| Despite how important fair pay is to most of us, | | | | as possible. The employer should perceive you as a |
| effective salary negotiation is an often misunderstood | | | | valuable, one-of-a-kind resource-not an off-the-shelf |
| and avoided topic. Current research indicates the | | | | good with a price tag.Think of those high-end |
| average duration of a position today is 3.8 years. Over | | | | infomercials that delay revealing what the price of the |
| the lifespan of your career, how well you negotiate | | | | offer is until the very end (if at all). The whole point of |
| raises or starting pay will have an enormous | | | | the infomercial is to draw your attention to the value of |
| cumulative effect on the quality of your life.So why | | | | the good or service and its many different uses and |
| does this skill remain elusive for many career | | | | applications.Certainly something that clearly validates a |
| professionals?Most of us do thorough research and | | | | gain or cost-savings of $25,000.00 would be |
| prepare extensively for a job interview. We create the | | | | attractively valued at $2,499.99. But would you really |
| perfect resume, slave over cover letter drafts, and | | | | pay attention to an ad that immediately said its cost |
| rehearse answers to anticipated interview questions. | | | | was $2,499.99? Probably not! The same psychology |
| We make sure we're dressed right, have references, | | | | applies to salary negotiation. The longer the interview |
| and are on time. But all too often, only cursory attention | | | | process continues, the more likely you will be regarded |
| is given to thinking through how, when, and why we'll | | | | as a valuable resource obviously worthy of |
| end up being happy with the terms of our pay.One | | | | upper-range pay.- Don't accept any offer, no matter |
| problem is that cultural taboos in our society make | | | | how lucrative, on the spot. Instead, express your |
| talking about money a no-no. Many of us regard | | | | continued interest in the position and how you clearly |
| money negotiation as inherently unseemly, or we feel | | | | see yourself making contributions (specify them one |
| guilty about not accepting what's been offered so | | | | more time again). Then always ask for 24 hours to |
| nicely. Isn't haggling supposed to take place if you're | | | | consider the offer. Certainly a day will give the hiring |
| buying hand-made rugs somewhere in Turkey?We | | | | manager time to find any necessary "wiggle room", if |
| want to believe that the first offer we hear should be | | | | need be.Be passionate and excited, but don't lose your |
| the highest dollar figure possible; moreover, we don't | | | | objectivity-any position that will be the center of your |
| want to "rock the boat" and potentially ruin our | | | | daily professional life for years to come won't melt in |
| chances of landing that great job. That voice inside of | | | | 24 hours. Right?- Do remember the old axiom "he (or |
| us whispers "Everything in this interview has been | | | | she) who speaks first loses." Wait until an offer has |
| going great! Don't wreck it now!".Like it or not, though, | | | | been made-but don't respond immediately. Remember |
| you're a negotiator. You can't get off this ride. | | | | that in many cases, what is initially offered to you may |
| Negotiation routinely takes place in dozens of ways in | | | | be the lowest figure the hiring manager dares to put |
| our daily lives. Given the fact that you will make or lose | | | | forward.This is mission critical territory: Often, even |
| several thousand dollars in the span of a few minutes, | | | | casual remarks made by you constitute implied |
| learning how to respectably negotiate your pay is vital! | | | | acceptance of the offer...Which can quickly become |
| Notice I say respectably.Unfortunately, I see countless | | | | explicit acceptance as the conversation moves on. |
| candidates who either come off way too aggressively, | | | | Don't let this happen! Instead, intentionally steer the |
| or much too meekly, for their own good. This is often | | | | conversation back to the responsibilities of the position. |
| because of a lack of self-preparation and practice. | | | | Who will you be supervising? What are some tangible, |
| Many candidates also fail to realize their position in the | | | | specific contributions you see yourself making? Where |
| marketplace and the position of the employer. Not | | | | do you picture yourself in the organization in the |
| good!The good news is that salary negotiation skills | | | | future?The greater long-term picture you create, the |
| can be learned or improved upon. Here are seven key | | | | greater the likelihood you will negotiate more |
| tips to being paid what you're worth while maintaining a | | | | effectively. You can only really begin to negotiate after |
| healthy respect others have for you:- Don't believe | | | | you have clearly brought to life realistic present and |
| that effectively negotiating your salary means that you | | | | future scenarios.- Don't over-negotiate. How do you |
| must have the mentality of a used-car salesperson! | | | | know when to recognize what is too little or too |
| You aren't being slippery, out of line or ungrateful to not | | | | much? By researching your market ahead of time. |
| accept the first figure that's tossed out. Most | | | | Don't just go to and think you "should" be earning a |
| employers value candidates who clearly possess | | | | certain dollar figure without taking into consideration the |
| self-respect and confidence in themselves; these | | | | unique opportunities every employer possesses. This is |
| qualities are revealed through the skill and poise in how | | | | not really true research.A salary is compensation paid |
| you negotiate your pay-they are aso revealed if you | | | | for services performed. Your salary should be |
| do nothing.Think about it: Doesn't it make sense that if | | | | commensurate with your skills and experience built |
| you demonstrate effective negotiation capabilities for | | | | yesterday, but negotiated for the work you will be |
| yourself, that in turn you'll negotiate smartly for your | | | | doing today and tomorrow. Remember, you don't get |
| employer, too? Hiring managers pick up on this.- Do | | | | what you deserve in life...You get what you |
| remember that your value is far more important than a | | | | negotiate!Would you like more help? Check out this |
| number somewhere on a spreadsheet. Yes, this is true | | | | month's HireWorks Recommends for some great |
| despite common cries that "payroll budgets being fixed, | | | | resources.Special Offer! This month we will review 10 |
| this is the best we can do" or "in this economy, you | | | | Resumes at no charge. Find out what improvements |
| must be realistic." Employers by and large are not | | | | you can make to get the attention of hiring managers |
| searching for "cheap bargains" but want value in their | | | | and land that important first interview! Click Here to |
| employees.A common misconception is "I'll have a | | | | submit yourself to be among the first 10 people to |
| better chance of getting the job if I don't ask for much | | | | respond!Biography: Lucia Apollo Shaw is the President |
| money-I won't cost as much as other candidates." | | | | and CEO of HireWorks, Inc. HireWorks is a |
| Don't go there! Concentrate on the value you bring, not | | | | professional search firm specializing in the Life |
| how little you cost. By the way, if you do this properly, | | | | Sciences. HireWorks offers research services, |
| the question of "previous salary history" should be | | | | contract staffing, and permanent placement |
| much less relevant. This means you will have a better | | | | services.She has been helping her customers for |
| chance at jumping to higher ranges faster in your | | | | nearly 9 years - working both as a third party recruiter |
| career.- Don't (and I mean never) accept any form of | | | | for CDI Corp (staffing customers like IBM), Trilogy |
| benefits before you negotiate your salary. Why? Once | | | | Consulting (now Venturi Partners) staffing the Biotech |
| some form of compensation other than salary is | | | | and Pharmaceutical industry and in places like Duke |
| accepted by you, the employer has leverage in | | | | University where she was a corporate recruiter and |
| justifying why your salary should be lower. Remember | | | | Team Leader for recruitment for Duke University |
| to always get agreement on the starting salary first. | | | | Hospital. |
| Then negotiate non-salary benefits and special | | | | Lucia earned a B.A. from the State University of NY |
| considerations afterwards.- Do delay talking about | | | | (University Center at Albany) and pursued Graduate |
| compensation; try to discuss your value, and the | | | | Studies in Public Administration at the Sage Graduate |
| specific benefits you can bring to the table, for as long | | | | School in Albany, NY. |