SALARY BARGAINING TIPS

1. PRE-BARGAINING STEP

• Calculate amount for your lifestyle: transportation, work, clothes, food expences, etc.
• Assess your value: Describe your skills, abilities, talents and knowledge on paper and be prepared to show your future employer the benefits you can bring to their company.
• Do comparative research on prevailing salary trends. You sure don’t want to underprice yourself, and of course overprice will lead you to lose your job. Ask your friends, contacts, networks, professional associations and other job seekers.
• CONDUCT A DISCREET STUDY of the hiring company. Ask for inside sources if you have. Visit its websites or gather company brochures or profiles.

The SECRET? : Always do a complete research and come out with three figures, minimum, mid-level and maximum. When asked your desired compensation during interview, articulate a salary figure BETWEEN THE MID-LEVEL TO MAXIMUM.

1. DURING THE INTERVIEW

• Raise your worth in the recruiter’s eyes-stress your strengths, talents, knowledge, accomplishments and skills. Replace your work experience with projects and undertakings if you don’t have any. Optimise control word such as “took charge”, “initiated”, “developed” or “implemented” to indicate successful completion of a programme and activity. When mentioning your weakness, do not use negative word. Emphasise in your development area, learning capacity and gap for improvement.

The TIPS? : Dont put a specific figure. Instead, provide a salary range.

“The less you reveal about what offer make you bite, the more you are likely to receive a best offer.”

1. THE INTERVIEW

• Admittedly, salary ranges for most entry-level positions are set and leave a little room to negotiate. Experts suggest framing responses in a question form to avoid sounding arrogant or demanding.

Employer :”The salary is RM2, 000” per month.

YOU: ”I am happy about the job offer and I am very interested in the position. But, considering today’s high cost of living, I’d like to be making around RM2, 500. Would that be possible?”

• DON’T BE ASHAMED TO NEGOTIATE-This can show your positive qualities of awareness and confidence.

1. THE JOB OFFER

• Never accept or reject it on the spot.
• Ask about other fringe benefits.
• Ask for at least 24 hours to think it over and request another meeting to finalize discussion.
• Be enthusiastic but non-committal.
• Offers made over the phone, in particular, should not be accepted.
• Insist on face-to-face meeting to discuss details.
• Consider all factors: opportunities for growth, promotion, training and skill enhancement; the company’s stability and management style; advice from your mentors, family and friends; the total pay and benefit package.

Source: Streetsmart, Guide to Job Hunting by jobstreet.com