How to Negotiate a Wage
Searching for a job during a recession is no easy task, and finding a job with your desired wage is even tougher. However, you don't have to settle for the first wage or salary a potential employer offers. Negotiating your wage requires a balancing act between settling for a less than desired wage and losing the job completely. This balancing act is made more difficult during tough economic times, and a game plan is essential before the negotiations begin.
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Instructions
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Do your research. Before you apply for a job you should check to see if the job description contains the starting wage. In "Negotiating Your Salary: How to Make $1,000 a Minute," Jack Chapman suggests doing comparative salary research. This means checking the typical wage for the type of position and the geographic area in which you are applying. There are websites dedicated to salary comparisons.
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Wait for the employer to bring up the wage. Do not talk about the pay during the interview, unless the person interviewing you addresses it first. If the employer does not address the wage, wait until the end of the interview to ask about it. You don't want to appear that money is your only motivation in seeking the job.
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Justify your proposed wage. If you ask for a wage higher than the employer offers, be sure to provide reasons. The reasons you give should be based on your professional qualifications rather than your personal needs. This means stating or reiterating your past experience and skills that make you particularly qualified, instead of explaining your need for more money to pay off the debts you've accumulated.
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Pay attention to the interviewer's reactions. You don't want to push too far, or you may end up with no job at all. Pay attention to how the interviewer responds verbally, but also be aware of the person's body language. If you sense the person is growing impatient or the negotiations take on an unfriendly nature, you may want to consider settling or at least temporarily changing the topic.
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Tips & Warnings
Remain professional, but show your enthusiasm for the job.
Be realistic about the wage you request.
References
Resources
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