Today we’re looking at how to negotiate your salary, and tips to increase your overall wage. Now this tip and strategy can be used for both salary, exempt employees, as well as hourly wage, non-exempt employees.
All job positions within a company or industry will fall within a specific salary or hourly wage range. This is highly dependent on geographical location, that being city, town, state, etc
And other factors such as market demand for your particular skill set. Each job title or position has an internally defined pay range, and it is this concept of a “pay range” I want to focus in on here!
When you interview for any company, I always recommend becoming generally knowledgeable about the average or typical pay range for that position within that specific work location. What do others either at that company or within your industry get paid. There are a number of Salary Calculators you can find online to help you with this pay range.
The important strategy here is this. Once you have a general understanding of the pay range, let’s say 50 to 70 thousand dollars annual salary. When interviewing, never offer to any employer a firm number. Always, and I’ll say this again, always – Talk in terms of “range”!
If an employer ask, what is your expected salary you want. Don’t answer that question, in fact answer with a question of your own. Ask them, what the pay range for that position which they have in mind. And be QUIET, let them answer
If they will not give you a number, or maybe a number that is too low, don’t get focused on that. Just respond with, well I’ve been looking into this type of positon, and given the location and cost of living in this area, I’m seeing pay ranges for this type of position to be between X and Y. And give them a range! By always answering with a range allows for you to maintain more control over negotiating your salary or hourly wage.