Negotiation skills are essential for both applicants and current employees in the workplace. This article offers tips for both parties to improve their negotiation techniques. With 68% of US employers planning a pay increase for all employees in 2023, there is a window of opportunity to lean into discomfort and take control of your future by claiming the compensation you deserve. For current employees, negotiation can go beyond salary to include other variables to improve their work experience. Applicants can change their approach to negotiation by using tactics such as “The Gratitude Sandwich Method” and avoiding giving specific salary expectations. Knowing when to walk away is also an important skill for both parties. The article provides additional resources, including the Harvard Business Review and Indeed, to help individuals improve their negotiation skills.
Negotiation for the Applicant & Employee
Applicants are not the only ones with negotiation power in the workplace. This article contains tips for applicants and tips for the current employees to improve their negotiation skills. Employees and applicants control the market when the masses agree that certain terms or compensation base lines are unacceptable. 68% of US Employers confirmed a pay increase for all employees in 2023. Lean into discomfort and take control of your future by claiming money that is allocated for you. The first step is the ask.
Current Employees: Negotiate More Than Money
Remember that when negotiating you should be prepared with data and research. You should be able to support why you deserve a change in contract with facts, after you read your contract in detail. If you are in the middle of your contract it will be extremely difficult to make changes after both parties have signed. However, if your contract is ending soon the conversations are extremely important to prepare for.
Clear confident composed communication is a great strategy to have. Explain how the company will get an increase of return on investment if your changes are met. Specifically, changes do not always include payment, other factors that can be negotiated to improve the work experience. These variables are listed in the “10 Variables Negotiation you could include in your Salary Negotiation,” section of Procurement Tactics article.
Applicants: Change How You Ask
Similar to when young children are conscious that if I ask my parents they will say no, but if you ask they will at least consider. Change your approach. Tiktoker @coachemrez recommended “The Gratitude Sandwich Method.” Emily (@coachemrez) explains that negotiation is a collaboration and the sandwich shows your confidence within your boundaries without being rude.
Salary negotiation coach and resume writer, Sam Struan shared the tip of language to LinkedIn. Sam explains that you should never say what you are looking to make because it seems as if you are jumping pay ranges. Try, “I am currently interviewing for…”
Applicants & Current Employees: Walk Away
A great negotiator knows when to walk away. Applicants who share they have other offers on the table must be careful just in case the company they truly want declines their counter offer. Applicants should be cautious of when companies are not comprising anything and determine their own non negotiables. If during the bargaining stage a non negotiable is hit, don’t negotiate. Remain polite and professional but kindly decline their offer and continue your search elsewhere. Keep in mind that if the company is strict on how they manage their salary negotiation it is likely that they will also be strict with pay raises (and possibly promotions.)
Current employees remember to keep your Linkedin and resume updated. Staying in touch with the market through research and hosting casual coffee chats with recruiters in your inbox can help you in the long run. Especially after your pay raise or promotion negotiation is declined. If that occurs, reread this article from the perspective of an applicant and discretely begin your hiring process. Again, always remain polite and professional.
More resources include the Harvard Business Review,and Indeed.Remember, you can negotiate that
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