By itresourcescorpcomBlog, Interview Tips, Job Search Guide
Can you lose a job offer by negotiating salary? As IT recruiters, candidates ask us this question fairly often. In short, yes, this situation can occur. However, typically it is rare.
When candidates have a challenging list of changes to the initial offer, hiring managers may rethink their decision. We recommend doing proper research on how to negotiate salary in an interview to avoid any second thoughts.
Here are six tips on negotiating salary without losing the job offer.
6 Tips on Negotiating Salary Before the Interview
1. Do Your Research
Before you even have the interview, do your research. Look up the company on sources like Glassdoor to get an idea of what they pay their employees. Some job postings share their salary ranges while others don’t. Even if they do, look at what other positions offer in similar locations.
Locations and cost of living can heavily influence a salary. However, with the pandemic influencing the increase of remote positions, some salary trends have changed.
When candidates research salaries, sometimes they mistakenly think that a salary in San Francisco can apply toward a salary in Florida. They thus ask for a higher range and additional benefits, leading to hiring managers changing their minds. When you’re looking up how to negotiate salary in an interview, keep in mind the cost of living.
2. Know what to say when negotiating salary
Practice what to say when negotiating salary beforehand. Keep in mind most employers and hiring managers to practice negotiating salary as a part of their jobs. In other words, they’re used to it.
They will not feel shocked when you start negotiating. After knowing how much to ask for, start practicing so you know what to say and you feel confident saying it. Always be professional. Make a note of what you are willing to accept, your goal, and your bottom line.
3. Look at the total package
It’s not just about the salary. Part of the negotiation can be about your benefits. How much PTO do you receive? Do they offer a sign-on or performance bonus? If you feel unsatisfied with the answers to those questions, consider negotiating.
When questioning can you lose a job when negotiating salary, keep in mind it might not necessarily be the salary that you lose the position. For example, a professor was denied employment because she asks for both an increase in salary and benefits. If you choose to negotiate benefits, do it similarly as you would when researching salary.
4. Make it prompt
Responsiveness matters. The hiring managers will look at your level of interest and your enthusiasm while you negotiate. If you take too long to respond, it can appear as if you lost interest. They then might move on to a different candidate.
5. Do it in person
Referring back to the professor, the conversation occurred over email. Although she had a lengthy list of requests, you could assume through her language she wanted to negotiate. Instead, not only did the college deny her request, they revoked her offer entirely.
By negotiating in person, you can read a person when you begin to negotiate and determine if they feel displeased. You can thus continue the negotiation process to let them know that’s not your bottom line. Furthermore, you don’t give them time to consider revoking the offer.
6. Get it in writing
Although also rare, some companies change what you agreed upon. Get it in writing and ask for the whole package’s written documentation. Some companies may deliver this automatically. However, if not, be sure to ask for it.
How to Negotiate Salary in the Interview
When the next step of the interview process comes along, have your research handy. Know how much you deserve and don’t be ready to sell yourself short. You might think you’re worth $75,000 while the hiring manager thinks the position’s bottom line is $90,000.
When learning how to negotiate salary in an interview, we recommend not immediately disclosing how much you made in your last role. Not too many recruiters or hiring managers for this number. Some recruiters might when candidates come to them asking for potential jobs.
However, if they continue to press about past salaries and do not look at skills or qualifications, you might need to reconsider. A company that only cares about protecting its money without doing its own research may not be a good fit.
Lastly, when it comes to what to say when negotiating salary, wait until the second interview or once the company has given you an offer to talk about compensation. Be firm and polite. Do not be afraid to ask for more if the numbers do not match what they ask.
Your IT Career Counselor
So can you lose a job offer by negotiating salary? Although the answer is yes contact a recruiter. They can help guide you through the salary ranges of a role in a specific location or company. Furthermore, if you fall into the Florida IT sector, our career counselors can help you plan out your goals today.
IT Resources works hard to place IT, professionals, with the industry’s top companies nationwide. We give you our attention through your job search, the interview process, and through negotiating salary. We can help polish up your resume, interviewing skills, and get you ready to help negotiate salary. You’re never just a number to us.
