How to negotiate a higher salary. 5 key tips for more money!

When your average punter is asked "what's your salary?” you can bet your bottom dollar that the majority of responses will include the words "not enough"! So why is it that when faced with the opportunity to negotiate a new salary, most people don't do themselves justice and quite often cut themselves short?

The simple answer is because many are scared of the negotiating, and end up avoiding it entirely! Whilst i strongly recommend that the 'salary conversation' is not the centre point of your discussions with your next employer, i must emphasise that it something that does need to take place! The equation is simple; you want to land yourself the most money possible, the employer wants to find the best possible employee, for the smallest amount possible!

Below are the five golden rules to remember when having your discussion:

1. Set the tone: Once the discussion has begun, and the hiring manager starts to talk figures, ensure that you are confident. Avoid fidgeting and avoid losing eye contact because they are a sure fire way to lose your credibility! However;
2. Don’t be over confident. Being cocky and talking down to someone is also guaranteed to lessen your chance of securing more money. No one wants to hire someone who obviously has the wrong attitude, so be sure to get the mix of confidence and friendliness right.
3. Give reasons why you should be paid more than the offer, don’t give excuses: Be sure to talk about the skills that you will bring to the business, and the extra degree or qualifications that you have, the managerial skills you possess, or whatever it is that separates you from the pack and makes you an asset to this business. Whatever you do, don’t tell the hiring manager that because you have been out of work, you need more money. Or that because you are caring for sick family members, you're going to require more money. Realistically, these are your concerns, and not theirs! They simply DO NOT care! 
4. Give a range you'd actually be happy with, or higher: When giving the manager a salary range, make certain that you are happy with even the lowest figure in that range. Because 9 out of 10 times, that figure is exactly what you will get! Suggesting a range of $50,000 - $65,000 and then being miserable once offered $50,000 is plain silly! Its human nature, they will want to bargain you down. So always give an inflated figure so that when it gets knocked down, it’s something your happy with.
5. Don’t settle: If you have just been offered a position with a salary that is not what you were hoping for, it may be wise to walk away from the deal. If you have exhausted all options with management and still, they are completely reluctant to increase the figure, you can be sure that in these tough economic conditions the salary will be staying at that rate for quite some time! If the role is your 'dream job' then you may be willing to take the hit, but if the role and the salary are going to leave you miserable, steer clear!

For more interview advice, book yourself in for a free interview training session. Visit www.rensol.org or email ross@rensol.org