| Money! That's what this is all about. | | | | of the risk away from them. |
| | | | |
| Unfortunately business owners don't hire you | | | | OK - now hang on to your hats - here's a |
| simply to give you their money. The surest | | | | lateral thought for you: you can always get |
| way to not get a job is to ring up and ask | | | | paid on a results basis... |
| how much it is paying. The second best way to | | | | |
| miss out on the job is to ask how much you | | | | Depending on the sort of position you've |
| will be paid in the first interview. | | | | applied for, if the salary is not up to your |
| | | | standard then ask for a share of profits, |
| Either wait for the final interview or until | | | | increased sales in a certain area or a share |
| you have received a job offer. Besides, your | | | | of savings made. If the company is spending |
| research of the industry should already give | | | | $50,000 in a certain area and you can save |
| you an indication of how much to expect. | | | | them $15,000 (for example) you could ask for |
| | | | a one-off fee of half the savings ($7,500). |
| How to ask for more | | | | (After all, they're better off by $15,000 |
| | | | every year because of your idea.) |
| Once you've been offered the job it's now | | | | |
| time to talk money. Depending on the job | | | | The same thing could apply if you can help to |
| you've applied for and the organization there | | | | increase sales or productivity. You don't |
| may be no room for negotiating. You may | | | | have to be a salesman to do this. |
| simply have to take what's being offered. The | | | | |
| two choices open to you in this case are to | | | | I remember a story of a secretary in the |
| put up with it or find a company that is | | | | Illinois or Ohio who worked for a sausage |
| willing to pay more for your skills. | | | | making company. She thought it would be neat |
| | | | to sell sausages by mail order so she brought |
| The next section only applies if you think | | | | the idea to her boss. The boss said OK and |
| you are worth more, or want to earn more than | | | | she now heads up a multimillion dollar mail |
| what you are currently being paid. | | | | order sausage business. Oh yes, she gets paid |
| | | | a lot more than when she was a secretary. |
| If you were an employer and you have $60,000 | | | | |
| allocated as a wage for a new employee, would | | | | Use them as an example for you being paid |
| you offer the potential employee all of your | | | | more... |
| $60,000? Or would you offer them $50,000 to | | | | |
| see if they take it, in which case you've | | | | If the money they're offering is less than |
| just saved yourself $10,000? | | | | you want or need and it doesn't look like |
| | | | you're going to get what you're asking for, |
| So, keeping this in mind, when asked how much | | | | try saying something like this: |
| you were earning in your last position, | | | | |
| answer truthfully and then explain part of | | | | "I've researched your firm and I know that |
| your reason for leaving was because you | | | | the widgets you sell and the services you |
| wanted a chance to earn more. That you felt | | | | provide aren't the cheapest on the market. |
| your skills and contributions to the company | | | | Why is that?" They will go ahead and tell you |
| weren't being rewarded hence the reason for | | | | about their quality and service and expertise |
| you applying to this job. | | | | and how it's superior to the rest, etc... |
| | | | |
| It's important to demonstrate early on why | | | | To which you would reply: "Well, the same |
| you think you are worth more. Bring up case | | | | thing applies in my case. I'm not saying that |
| histories of saving the company X% or | | | | other people can't do my job for less. All |
| increasing sales or service while you were | | | | I'm saying is that like you, I offer (insert |
| there. | | | | your skills & experience etc... here) and I'm |
| | | | always learning and improving those skills so |
| "We were thinking of a salary package of | | | | that I can be of maximum value to you and |
| $50,000. How does that sound?" | | | | your customers." |
| | | | |
| You'll hear this when you ask them what the | | | | Then say nothing and see what follows. You |
| salary for the job is or they may simply say | | | | can always accept what they're offering with |
| it up front. The 3 ways to handle this are: | | | | a review in 3 months or so if this tactic |
| | | | fails. |
| Say NOTHING. This tactic added $50 a week to | | | | |
| my paycheck once. OK, that's not a lot but | | | | If the company is the cheapest on the market |
| it's an extra $2,500 a year and I didn't have | | | | then you may be in trouble with the example |
| to ask for it. A good 2 minutes work. The | | | | above so you might have to point out that if |
| reason this tactic works is because people | | | | you can work more quickly and efficiently, |
| generally don't like silences. When you say | | | | etc... then you'll save the company money. |
| nothing the employer can tell that their | | | | They may pay you more for that. |
| offer is less than you were expecting. By | | | | |
| saying nothing forces the employer to | | | | The last resort.. |
| possibly make another offer; an offer a | | | | |
| little closer to what you had in mind. | | | | If all else fails and they won't meet your |
| | | | salary expectations, don't take the job. This |
| Explain that you were earning more in your | | | | might get them to pay what you want or else |
| last position and would expect at least that. | | | | it won't. The fact is you have to be happy |
| If that doesn't apply to you, tell them the | | | | with the salary you're being offered |
| salary you want plus a few thousand dollars | | | | otherwise there is little point in working |
| more. The reason for this is -- if you ask | | | | there is there? |
| for too little you can't negotiate up, you | | | | |
| can only get what you've asked for or | | | | If you can show the employer why you're worth |
| negotiate down. You've got no room to move | | | | the money and they can see that there is no |
| in. But, if you ask for more than you want | | | | way you'll do it for less, refusing the job |
| you have room to move down. Chances are that | | | | may be what it takes for them to meet your |
| you may get what you asked for which is more | | | | demands. It shows them that you are serious |
| than you originally wanted. | | | | about what you can do and the money you think |
| | | | you're worth. |
| Accept the offer on the condition that you | | | | |
| meet again in 3 or 6 months for a wage | | | | If they think you are being unrealistic |
| review. Explain that you have skills that | | | | they'll let you go. Maybe one of their |
| will really benefit the company and you are | | | | competitors will appreciate your skills and |
| willing to work for less than you would | | | | pay you the money you want. |
| ordinarily accept on the proviso that in X | | | | |
| months time you meet again to renegotiate | | | | But remember this: You don't get what you |
| your salary package. You're taking a little | | | | deserve. You get what you negotiate. |