite your best efforts, there may simply not be enough money in the budget to increase your salary or compensation package offer. The company may also not want to create inequities by paying one person more than others in a similar position.
In that case, you can at least know you tried. Plus, if this is a job you really think that you're going to love, consider whether the company culture, the benefits, and the job itself are worth it - regardless of the salary.
17. How would you describe the pace at which you work? 17. Как бы вы описали темп, с которым вы работаете?
Emphasize Steadiness and Quality
One way to answer this question is to say that you work at a steady pace but usually complete work in advance of the deadline. You also want to emphasize that you achieve quality results at your pace. Provide a specific example of a time when working at this pace helped you achieve results.
Discuss your ability to manage projects and get them done on, or ahead, of schedule. If you work at a job where you have set criteria (i.e. number of calls made or responded to) that measures accomplishments, discuss how you have achieved or exceeded those goals.
Sample Answers
- I usually work at a steady, consistent pace - стабильно и последовательный темп работы. Because of my ability to organize and plan out my work schedule, I always complete my work ahead of time. For example, when I was assigned a large project due in six months, I broke the project into large goals and small, day-to-day goals. I created a schedule, and steadily checked off each of these goals while still successfully completing my other duties. I ultimately\ finally - В конечном итоге finished the project a week ahead of schedule.
- I consider myself a diligent worker who avoids procrastination. At my previous sales job, we had to make at least 30 calls every shift, on top of our other administrative responsibilities. While some people saved all their calls for the end of their shift, which sometimes led to people missing their quota, I divided my time between making calls and doing my other duties. I am not easily distracted, but can balance working steadily on multiple tasks. This allows me to complete all of my work on time and produce quality results. I won "best salesperson" three times at my previous company.
18. How would you describe ОПИШИТЕ СЕБЯ yourself? Деловые качества, сильные, слабые стороны, профессиональные навыки
How to Answer
When you respond, keep in mind the type of position you are interviewing for, the company culture, and the work environment. However, you don’t want to simply regurgitate a list of reasons why you are right for the position.
Instead, answer with a couple positive adjectives or phrases that describe your personal characteristics or your attitude (sometimes employers ask a similar question, “What three adjectives would you use to describe yourself?”). Make sure to focus on the qualities that make you an ideal match for the job and the company.
You typically do not need to follow up your response with specific examples of times you have displayed each characteristic – often, an employer wants a relatively concise answer to this question.
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However, if you give your answer and the interviewer looks like her or she is waiting for more, you can then follow up with examples from past work experiences. The interviewer might even ask you outright to expand your answer with examples.
Finally, while you should shape your answer to fit the particular job, authenticity is still important.
Your answers should be positive but genuine.
How to Prepare
To prepare for this question, create a list of adjectives and phrases that you think best describe you (you might even want to ask family and friends for suggestions). Then, look back at the job description, and circle all the adjectives and phrases on your list that best relate to the particular position. Pick two or three of the terms that best fit the position, and think of specific times when you have demonstrated each of those characteristics.
With a list of terms and examples in mind, you will be ready to answer any form of the question.
Sample Answers
Below are some sample answers to the interview question, “How would you describe yourself?” When answering this question, be sure your answer fits your own work experience and the job for which you are applying for.
- I'm a people person. I really enjoy meeting and working with a lot of different people, and am known for being a great listener and clear communicator, whether I’m engaging with colleagues or employers.
- I'm the kind of person who knows how to execute difficult tasks with precision. I pay attention to all the details of a project. I make sure that every task is just right, but is also completed in a timely manner.
- I'm a creative thinker. I like to explore alternative solutions to problems and have an open mind about what will work best. My creativity has made me an effective team leader because I can anticipate problems and innovate solutions.
- I'm an extremely organized person who is focused on producing results. While I am always realistic when setting goals, I consistently develop ways to efficiently achieve, and often exceed, those goals.
- I enjoy solving problems, troubleshooting issues, and coming up with solutions in a timely manner. I thrive in team settings, and I think my ability to effectively communicate with others is what drives my ability to solve a variety of problems.
19. How would you handle it if your boss was wrong?
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