Saturday, November 29, 2008

Salary negotiation guru speaks

By Trevor Davide Grant

It is not a good idea to discuss salary early in an interview. It can be too much information when trying to negotiate a new salary, but how can you dodge the question?

A good rule of thumb is to always be honest. Discussing salary during the early part of the recruiting process is not a good idea.

The best way to deal when pressed for your salary information is as follows:

1) Just let them know that your past salary is not all that related to the work you're going to do in the new job. The terms and work conditions and responsibilities are different, and therefore your past salary should not factor into your new job compensation.

2) If the employer insists you mention your previous salary, mention with the total value of your salary package. Also, restate that it is not the same company you will be working for, and so your past salary is not related. There are so many factors including balanced lifestyle, annual vacation, rewarded overtime that also factor in.

3) You have to know where you stand in terms of the market. Know the going salary range for the job you are in and the skill level and experience you have for your region. You should know what level you can ask for and expect to get by doing your research.

4) Regardless of whether or not you were earning at or below or even above the market average for your career, your past salary is not relevant. You may have had any number of reasons for working below market in the past, but what is important now is that you earn current market rates for the work you do. Your past doesn't explain your worth as a resource to the new employer.

5) If you divulge your salary, restate that you expect to be paid the standard industry rate for the posting, and explain what you do understand about the industry at that time. Most employers will respect you for standing your ground on the matter. Just remember that in negotiating you should be firm in your stance but respectful in your demeanor.

Never tell a lie to your prospective employer. Just be aware that they have ways of knowing or discovering the truth that you don't have control over. The most important thing is to communicate honestly the value you can bring to the employer and impress them with that.

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