No Result
View All Results
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Results
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Reserve & National Guard

4 tips for negotiating your salary in 2020

T.T. Robinson
by T.T. Robinson
December 26, 2019

Salary negotiation is a key part of the employment process that isn’t always discussed. For most people, talking about money, and specifically, asking for more, can feel intimidating, but it is important to know that compensation is how a company reinforces your value. Check out these four tips that will help you view this financial conversation as more of a dance and less of a disaster.  

Know the numbers. 

Whenever an applicant heads into a salary negotiation, there are three numbers to focus on: the industry average, the value you bring, and your bottom line.  

Industry average –

It’s important to have an understanding of what professionals in your field are being paid so that you can form a fact-based argument of what you deserve. Do your homework with resources, like Glassdoor, that factor in job title, location, years of experience and additional skillsets. Source others in your professional network, such as LinkedIn, to find out what you can expect or browse different job postings to see salary ranges.  

Your worth –

Are you just starting out or have you been in your field for a significant amount of time? Your “magic number” should accurately reflect your demonstrated abilities as well as the nature of the job.  

Your threshold – 

Of equal importance is knowing what you want, while determining what number you can’t or aren’t willing to dip below. For example, if you have to make $30/hour to pay for childcare and still make a profit, then don’t accept less than that; you’ll resent the employer before you even complete new employee orientation.  

Let them start. 

Whether we like it or not, the party that discloses a number first is the one setting the starting point. Ideally, you don’t want this to be you. While it seems counterintuitive – you want the ball in your court – by telling them what you’re currently making or what you want to make, you might actually be lowballing yourself.  

Think about it. 

If a company is prepared to pay a candidate up to $75,000/year and they’re going to offer you $60,000/year, but you say you have to make $50,000, you might even walk away with an offer for less than what they were prepared to pay you. When asked what you’re currently making or desired salary, flip the script and ask what someone of your value and experience would be worth to the company. The sooner you get a starting point from them, the sooner you can start negotiations.  

Leverage your experience. 

A great technique for salary negotiation is the term “I get.” Any time you can leverage work you’ve done and what you’ve been paid to get a higher rate is a good thing (so long as you’re not starting with the number). This is particularly helpful when the company has offered you less than what you can take.  

For example, if a company offers you $50/hour to manage a project, try countering with, “I typically get $100/hour for a project of that scope. Do you have room in your budget to meet that number?” All it takes is one project at that rate for you to be able to say that’s what you’ve been compensated. Highlighting that someone else has been willing to pay you that figure showcases both worth and experience.  

Look for loopholes. 

So you’ve said you need $100/hour and they’ve come back with $60/hour and ‘they absolutely can’t do more.’ This isn’t the end quite yet.  

This is where you look for perks, accommodations, incentives, bonus opportunities and benefits. Based on the nature of the work, there might be some hidden opportunities that could be priceless to you. A few extra paid days off each year? A work from home day each week? A flexible schedule? If you can make it work for $60/hour, then you’re sitting in the driver’s seat now. Go for it. 

The art of salary negotiation doesn’t need to be intimidating. Approach the conversation armed with your numbers and the knowledge that you have the skill to do this dance. We know you’re worth it. Now it’s time you know it, too.  

 

Read comments
Tags: careerGlassdoorsalary negotiation
T.T. Robinson

T.T. Robinson

T. T. Robinson is the managing editor of We Are The Mighty. She is the founder of Humans on the Homefront and author of the New York Times Deployment Diary. T.T. is also a graduate of Harvard’s Leadership in Crises Executive Education program, something that has proved super helpful as the mother of two young children.

Related Posts

Gold Star mothers vow to never stop talking about their children

by Crystal Kupper
1 week ago
0
Gold Star

Gold Star mothers across the country are determined to carry on their children’s legacies and ensure that they're never forgotten.

Read more

Guardsmen ‘undersell themselves’ in civilian job hunt

by AmeriForce Exclusive
2 weeks ago
0

An employment program is offering specialized support for the career readiness needs of job seekers from the National Guard. “Members...

Read more

Twin brothers climb enlisted ranks together

by Crystal Kupper
2 weeks ago
0
Twin brothers at the 185th Air Refueling Wing, Chief Master Sgt. Lucas Terry, the unit’s Vehicle Management Superintendent and Chief Master Sgt. Zachary Terry, the unit’s Distribution Superintendent both promote from senior master sergeant to chief master sergeant at their promotion ceremonies on August 6, 2023 in Sioux City, Iowa. Both Lucas Terry and Zachary Terry enlisted at the same time 23 years ago (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Olivia Monk).

Chief Master Sgts. Zachary “Zach” Terry and Lucas “Luke” Terry have always done everything as a pair. From their boyhood...

Read more

Army medic receives EMT certification through the military

by Christopher Adams
2 weeks ago
0
Ambulance standing in night traffic at a motor vehicle accident in early winter, Roseburg Oregon

Spc. Trevor George, who serves in the Minnesota National Guard, trained and served as an Army medic and currently works...

Read more

Security forces awardee credits team for success

by Kari Williams
3 weeks ago
0
security forces

Capt. Paul Day, who is in security forces, is the 2022 Air Reserve Component Company Grade Officer of the Year.

Read more

Country music icon enlists, wants to inspire next generation of recruits

by Jessica Manfre
4 weeks ago
0
Staff Sgt. Craig Morgan took the oath of enlistment on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. CREDIT: © Grand Ole Opry, photos by Chris Hollo

Army veteran and country music star Craig Morgan surprised an audience this summer by taking the oath of enlistment during...

Read more

Ads

Let's get social

The RNG Drill

News delivered directly to your inbox

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL
  • GET THE NEWSLETTER

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Never miss out on the latest stories.

© 2021 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

No Result
View All Results
  • NEWS
  • YOUR CAREER
    • UNIT TRAINING
    • DEPLOYMENT
    • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • RECRUITING & RETENTION
    • ENTREPRENEUR
    • TRANSITION
  • EDUCATION
  • MILITARY LIFE
    • MILITARY SPOUSES
    • MILITARY KIDS
    • PARENTING
  • OFF DUTY
    • ENTERTAINMENT
    • TRAVEL
  • HEALTH
    • FITNESS
    • MEDICINE
    • MENTAL HEALTH
  • SPORTS
  • OPINION
  • HISTORY
  • MONEY
    • PERSONAL FINANCE
    • BENEFITS
  • GET THE MAGAZINE
    • PRINT MAGAZINES
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINES
    • GET THE NEWSLETTER
  • ABOUT US
    • MEET OUR TEAM
    • OUR AUTHORS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
    • PITCH US
    • CONTACT

© 2022 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW