Many people are uncomfortable with negotiating for a salary. Regardless of the reason, there will come a time when you feel the need to negotiate a salary and these tips should help you navigate the process and come to an agreement with an employer.
First, you need to do your research.
There are numerous websites, like Salary.com, Payscale, Glassdoor, which can give you the high, median and low wages for the position you’re considering. They will also narrow down the wage scale to your geographic area. You can then compare your skills and experience and see where your salary ought to be in order to be competitive in your market.
You can also check the Bureau of Labor Statistics for industry-specific wage information.
Next, you should calculate the minimum amount you’re willing to accept.
Remember, this is just a guideline to help you narrow down your options, as salary is not the only consideration when deciding whether or not to accept a position. Knowing your bottom line will allow you to remove yourself from consideration if you can reasonably calculate that the job offer will not be close to meeting your needs.