What salary are you seeking?
1 answer
When applying for jobs, you should always inquire about the compensation package offered. Salary negotiation is a tricky topic. Most companies don't want to pay too little or too much. They want to get the best deal they can. And you want to get paid fairly.
It's important to know what kind of compensation you can expect before accepting a new position. If you don't ask, you won't get the information you need to negotiate a better deal.
The key to negotiating a good salary is to start with a reasonable number.
Questions to consider when inquiring about salary:
- What kind of salary are you looking for?
- How much should you ask for?
- What are some things you should consider before asking for a higher salary?
- How is the pay compared to other companies?
- Are there benefits available? What are those benefits like?
But how do you find out what people in your field earn?
- Check online salary databases that list salaries by industry. Two sites we like include Salary.com and Payscale. Both provide data on average salaries for thousands of positions across multiple industries.
- Talk to friends or coworkers. Ask them how much they earn - and whether they think it's enough. The chances are excellent that at least one person will give you an honest answer.
Conclusion:
When interviewing for a new job, take the time to research the industry and find common benchmarks. By comparing salaries across different industries, you gain insight into whether it's worth going after this particular job opportunity.
In general, if you're at the bottom end of what the market pays, just stick to a 1.5x multiplier. Anywhere above that, you'll be able to negotiate a bit upward, depending on the value you bring to the team/company.