How does your salary compare to those within comparable industries? Do you even know what you’re worth? How do you go about approaching current or potential employers with money talk? All of these questions are part of a realistic battle that many people are constantly fighting.

Salary negotiation is a difficult topic; one that your recruiter could certainly help you through. However, if you’re ready to fight the financial battle on your own, here are some tips of the trade that our recruiters can suggest:

Don’t state a desired salary or range that you wouldn’t be happy accepting. If you tell a potential employer that you would be happy with something in the $60k- 75K range, it will make it very difficult to get a higher number once you have verbally agreed to something that falls in that range. Additionally, if you give such a broad range, an employer will assume you are happy with the $60K since you did say that would be acceptable, even if you were hoping for the $75K. Our tip here is to understand the range of what the position is planning to offer and then tell them a number within that range that would make you accept the offer if it was extended.

Don’t be the first one in an interview to broach “numbers.” This is common interviewing etiquette, but for those of you that don’t know, let your potential employer bring up salary, not you. Concentrate on being the best person for the job. Prove that you have the skill set, the experience, the personality and the corporate sophistication to work at an organization, and then negotiate your payment when the employer moves forward with a proposal or offer.

Have all the facts and state your case. People need to hear the facts, so when you’re negotiating a salary for yourself, be sure to do some background research. Here are a few websites that can act as a third party resource to assist in your factual objectives and help you justify what you’re asking for: www.salary.com, www.salaryexpert.com, www.payscale.com

Focus on the Entire Package and not only on the Salary. Although your base salary is important, remember that often times other aspects of a compensation package can be just as lucrative in the long run. Often employers will throw in relocation compensation, bonuses, stock in the company, extra vacation time, etc. All of these things should be taken into consideration when looking to accept an offer. Along this same line, if a company is inflexible on salary, they may be able to create a more attractive package that includes a sign-on bonus and equity in the organization.

Again, working with a recruiter can be helpful as they are trained experts at negotiating salary on their candidate’s behalf. As always- the search consultants here at Clovis are available and ready to assist you in your next career move- or to help you consider your options. Your professional success is our success! Contact your Clovis representative today!

The Clovis Team
Bethesda 301.365.8480 
Columbia 410.953.6940