6 Tips on How To Negotiate Your Salary

You’ve got the job offer, congrats! Maybe even two offers, but now what? Here are tips you must know to negotiate and maximize your next salary.

You got a job the offer, congrats! Heck, maybe you’ve been fortunate enough to score two or more, which is even better. Though starts the next phase of the conversation, to maximize that offer and talk your way to the salary you want and deserve. Let’s be frank, any money conversation can feel daunting for a variety of reasons. It is easy to overthink this. It’s also an uncertain challenge since there are no formal rules, resources, or mechanisms to help candidates such as yourself. That’s why the team here at Blind is offering you these 10 tips to guide you and help you through negotiating your salary.

1 – Do Your Research and Know Your Worth

Doubt and uncertainty are largely driven by what we don’t know. A Ted Talk by Casey Brown, “Know your worth, and then ask for it”, positions a simple approach: clearly defining your value and clearly communicating are essential to earning what you are worth. Eliminate that sensation by conducting research and understanding your worth. Know the company, the team or function you’ll be joining, and the city you’ll be based on. One helpful tool is Blind’s Salary Comparison tool, one of the real-time tools to help you gauge your worth. This helps many candidates understand salary ranges at many big tech names. You can also use other tools such as CNN Money’s Cost of Living Calculator to better understand the difference between cities both within and out of state.

2 – Confirm if the Offer is Negotiable

Depending on the relationship and dynamic with your current recruiter, you may have the luxury to ask flat out if they offer is negotiable. Direct questions such as “How firm is this offer package?” or “Are there elements of the offer that are more flexible?”. If you don’t feel comfortable asking directly, there are questions such as “How was this package calculated?” may open the conversation to negotiation.

3 – Understand all the Components and Define Your Range

Compensation is very rarely measured in base salary alone, especially within Tech or Finance. If you’re a user on Blind, you know that total compensation (TC) is an ongoing discussion. Define what is actually valuable to you – know the equity you’re being given, PTO, health care benefits, relocation assistance, education or tuition reimbursement, or 401(k) contributions. Truly understand all the variables going into this offer and others, and figure out that range. While it’s hard to forget in the pandemic era, but also make note of the less tangible benefits such as paid lunch perks, telecommuting bonuses, or other work-from-home support mechanisms. Other soft assets will include the hiring manager’s coaching style and the team or company’s culture. All of these have a value that should not be overlooked.

4 – Outline Your Playbook/Rules

The key here is really timing, especially if you are fortunate to have multiple offers. Make sure you have as much information in writing and know the key dates when offers expire. Some users on Blind have even mentioned instances when recruiters ask for copies of competing job offers. While this practice is unorthodox, be prepared. Do your best to keep offers warm and do not let them expire.

5 – Make sure the Hiring Manager has the appetite

While it may seem obvious, but make sure that the hiring manager has the appetite to negotiate. In other words, make sure they really like you and are willing to fight for you. Do this by making sure they plus the future team you’ll be working on truly understand the value you’re bringing and how you’ll be able to add to the company’s culture.

6 – Remember, this is a Dialogue and not Duel

As tempting as it is to stand firm on certain parts of the offer, remember that the parties involved will be your coworkers if everything goes smoothly. Avoid coming off overly difficult or too strongly or dishing out an ultimatum such that it leaves a negative impression. At the end of the day, the recruiter, team, and company choose you and see value in you. While you want to maximize your TC, you don’t want to shortchange your early days. Let your strength and skills shine through such that you match the package you are looking for.

Blind and its 3.6MM+ users take compensation seriously, particularly leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. Depending on which company you’re engaging with, you should check out some of the more engaging conversations with the community for further insight and detail.

Here are some of the top discussions happening: