By Jennifer L. Potts
Many aspects of your career and position within a company are subject to negotiation with your employer. As a new employee, you may negotiate the terms of your contract, your salary or your benefits package. As an existing employee, you may need to negotiate a raise, a change in your job description or the terms for taking the lead on an important project. By employing effective strategies, you can achieve the results you want.
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions
- Determine your value to the company. You may have a special skill or expertise, or be one of few employees with a certain type of experience. You may bring in large accounts or make large sales. Knowing your value enables you to negotiate with more confidence.
- Decide on a minimum that you're willing to settle for. For example, if you're negotiating a raise, you may decide that you're only willing to accept at least a 6 percent increase in annual salary. Go into the negotiation with that figure in mind, and keep at it until you receive that amount or more
- Don't let your employer know the minimum you're willing to accept, and don't state your terms first. Allow the employer to put an offer on the table. Then, start negotiating your terms. Understand that the employer's initial offer will probably be low and that he expects you to negotiate for higher terms.
- Avoid agreeing to terms on the spot. If the employer makes a reasonable offer, tell him very politely that you'd like to think it over or perhaps talk it over with your family before agreeing. This is especially relevant when negotiating the terms of a job offer.
- Keep your personal life out of the negotiation with your employer. Don't talk about why you need more money or more benefits. Keep the conversation focused on the value that you can bring to the company.
