Although salary might not be the most important in a job to you, it can make a difference in your overall satisfaction and engagement. It is more than normal to negotiate about a salary raise every now and then. Negotiating about a raise can be difficult and might result in an outcome that you didn’t expect. Preparation is therefore key and that is why we are going to help you in negotiating for a raise at work in this article. There are a few (standard) things you should keep in mind, before you start “the talk.”
A Good Negotiator
In today’s world, there is a growing need of collaboration. But having to deal with other parties means having different needs, beliefs and opinions. Disagreements in these kinds of situations are inevitable. Negotiating means advocating for yourself with the aim of goodwill. If the negotiation is successful, two parties will come together and accept an agreement that is good for both parties. Being a good negotiator is an essential skill in the work environment. It can help build relationships and avoid future conflicts. Being an effective negotiator however, can be challenging. Make sure you use the tricks below:
Dress Well
Make sure that you are well-rested and dressed well for your meeting. This will make a better impression. Dressing professionally is a good investment against the prospect of higher earnings. It will also help you in staying professional during the negotiation.
Listen
When you dive into a negotiation and you prepare in advance, it is more than likely that you want to hear yourself talking. How tempting this might seem, it is not a good idea. The goal of negotiation is not just to get what you want, but also what the other party wants. Try to look at the situation from another side’s perspective. Effective listening is key to a good negotiation. If you want a salary raise, it is also important to listen – being thoughtful and serious will help you further in this process.
Use Concrete Examples
Confidence in negotiations is not enough to make the deal. It is always important to have a plan to show why you deserve a raise. For example, you can bring notes to remind them how you’ve added value to the company. Examples of where you have saved the company money will be good selling points. Another thing you can do beforehand, is ask for a performance review. This will not only highlight the things you have done well, but also makes you aware of where you need to improve.
Acceptance
Keep in mind that you will not ‘win’ every negotiation. Be willing to walk away if the deal is not right for you. This might seem difficult, but in the end the other party knows that you only do serious business. If you keep this in mind, you will not settle for less and come to a good agreement.
Prepare
Before you start negotiating make sure you are well-prepared. Ask yourself questions like: what do they want? What options are there? What pressures do they feel? A good start is half the job done. In negotiations your seniority is not the most important thing to mention. Rather talk about accomplishments for the company. Another tip is to rehearse your conversation in advance, including possible answers to adverse reactions. You can ask family of friends to listen and push back with possible scenarios.
Make a deal
Don’t give anything away without getting something in return. If the other party has to earn your concession, they will derive a greater form of satisfaction. When you just ‘give something away,’ without expecting anything in return they will probably not be satisfied yet. Which means that you have to do even more concessions.
Patience
Make sure you are not in a hurry. It is very tempting to just get it over with, but this is not a good idea. It is an advantage to be flexible in time, otherwise you are more likely to make mistakes. This can be used by the other party, since they can let you make concessions faster. Negotiation is a game changer. Being a good negotiator can be a difficult task. If you want to be successful in your job it is important to be a good negotiator. Always consider seeking help from a professional or another collegue if interests between you and the other party are far from each other.