Get What You Deserve: Negotiating a Starting Salary
Starting a new job is exciting. You may be moving to a new place, taking on new responsibilities, and meeting new people. But there’s one part of the process that can feel like dragging a deadweight—negotiating your starting salary.
In fact, 73% of employers expect employees to negotiate their salaries, but only about half (55%) of employees actually do it. Many job seekers feel uncomfortable asking for more money, leaving thousands of dollars on the table.
If you’ve ever felt uneasy asking for a raise or a higher starting salary, don’t worry. In our new series, Get What You Deserve, we’ll provide detailed guides on how to handle these uncomfortable conversations like a pro.
Let’s start by diving into best practices for negotiating your starting salary.
Step 1: Have the Offer in Hand
Before negotiating your salary, always make sure you have the job offer in writing. This gives you more leverage because you know the company already wants you on board. Now that you’re ready, the first step is knowing how much to ask for.
Step 2: Research & Prepare
One of the worst mistakes you can make in a salary negotiation is going in unprepared. Knowledge is power, and thorough research is crucial. Here’s how to get started:
- Research your role in the industry: Find out how much professionals in your field, with similar skills and experience, are earning. Resources like Glassdoor, Robert Half’s 2024 Salary Guide, and Salary.com are great places to look.
- Evaluate your skills: Do you have unique qualifications that set you apart?
- Ask your network: Reach out to your connections or recruiters for insights on what a fair salary range looks like.
- Compile your past achievements: Make a list of your accomplishments—awards, certifications, results, and testimonials from previous roles—that you can reference during negotiations.
By comparing your experience and achievements with industry standards, you’ll be able to formulate a salary that’s both reasonable and ambitious.
Step 3: Determining Your Ideal Salary
Instead of picking a number that just sounds good, salary negotiations should be strategic. Based on your research, you should now have a solid understanding of what the acceptable salary range is for your position. But don’t stop there—factor in your individual qualifications and market conditions.
Let’s consider an example: You’re negotiating a starting salary as a newly promoted Housekeeping Manager in Las Vegas. Your research shows the typical salary range for this position is between $56,440 and $71,538 per year. After four years in the industry, taking on leadership roles and earning an Associate’s degree in Business, you have a strong case for being on the higher end of that range.
Guidelines for determining your ideal salary:
- Be ambitious, but fair: Aim for the higher end of your range to avoid being trapped at the low end, but remain realistic.
- Use specific numbers: Instead of rounding up (e.g., $65,000), use exact figures like $56,440. This shows you’ve done your homework and strengthens your argument.
- Know your walk-away value: Decide on the lowest amount you’re willing to accept, and if the employer won’t meet that figure, be prepared to walk away.
- Negotiate beyond salary: If the employer is firm on pay, think about other perks you could negotiate—flexible hours, extra PTO, etc.
Step 4: Practice Makes Perfect
Preparation is key, but so is confidence. Practice what you plan to say during the negotiation. Rehearse with a friend or family member, so you can get feedback and prepare for counteroffers. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll feel when the time comes.
Step 5: The Negotiation
No two salary negotiations are alike, but there are a few best practices that can help you succeed:
- Make it a conversation: Approach the negotiation like a dialogue rather than a standoff. Ask the employer about their current challenges, and highlight how your skills can help solve those problems. This frames your value to the company’s future success, making it more likely they’ll consider your offer favorably.
- Be ready to answer tough questions: Employers may ask, “Why should we accept your offer?” Use this as an opportunity to showcase your commitment, passion, and how you’ll contribute to the company.
- Stand your ground: If an offer is too low, remain respectful but don’t settle for less than you’re worth.
- Get everything in writing: After the conversation, ensure your salary, benefits, and any negotiated terms are documented and signed by both you and your employer. Keep this document in a safe, accessible place.
Step 6: Celebrate Your Success
You did it! Negotiating your salary doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. With preparation and confidence, you can approach the conversation professionally and secure the compensation you deserve.
In the next part of this series, we’ll be discussing asking for a raise. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks!
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About LGC
Since 2003 LGC has been building connections between businesses with staffing needs and job seekers looking for new opportunities. Our range of solutions includes temporary and permanent placements (and everything in between) for a variety of industries. With offices located nationwide, we can tap into a dynamic pool of talented professionals. We have a passion for creating partnerships that last and work hard every day to ensure both clients and candidates reach their employment goals.