Negotiating helps you advocate for yourself, maximize your value, and create win-win situations for all. Developing this skill will allow you to navigate competitive landscapes, overcome obstacles, and position yourself for success regardless of where you are in life and what you want to achieve. Whether you’re negotiating for a pay raise or your initial compensation package, applying the following strategies will help you make the most out of your career.
1. Master likability.
One fundamental yet crucial aspect in negotiation is often overlooked: likability. When people genuinely like you, they are more inclined to fight on your behalf. However, any behavior that diminishes your likability also diminishes the chances of the other party working towards a better offer for you.
Being likable goes beyond mere politeness; it involves skillfully managing the inevitable tensions that arise during negotiations. These tensions may include:
- Advocating for what you deserve without appearing greedy.
- Highlighting an offer’s deficiencies without seeming petty.
- Maintaining persistence without becoming a nuisance.
As a negotiator, you can navigate these potential pitfalls by assessing how their approach is likely to be perceived by others, such as through practice interviews with friends.
2. Build trust throughout the negotiation process.
When negotiating for a stronger or improved offer, it’s important to recognize that people are unlikely to invest their political or social capital if they suspect you will ultimately reject their efforts. After all, who wants to be used as a bargaining chip so you can secure a job at another company? If your intention is to negotiate for a better compensation package, it is crucial to convey a genuine interest in working for the prospective employer.
While highlighting your desirability to other companies can pique interest, it’s essential to strike a balance. If you excessively emphasize your other options, it may lead them to believe that they won’t be able to secure your acceptance, causing them to question the effort they put into the negotiation process. Therefore, when leveraging your alternatives, it’s important to clearly communicate the conditions or circumstances under which you would be willing to forgo those options and accept an offer.
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3. Conduct market research to learn about comparable positions in your industry.
Knowing your market is key. Negotiating without doing any market research is like going into a battle without knowing the terrain and strength of your opponent. You’ll essentially be operating on assumptions and guesswork, which could undermine your negotiation position.
Make sure you:
- Gather any relevant information and assess the market dynamics.
- Understand the current salary ranges, compensation packages and industry standards for the position you are negotiating for.
- Take advantage of the online resources, professional networks and industry reports at your disposal.
Taking these actions will equip you with a solid foundation for your negotiation and ensure that you are well informed about the market value of your skills.
4. Demonstrate your value to the other party.
Being likable may not be sufficient to get what you desire during the negotiation process. It is equally crucial for others to see the value you offer the company. Don’t rely solely on your proposal to make its case—always accompany it with a compelling story, details, and data.
Merely stating your desires, such as a 15% higher salary or the ability to work from home one day a week, is insufficient. Instead, provide a detailed explanation of why your request is justified. This may include highlighting your unique qualifications or extenuating circumstances that will justify your request.
If you lack justifiable reasons for a particular demand, it may be wise to reconsider making it. Remember, there is a delicate balance between being likable and effectively communicating your value. Presenting yourself as exceptionally valuable can come across as arrogance if you haven’t thoughtfully considered how to convey that message.
5. Know that you are negotiating with a person – not a faceless company.
In negotiations, it’s essential to remember that it is individuals, not companies, who engage in the process. To effectively influence the person sitting across from you, it is vital to understand their perspectives. What are their interests and specific concerns?
It is also crucial to recognize that negotiating with a potential boss is significantly different from negotiating with an HR representative. While you may feel comfortable posing detailed questions about the offer to the latter, it is important to avoid irritating someone who could potentially become your manager with seemingly trivial demands.
HR representatives, who are often responsible for hiring multiple individuals, may be hesitant to deviate from established precedents. On the other hand, your potential boss, who stands to gain more directly from your addition to the company, may be more inclined to support you and advocate for special requests.
6. Be aware that the company may have constraints that can limit their offers.
Even if they genuinely like you and believe you deserve what you’re asking for, there may still be obstacles preventing them from granting your requests. These constraints could be rigid and non-negotiable, such as salary caps, which no amount of negotiation can overcome.
Your task is to identify the areas where they are flexible and those where they are not. For instance, when dealing with a large company that is simultaneously hiring numerous individuals in similar roles, offering a higher salary than others may be impossible.
However, they might be open to negotiating start dates, vacation time, or signing bonuses. Conversely, when negotiating with a smaller company that has never hired someone in your specific role, there may be leeway to adjust the initial salary offer or job title, but other aspects may be less negotiable. The better you grasp the constraints at play, the more likely you’ll be able to propose solutions that address the concerns of both parties.
7. Make your decision based on the entire offer – not just the money.
Many people mistakenly overlook the multitude of other factors that can significantly impact job satisfaction and can often be negotiated with relative ease, sometimes even more so than salary. That’s why it is important not to fixate solely on monetary compensation.
Instead, shift your focus towards the overall value of the entire package, considering aspects such as responsibilities, location, travel requirements, work-hour flexibility, growth and advancement opportunities, additional perks, support for ongoing education, and more.
Expand your perspective beyond how you wish to be rewarded and also consider the timing of those rewards. You may decide to pursue a path that offers a lesser immediate financial gain but positions you more advantageously for future success.
Negotiation is a critical skill that can have a great impact on the trajectory of your career. Using the strategies above will enable you to secure the best possible outcome for your career journey. Just remember to advocate for yourself confidently, articulate your value and be prepared to compromise when necessary.