Does your stomach turn at the mere thought of having to negotiate? Are you worried that you’ll make an offer they can refuse? Well, I have good news and I have bad news.

Bad news: Negotiating needs to be a regular practice during your job search.

Good news: This post will help you feel more prepared as you approach the conversation.

Below you’ll find my 7 pro tips for tackling negotiation. Implementing these steps will help boost your confidence and sell your competence - both of which lead towards building your value.

Tackle the first 3 before applying. The final 4 come into play after securing your offer of employment. 

Before applying:

Step 1: Research the going rate for someone with your skillset. 

Job postings are not always transparent about the salary offered. Additionally, you want to confirm your salary is matching the value you bring. You can research salaries for jobs in your area to get an up-to-date reference. PayScale.com and Salary.com are good places to start. Neither site requires a login to gather information. 

Step 2: Research the company. 

While it’s tempting to apply to any company with a listing in your field, be intentional here. Take time to research the company first. Glassdoor and TeamBlind are good places to start. These sites also include reviews about the company and their salary ranges from verified employees. 

Step 3: Outline your expectations.

This should include expectations regarding all benefits - salary, paid time off, flexible work options, 401K matching, etc. Be very clear and honest with yourself here. Knowing your deal-breakers up front will prepare you for knowing what to ask for in the following steps. 

After you have the complete offer in-hand:

Step 4: Prepare your negotiation strategy.

Never accept the offer immediately. Always ask to look over the complete offer before giving your verbal acceptance. Use all benefits to your advantage. Depending on what your research about the company revealed, you may have some leverage. For instance, is the salary they’re offering in the lower range of what your research suggested was appropriate? Do you have a competing offer you’re considering that includes more comprehensive benefits?

Step 5: Practice your negotiation.

Practice the mirror while recording or with someone else.  If by yourself, listening back to your recording will help you polish over areas you missed. If you’re able to have someone listen in, ask them for feedback on the clarity of your terms. You want to ensure you are concise and confident in your delivery. 

Step 6: Negotiate!

When possible, always talk through the negotiation. Avoid email when possible. Just think, as easy as it is for you to hide behind the email while attempting to negotiate, it’s even easier for them to return a “No”.

Step 7: Breathe.

The worst part is over! Maybe you’ve gotten an immediate “Yes!” YAY! Maybe you’ve been asked to wait while they confirm. Okay! Maybe you’ve gotten an immediate, “This is the most we can do.” Okay. Either way - you’ve put yourself out there to secure the best possible outcome for yourself and you should be proud!

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