Salary Negotiation Tips for First-Time Job Seekers

Salary Negotiation Tips for First-Time Job Seekers Salary Negotiation Tips for First-Time Job Seekers 7Even for the most seasoned of job seekers, salary negotiations can be uncomfortable. So it makes sense that only an estimated 38% of recent grads negotiated salary when they received a job offer, according to a NerdWallet infographic. With barely any job experience under your belt, you may feel unsure whether you should even negotiate salary at all, but you definitely should! Here are some salary negotiation tips for first-time job seekers:   Understand your expenses. Before you begin salary negotiations, it’s a good idea to have an idea of how much money you have to earn in order to live. That should be your base number from which to start your negotiations. So if a dream job is offering you a salary that you just won’t be able to survive on, you can begin negotiating to get the increase you’ll need. Be confident. Just because you don’t have oodles of experience listed on your resume doesn’t mean that you should be paid less than other job candidates. So look for other strengths that you possess that others may not. Potential bosses might favor your youthful energy and exuberance over other “been there, done that” job seekers. Chances are, you’ve also been schooled in the latest in industry info. And internships count, too, so be sure to list any previous experiences that you can relate to the position you’re applying for. Don’t sell yourself short just because you don’t have paid work experience on your resume yet. Be knowledgeable. It’s understandable that you might be nervous to engage in salary negotiation as a first-time job seeker. Knowledge is power, though, so get updated on what the fair market value is for the position you’re applying for. While it’s illegal for a potential boss to change the salary based on your age, it’s important that you know what salary ranges to expect before heading into the interview. Websites like Salary.com and Glassdoor are helpful for finding out salary ranges for your job level, career field, and location. Look at the entire offer. Sure, it can be discouraging to hear a smaller salary than you were hoping for. But jobs are more than just salary. That’s why you need to consider the whole job offer, such as medical and dental benefits, work flexibility, PTO, tuition reimbursement- even retirement savings contributions that your employer will make. And if you’re able to work remotely, factor in how much money you could save from not having to commute to an office every day. Suddenly, your salary might start to look a whole lot sweeter than it did before! Be ready to ask for other benefits. Even if you are offered what is considered to be a fair salary for the type of job you’re applying for, that still shouldn’t stop you from negotiating other benefits. Ask if you can have work flexibility in terms of a flexible schedule, especially if you’re going to travel to work daily. If you’re planning to continue your education, you might even ask if the company can pay for it, especially if it relates to your current career. Even if you negotiate only a small salary increase or the ability to work from home one day each week, that first negotiating win will give you the confidence to go after what you’re worth for the rest of your career. Don’t accept the offer on the table. Unless the job offer is absolutely everything you dreamt of and more (it allows you to work remotely, has a great starting salary, killer benefits, room for growth, etc.), don’t feel compelled to accept it immediately. Even if you’re a first-time job seeker, you have every right to think the offer over before you take it. This can give you time to really assess if the job offer is right for you- or not. So run the numbers and see if it makes sense to accept the offer outright, or begin your negotiations towards a salary that you want and deserve. Looking for More Career Advice? TRY OUR CAREER COACHING SERVICES This is a version of a post that was