What Most Employers Don?t Want You to Know When They Talk Salary

When hiring managers describe a salary and benefits package
to you, they have one main objective in mind: To get the
best possible talent for the least possible expense.
They're not going to volunteer the fact that they can go
higher in salary or negotiate concessions in your benefits
package. So, if you're in the midst of a job change and
salary negotiation, here are some important things to keep
in mind: Know How Much You're Worth: Well-managed
companies conduct regular labor market assessments to
determine if their salaries are competitive. They use this
information to adjust their established pay ranges for each
position. Because payroll is one of the biggest expenses of
running a business, they often offer you the lowest salary
possible and hope to keep you satisfied.

What they want you to know: That their philosophy is to
pay competitively. They want you to feel that your skills
and abilities are valued so you will stay and produce good
work.

What they don't want you to know: How your own salary
compares with the established pay range. Don't assume it's
within the range. Generally, if a hiring manager thinks you
will be satisfied with a salary below the pay range, he or
she will extend the initial offer below that spread.
Remember, the employer's first offer is the beginning of
your negotiation discussion, not the end of it.

Consult these Web sites for more information on salaries
and ranges:

www.salary.com
www.salaryexpert.com
www.ecomponline.com

Always ask for more than the initial offer, even if it's
only $2,000 or $3,000 more. Why? Simply because you won't
get more without asking. Even if you get a "No" it's not a
complete loss. You have communicated that you highly value
yourself and the contributions you offer the company. This
will send the company the signal to value you as well.

Think Beyond Salary: Find out if the company has a bonus
or commission plan. Every company handles these plans
differently, if they have a plan at all. If there is a high
demand for your profession, you should ask for a signing
bonus.

Most companies include merit increases as part of their
performance review system. Find out what the review process
is, how performance is measured and rewarded, and what
percentage increase you could expect. Can you get reviewed
earlier for a mid-year increase if your initial salary
isn't as high as you'd like?

Benefits Are Like Money In Your Pocket: Consider benefits
carefully and in detail as you evaluate the entire
compensation package. You can expect to get as much as
another third of the value of your salary provided in
benefits.

There are the basics, such as health insurance, sick leave,
and vacation. Often there are additional perks, such as
child care and 401k plans with matching contributions. You
might be able to negotiate other benefits that aren't
named, such as paid tuition, company car, health club
membership, or additional time off.

Make The Negotiation Work For You: Negotiating your total
compensation requires that you be prepared with information
and in mindset. Know your worth. Know what you want. Don't
be shy or appear desperate. Likewise, don't worry about
appearing greedy. Focus on appearing and being confident.
Keep reminding yourself that you can and will perform for
the company. Lastly, get the agreement in writing.

Finding and getting a new job can be an exciting new
chapter in your career. Follow these tips to negotiate the
salary you deserve and you'll do just fine!

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Mary Foley, author of ?Bodacious! Career: Outrageous
Success for Working Women?, inspires people to take charge
of their lives and grow their careers and business. Tired
of seeing so many people weary from jobs they hate, Mary
created ?6 Steps to Win the Job You Really Want?. To find
out more, check out http://www.new-job-search.com