Salary Negotiating?The 6 unexpected do’s and don’ts

Keep things moving, but feel free to sleep on the information, offers and leverage experts on the offer details. Stay calm and confident!

3 Salary Don’ts:

1- Don’t share your salary details. There is no need to share your current salary details with a future employer unless they request proof. Instead share your expectations.  “I am certain we are within the same range for this role. I am applying and interviewing for roles that are a level up and use my years of experience my current role.”

2-Don’t wait until the last minute to ask your salary questions. It can be so disappointing to go through many interview rounds, only to find out that there a particular salary requirements that do not match what you want in this next role. Ask questions like “are you able to give me a range?", “what were the typical bonuses last year and the year prior to that?”, “is there any benefit information that I should know about at this stage of the interview process?”

3- Don’t be afraid to ask questions about titles or levels as it relates to salary. In many companies, small, medium, large, they associate salary, increases with title increases. And on the inverse others, do not connect them. Don’t be afraid to ask broader recognition and salary questions as it relates to your future employer. “What is your salary increase and promotion process and when does it happen in the annual cycle?”

Salary negotiations Do’s: 

1- Do feel confident.  No one has your background. Be confident through the process.  Knowing you are getting an offer means they want you to work there. 

2- Do  work on negotiations with HR or the equivalent, never the hiring manager. Negotiating with your future boss can be awkward long term especially if things get sticky. If working with HR is not possible ask for a third party to be in the meetings or CCd on emails. It will sale the relationship long term. 

3- Do take a balanced approach to the process. Take the offer that works for you. We all have things that we must have in a new job. Salary is just one part of the offer. There are benefits like healthcare, retirement plans and other perks like hybrid work at home roles that might make the offer more rich. You can always ask a coach or advisor, HR or legal professional to look over the whole package to help seal the deal.  Non-competes have been getting tricky so read everything carefully.