Do's and Don'ts for Successful Salary Negotiations

As a Houston executive recruiters, we know the process you go through to land a job can be daunting – from screening and interviewing to testing and reference checking. And after all that is said and done, there’s still one more crucial phase to complete before signing on the dotted line – salary negotiations. So how can you successfully negotiate to ensure you get the compensation you deserve? Here are some do’s and don’ts:

Do’s for Salary Negotiations:

  • Do your homework ahead of time so that you know what the value of your skills, experience and achievements are worth in today’s marketplace. Use salary information websites or visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
  • Do withhold information on your salary history as long as possible. Many times, employers use past salaries as a way to screen candidates out.
  • Do be honest about your salary history. Padding your salary can come back to haunt you when the prospective employer calls your past employers to verify employment and salary.
  • Do toot your own horn and highlight the experience and skills you can bring to the table so that the employer truly understands the value you’re offering.
  • Do be realistic about your salary expectations. You have to keep in mind the current state of the industry you work in, as well as the economy when it comes to salary negotiations.
  • Do try to negotiate additional perks, especially if you’re not successful in getting the exact salary you want. These can include things like extra vacation time or a performance bonus.
Don’ts for Salary Negotiations:
  • Don’t start negotiating a salary until you’ve learned as much as possible about the Houston job and the responsibilities it entails.
  • Don’t give the employer a specific figure when asked how much salary you want. Instead, ask the employer how much they would be willing to pay for someone with your skills and experience.
  • Don’t be too eager to accept – even if the figure is exactly what you want. Many employers leave some room for negotiating, so you should still consider a counteroffer even if you are happy with their initial offer.
  • Don’t get pressured into accepting if you’re not happy with the offer. Let the employer know that the offer is less than what you’re expecting by saying something like: “I have a better offer from another firm. Can you match it?” or “Given my level of experience and track record of success at my past employers, I feel like $65,000 would be a more appropriate salary.”
  • It’s ok to be aggressive, but don’t go overboard. After all, if you do get the Houston job, you have to work with these people and you don’t want to start off on the wrong foot. So always remain professional and upbeat, focusing on why you deserve a higher salary than what’s being offered.

If you need more tips on negotiating a salary, or help finding a job in Houston, contact Murray Resources. As experienced executive recruiters, Murray Resources can help you through each and every phase of the job search process so that you secure the position and the compensation you deserve.