NegotiatingthebeststartingsalaryUnderstandably,manypeoplefinddiscussingsalariesuncomfortableandembarrassingduringaninterview.However,mostinterviewersexpectsomebarteringand,ifitmotivatesyoutoputmoreintothejob,itisworthwhileforboththeapplicantandtheemployer.Morethananyothernegotiation,astartingsalarymustresultinawin-winsituation.TipsfornegotiatingthebeststartingsalaryKnowyourvaluePriortotheinterview,researchthecompanyandsalaryrangeforthepositionyouareapplyingfor.Conductasalaryresearchsoyoucanunderstandyourmarketvalueby:Comparingsalariesinjobadverts–rememberdifferentlocationsmightattracthigherorlowerwagesCheckingoutonlinesalarysurveys(e.g.www.ukrecruiter.co.uk/salary.htm)Contactingpeopleinthesamejoborindustrytoaskwhatothercompaniespay.SayaslittleaspossibleAninterviewerwillwanttodiscusssalaryasearlyaspossiblesotheydonotwastetimewithsomeonetheycannotafford.Theymayalsoliketodwellonyourpastsalary,inordertokeepyoursalaryexpectationslow.Youneedtodelaythetalkofsalaryaslongaspossibleuntilyoucanconvincethemthatyouarethepersontheyneed.So:Avoidingdiscussingsalaryuntilyouhaveajoboffer.Ifyoudo,youcouldpriceyourselfoutofajob.Gettheemployertodisclosesalarybeforeyoudo.Donotdisclosepastsalary.Ifpushedforafigure,youcouldsay,‘butofcourse,Iwouldn’tacceptthatfigureattoday’srateofpay’or‘butItookthatlowerwageinlieuoftraining’.Alternatively,ensureyouincludetheentirevalueofthepackagethatyoureceived–notjustthebasicsalary.Ifpressedbytheinterviewersaboutdesiredsalary,try‘Whatkindofsalaryrangeareyouworkingwith?’or‘I’dliketomakeasmuchasotheremployeeswithmyqualifications’or‘Whatisatypicalsalaryforthisposition?’or‘UntilIlearnmoreabouttheresponsibilitiesIcannotmakeameaningfulsuggestion,butwillconsiderareasonableoffer’.Anotherstrategyisnameapayrangeinstead.SellyourskillsBepreparedtotalkabouttheskillsandaccomplishmentsthatsupportthevalueyouconsideryourselftohave.EstablishyourtargetsalaryandabsolutebottomlineBeforeyougointoaninterview,decidewhatsalaryyouwanttoearnandwhatyouarewillingtose