How to Negotiate a Higher Salary in a Job Offer
Before you sign an employment contract and after an offer is made is the best time to negotiate a higher salary. The ball is in your court to accept or reject an offer. Your counteroffer should take into consideration the general business climate, how large a company is and if it is unionized (may have to stay within a salary bracket), your background and skills, and the benefits and perks associated with the offer.
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Instructions
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Read trade journals and online salary surveys to see how much others are making in similar positions in the same industry. Find information about the earnings for your position in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition online. This is a publication of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and it gives salary information for job titles in several industries across the country. Learn about salaries from other resources in the "Earnings" section in the link provided in the Resources section.
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Offer the percentage increase in salary you have had over the last few years, or give a salary range you want if the employer asks about your personal salary history. Wait for the employer to initiate any discussion of salary.
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Ask for a better workspace, an earlier performance review that could come with a raise if you do well or a few extra days of vacation if an increase in salary is non-negotiable. Be willing to compromise on the entire salary package. Consider how much you like the working environment, the commute, the benefits and perks and how well you like your potential co-workers.
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Request any formal offer in writing from the employer. This can eliminate compensation problems if you have to quit, are laid off or are fired in the future.
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References
Resources
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