Getting what you’re worth from a job can be a daunting task. While some fear attempting to negotiate for higher salaries, wrongful termination lawyers in LA and across the country can tell you that reprisal because you asked for a raise is both unlikely and wrong. It’s in your best interests to try and make the case that you should be paid what you deserve. Here are some tips that will help you when you head into negotiations.
Know What You Should Be Earning
You can’t negotiate if you don’t know what numbers are feasible in your industry, so the first thing you should do is some research about the salary ranges for your profession and how your current rate of pay is stacking up. There’s no shortage of online salary research tools, and popular sites like Payscale or Salary.com will allow you to zero in on the range that individuals in your field earn. Once you have your numbers, you can perfect your strategy.
Get Your Game Plan Together
Before you ask for your raise, make sure you have all your details laid out and you know what you’re talking about. When it comes to nailing down the salary you’re asking for, you should aim for the higher end of the pay range that’s typical for your role/industry. What’s more, you should time your negotiations right, taking into account subtle details like the fact that you’re more likely to get a raise if you ask on a Thursday.
Negotiate With Confidence
Your form is going to play a large part in how convincing your argument for a better salary will be. If you’re timid or sound like you don’t really know what you’re asking for, you can more than likely kiss that pay raise goodbye. Be sure to exude confidence when you’re making your request, and back that confidence up with clear, concise reasoning on why you deserve to earn more money for your job.
Be Firm and Know When to Walk
It bears repeating that you should know your exact number (not a salary range) and that you should stick to that number entering your negotiation. If you appear too flexible or willing to concede, chances are you won’t get anywhere near the salary you’re looking for. Instead, throw out your number and stick to it closely, and be sure of yourself to the point where you can turn down an offer or walk away if it’s simply too low.
