Salary negotiation during interviews

[Deedlith]

Actually, I think this is one of my weak links during interview. How should one negotiate towards the pay that one desires?

Know the market rate and be firm with your request? How to turn it into your advantage when the company seems to be willing to undercut your pay?

[ninjakiller]

You're not alone. I think many Asian jobseekers tend to be too modest when it comes to salary negotiation.

As you have mentioned, knowing the market rate is important. Speak to friends and contacts who are holding similar jobs to find out how much they are earning. Based on your qualifications and experience, moderate this figure accordingly.

But the topic of salary should only be raised in the later stages of your job interview. Asking about salary prematurely will not leave a good impression on your potential employers. In fact, some employers may not even bring up the issue until subsequent interviews.

It's easier said than done, but you must be able to judge how keen the company is to hire you. Always leave room for negotiation, but do not shortchange yourself by throwing out an initial figure that you will later regret...

Anyone else with more tips to share?

[cookieguy]

Originally Posted by ninjakiller

You're not alone. I think many Asian jobseekers tend to be too modest when it comes to salary negotiation.

As you have mentioned, knowing the market rate is important. Speak to friends and contacts who are holding similar jobs to find out how much they are earning. Based on your qualifications and experience, moderate this figure accordingly.

But the topic of salary should only be raised in the later stages of your job interview. Asking about salary prematurely will not leave a good impression on your potential employers. In fact, some employers may not even bring up the issue until subsequent interviews.

It's easier said than done, but you must be able to judge how keen the company is to hire you. Always leave room for negotiation, but do not shortchange yourself by throwing out an initial figure that you will later regret...

Anyone else with more tips to share?

I agree with you on this

To further add on - one of the tricks is to judge the body language and expression of the interviewer. Though it can be based on assumption; however along the way, you can know if the interviewer is keen to recruit you through his tone, his gesture, his expression on his face etc. Some may take a long hard look at the resume and ponder themselves in thinking. This may be some "tell-tale' signs. Once you can estimate his interest, you can better negotiate your salary package. Ask for more if he sounds interested on your talent.

On the other hand you can throw back some really quick questions at the interviewer to seek his judgement but do it professionally & politely. Be careful on this as some may not like the way you do it. Do it tactfully (you need some practise & experiences - talk to industry players, friends or your peers on how they find you when you pose questions back) However, some may be surprised on your initiatives. This shows some reflection on better negotiation skills and will help more if you are applying for sales based jobs.

Here is an example:

Interviewer: I find that your expected salary is $2800. But I believe I can offer you only $1500. Will you accept that?

(now, most people will frown upon that and do not dare to ask for more because they are afraid they may sound mercenary. After all they feel if they really need a job, $1500 is better than nothing. They think they can seek better promotion in future, but not realising they may feel shortchanged in the long run; hence career dissatisfaction during the job. Now lets take a close look at it. While there is no right or wrong answer; what we may deduce from our understanding is that there can be various assumptions here. One interesting point to know is that if the interviewer is not keen on your skills, he may not actually consider in offering you the post. On the other hand, he may be tight on labour costs but appreciative of your talent. Or he may be "testing" you out to find how you can be "priced" along with the market rate which the interviewer may know)

Rather than answering, you can try asking back the interviewer more questions to better understand your situation:

Interviewee: I am very keen on the position as I believe I can offer much more as I strive to excel and perform in my role (make sure you sound sincere and really can offer that). May I kindly ask if this remuneration package is subject to negotiation? What is the salary range I can fit in? Because I am honestly trying to find a great mutual understanding between us and I positively believe in your offer.

Do not be afraid to be direct. Be a strategist in negotiating.

[leonardtan]

Originally Posted by cookieguy

Rather than answering, you can try asking back the interviewer more questions to better understand your situation:

Interviewee: I am very keen on the position as I believe I can offer much more as I strive to excel and perform in my role (make sure you sound sincere and really can offer that). May I kindly ask if this remuneration package is subject to negotiation? What is the salary range I can fit in? Because I am honestly trying to find a great mutual understanding between us and I positively believe in your offer.

