CHARLESTON, S.C. - It is not an uncommon belief that it is impolite to talk about money and salary, but jobseekers are doing themselves a disservice by not preparing for the fight. As a result, most of us are not negotiating for better salaries. Let’s discuss how to prepare for these awkward conversations, so we get paid what we’re worth and don’t leave cash on the table.
When it comes to negotiating salary, the golden rule is “The person who says a number first loses”. However, many jobseekers are asked about their desired salary early in the hiring process. This is tricky because you can’t say a number that is too high that will disqualify you, AND you can’t shortchange yourself by throwing out a number too low. So, what do you do when you’re inevitably asked this question, and how can you avoid losing the negotiation? Here are a few tactics and responses to have at the ready:
- Avoid answering the question entirely – “I am open to negotiation, but my top priority is finding the right fit. Once we find that, I’ll be happy to discuss.”
- Turn the question around on them – “I’d like to learn more about the position, duties and the team before diving into negotiations. Can you tell me what the range is for this position?”
- Offer them a salary range – “From what I know about the position the salary range is generally $XX,XXX-$XX,XXX”.
There is a chance these responses just won’t do. The recruiter or HR representative can’t move forward in the process. This is a matter of making sure the company and jobseeker are in the same ballpark with salary expectations. You can’t afford to be caught unaware by this question, which means you’ve got to do your research. Lucky for you, the library is here to help you prepare!
There are endless websites you can search and read, but they can give conflicting information, and it is challenging to sort out what is trustworthy. The library subscribes to a few reliable databases that can aid in your search. These can be accessed at home with your library card or in your local CCPL branch. (All for free, of course!)
- Ferguson's Career Guidance Center: Under the menu “Explore Careers” choose “Browse Professions” to explore a career and get information such as average salary and typical duties performed.
- LinkedIn Learning: Not only a resource for personal and profession development, shows you how to access LinkedIn’s "Salary Insights" feature. A feature that allows you to examine a position, industry, etc. in a specific location and figure out the salary average. You can also modify by years of experience and get insight based on other factors.
- Vocational & Career Collection: If you’re willing to put in a few more clicks, this database can provide valuable information. Enter your search terms and filters to explore the wealth of information and articles available.
- Library Staff: One of the best resources available is your library staff. They can assist you with everything from accessing these databases for salary information to getting you started on making a resume. We even have a librarian dedicated to assisting you with Workforce Development – email Staci to set up an appointment for assistance at [email protected]
With these resources and tips, you can go confidentially into your next salary negotiation armed with the information to help you come out on top. Don’t forget to share your success with us next time you visit the library, we’re all rooting for you!