How to bargain for a fat salary
Jan 07, 2007
Given chance, we can all ask for ‘better’ pay.<br>Andrew Muyabi, a sales superviser with Bata, however, says he would rather turn down the offer of a new job than negotiate for rewards commensurate with his input. “What if I lost the job in the process of negotiating?†he quips.
By Timothy Makokha
Given chance, we can all ask for ‘better’ pay.
Andrew Muyabi, a sales superviser with Bata, however, says he would rather turn down the offer of a new job than negotiate for rewards commensurate with his input. “What if I lost the job in the process of negotiating?†he quips.
Daniel Mukose, a management consultant and lecturer at Makerere University, says negotiation becomes easier if you remember that its purpose is to reach an agreement.
“Consider it as a method to reach a situation you and the employer feel good about,†he says. “Employers are usually out for the best. If that is what they see in any would-be employee, they will pay the price.â€
According to Mukose, when prospective employees understand what the job takes, they will negotiate for what they think is fair compensation for the work.
He gives 10 tips to negotiate for better pay:
- Research about the salary you expect and what the industry offers.
- Don’t accept the first salary if you are not sure about what the job entails.
- Don’t bring up the issue of salary before the employer. Delay negotiation for as long as possible. If asked, say you expect a salary that is competitive on the market – or give a salary range you find acceptable.
- With an objective estimation of your strengths and achievements, demonstrate the value you will bring to the employer and why you deserve bigger pay. Always remember to get the offer in writing.
- Don’t inflate your current earnings just to get a higher salary offer.
- Don’t feel obliged to accept the first salary offer. Should you choose to negotiate, start with a positive statement about your appreciation of the offer and interest in the position, then indicate what you were hoping to receive
- Thank the employer for the offer when it is made, but don’t try to negotiate right after the offer. Take time to consider all factors before making any decisions
- Don’t get overly aggressive in negotiating for the salary
- Don’t just focus on salary. Look at all benefits like medical insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, maternity/parental and performance bonuses.
- If you aren’t successful, try to negotiate for other concessions like better workspace, bonuses and vacation.
Mukose cautions would-be employees that sometimes, an organisation’s policy is set and negotiations will not be fruitful.
“Other grounds upon which a better pay may be objectionable are lack of adequate experience and budget limitations,†he adds.
“In such cases, potential employees should thank the organisations for considering them before expressing regret that they cannot accept the offer or accept the offer because of benefits.â€
Even if your negotiations do not succeed, you have learned an important skill that will help you in future, Mukose concludes.
Given chance, we can all ask for ‘better’ pay.
Andrew Muyabi, a sales superviser with Bata, however, says he would rather turn down the offer of a new job than negotiate for rewards commensurate with his input. “What if I lost the job in the process of negotiating?†he quips.
Daniel Mukose, a management consultant and lecturer at Makerere University, says negotiation becomes easier if you remember that its purpose is to reach an agreement.
“Consider it as a method to reach a situation you and the employer feel good about,†he says. “Employers are usually out for the best. If that is what they see in any would-be employee, they will pay the price.â€
According to Mukose, when prospective employees understand what the job takes, they will negotiate for what they think is fair compensation for the work.
He gives 10 tips to negotiate for better pay:
- Research about the salary you expect and what the industry offers.
- Don’t accept the first salary if you are not sure about what the job entails.
- Don’t bring up the issue of salary before the employer. Delay negotiation for as long as possible. If asked, say you expect a salary that is competitive on the market – or give a salary range you find acceptable.
- With an objective estimation of your strengths and achievements, demonstrate the value you will bring to the employer and why you deserve bigger pay. Always remember to get the offer in writing.
- Don’t inflate your current earnings just to get a higher salary offer.
- Don’t feel obliged to accept the first salary offer. Should you choose to negotiate, start with a positive statement about your appreciation of the offer and interest in the position, then indicate what you were hoping to receive
- Thank the employer for the offer when it is made, but don’t try to negotiate right after the offer. Take time to consider all factors before making any decisions
- Don’t get overly aggressive in negotiating for the salary
- Don’t just focus on salary. Look at all benefits like medical insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, maternity/parental and performance bonuses.
- If you aren’t successful, try to negotiate for other concessions like better workspace, bonuses and vacation.
Mukose cautions would-be employees that sometimes, an organisation’s policy is set and negotiations will not be fruitful.
“Other grounds upon which a better pay may be objectionable are lack of adequate experience and budget limitations,†he adds.
“In such cases, potential employees should thank the organisations for considering them before expressing regret that they cannot accept the offer or accept the offer because of benefits.â€
Even if your negotiations do not succeed, you have learned an important skill that will help you in future, Mukose concludes.