Do not be afraid to be direct. Be a strategist in negotiating.

Thanks for that piece of advice cookieguy. I think that's a very sensible paragraph that will not offend potential employers. Jobseekers need to be firm without sounding too aggressive.

Another point to note is that salary expectations need to be moderated in difficult times like these. Many big companies have announced hiring freezes and some are even retrenching already, so do not jeopardise your own employment prospects by being too fixated with drawing a high salary now.

[Deedlith]

Originally Posted by cookieguy

I agree with you on this

To further add on - one of the tricks is to judge the body language and expression of the interviewer. Though it can be based on assumption; however along the way, you can know if the interviewer is keen to recruit you through his tone, his gesture, his expression on his face etc. Some may take a long hard look at the resume and ponder themselves in thinking. This may be some "tell-tale' signs. Once you can estimate his interest, you can better negotiate your salary package. Ask for more if he sounds interested on your talent.

On the other hand you can throw back some really quick questions at the interviewer to seek his judgement but do it professionally & politely. Be careful on this as some may not like the way you do it. Do it tactfully (you need some practise & experiences - talk to industry players, friends or your peers on how they find you when you pose questions back) However, some may be surprised on your initiatives. This shows some reflection on better negotiation skills and will help more if you are applying for sales based jobs.

Here is an example:

Interviewer: I find that your expected salary is $2800. But I believe I can offer you only $1500. Will you accept that?

(now, most people will frown upon that and do not dare to ask for more because they are afraid they may sound mercenary. After all they feel if they really need a job, $1500 is better than nothing. They think they can seek better promotion in future, but not realising they may feel shortchanged in the long run; hence career dissatisfaction during the job. Now lets take a close look at it. While there is no right or wrong answer; what we may deduce from our understanding is that there can be various assumptions here. One interesting point to know is that if the interviewer is not keen on your skills, he may not actually consider in offering you the post. On the other hand, he may be tight on labour costs but appreciative of your talent. Or he may be "testing" you out to find how you can be "priced" along with the market rate which the interviewer may know)

Rather than answering, you can try asking back the interviewer more questions to better understand your situation:

Interviewee: I am very keen on the position as I believe I can offer much more as I strive to excel and perform in my role (make sure you sound sincere and really can offer that). May I kindly ask if this remuneration package is subject to negotiation? What is the salary range I can fit in? Because I am honestly trying to find a great mutual understanding between us and I positively believe in your offer.

Do not be afraid to be direct. Be a strategist in negotiating.

That's a nice para you nicely put together. shall take note... ...in future..in fact i think it is also useful when neg salary adjustment/ review yearly too!

[JJgal]

Cookiguy, that's a nice way to put it, thanks!

However the range is too big - 1500 to 2800. No company will allow an-almost double the salary negotiation. i believe this is just an example u citing, cos if it's really this big a difference, would suggest you re-look the job requirement as it implies too big a mismatch in the expectations.

[bumblebee]

Hi cookieguy,
that's a very tactful way of handling negotiations. Firm, assertive and yet not coming across as dis-respectful. Look forward to your valuable tips here. Looking of a career change now. Any tips here would be most helpful.


Just to add on, you can gauge if you're shortchanged at this link. http://www.salary.sg/2008/degree-hol...ve-the-median/

=D

[LexLuthor]

Originally Posted by JJgal

Cookiguy, that's a nice way to put it, thanks!

However the range is too big - 1500 to 2800. No company will allow an-almost double the salary negotiation. i believe this is just an example u citing, cos if it's really this big a difference, would suggest you re-look the job requirement as it implies too big a mismatch in the expectations.

Negotiations like this do occur, depending on the role and the current market situation of course. As cookie guy simply put in his last statement not to be afraid to be direct, with a careful approach in negotiating.

More often than not, salary negotiations do come in the later stage of your interview. If you've reach that stage, congratulate yourself. Although some recruitment firms would normally ask for your expected salary first (since their usual objective is to get someone who accepts less pay and can do the job being offered)

To add on to what others have graciously suggested here, I believe it will also help to check on this quick list:
1. Know the market for the position you are applying
2. Believe in yourself and highlight what you can do. (Learn to properly gauge your expertise in line with the requirements. It's dangerous to ask too high price if you can't justify that you will be an asset to the firm)
3. Gauge the current market situation. (If most of whom you know earns 2800+, well during economic crisis employers needing new people would be wise enough not to offer the same rate for that same position)

Having this in mind and following some examples like the one given by cookie guy will help put you in a better position to negotiate

That's all folks! ciao! c",)

[ron2009]

Always negotiate it after you get the offer. you can check salary negotiation essentials here http://www.salarylist.com/increase-jobs-salary.htm it could mean $3000 in 30 minutes. Also check http://SalaryList.com for more job, company, location specific salary information, so you have a good expectation.

[jobsyuk]

its always worth asking. If they are proper businessmen they will respect you for negociating for a better deal

[cookieguy]

thanks all for the replies. Will like to hear feedback/comments

just back only from my ROM. Finally a married man last Sunday.

wishing all a merry xmas & happy holidays ahead!

[cookieguy]

Originally Posted by Deedlith

That's a nice para you nicely put together. shall take note... ...in future..in fact i think it is also useful when neg salary adjustment/ review yearly too!

cheers! btw AWS is coming soon; better if your bonus packages are not reduced & still there

[cookieguy]

Originally Posted by JJgal

Cookiguy, that's a nice way to put it, thanks!

However the range is too big - 1500 to 2800. No company will allow an-almost double the salary negotiation. i believe this is just an example u citing, cos if it's really this big a difference, would suggest you re-look the job requirement as it implies too big a mismatch in the expectations.

yes, just an example but I do hear such cases! from smaller firms however it's rare situations that these happen.

trends always evolve i believe. People always do the unexpected.

[cookieguy]

Originally Posted by bumblebee

Hi cookieguy,
that's a very tactful way of handling negotiations. Firm, assertive and yet not coming across as dis-respectful. Look forward to your valuable tips here. Looking of a career change now. Any tips here would be most helpful.


Just to add on, you can gauge if you're shortchanged at this link. http://www.salary.sg/2008/degree-hol...ve-the-median/

=D

Thanks for the link

[Deedlith]

Originally Posted by ron2009

Always negotiate it after you get the offer. you can check salary negotiation essentials here http://www.salarylist.com/increase-jobs-salary.htm it could mean $3000 in 30 minutes. Also check http://SalaryList.com for more job, company, location specific salary information, so you have a good expectation.

Tried the link but can't seem to "work" when I go into specific industries lei...

[Deedlith]

Originally Posted by cookieguy

thanks all for the replies. Will like to hear feedback/comments

just back only from my ROM. Finally a married man last Sunday.

wishing all a merry xmas & happy holidays ahead!

Congrats! Better late than never heh =P

[virgocalifornia]

The toughest thing about salary negotiations is deciding when to negotiate, how to negotiate and what to say so you do not low ball or ask for to much money. I am a seasoned Recruiter and wrote an article on my site about salary negotiation strategy http://recruiterperspective.blogspot.com. I hope the article answers your question.

[cookieguy]

Originally Posted by virgocalifornia

The toughest thing about salary negotiations is deciding when to negotiate, how to negotiate and what to say so you do not low ball or ask for to much money. I am a seasoned Recruiter and wrote an article on my site about salary negotiation strategy http://recruiterperspective.blogspot.com. I hope the article answers your question.

thanks for sharing by the way, I am curious: did you start your this blog recently or been quite a while?