This section provides brief advice on negotiating a salary offer, first you will have to find out what you’re really worth.

The first hurdle in salary negotiation is researching the salary you are expecting, the various bonuses and benefits that apply, also by researching the market rates of the job you are going for. All this is crucial if you are want to successfully negotiate a decent salary, to achieve this you must have a clear understanding of your minimum expected salary and a dream salary.

Minimum salary

Your minimum salary should be a figure that covers your current living costs with a little spending money. On the other hand if you are changing jobs to increase earnings your minimum should be equivalent to your existing salary.

Expected salary

Researching the market for identical or similar jobs, will give you a clear scale of the salary range on offer, from this research you should be able to identify what the average package most companies offer for the job is, this is the sort of salary you should expect. Try our salary calculator?

Dream salary

We all want more money and dream of higher wages. But the dream salary realistically, is governed by existing salaries in the relevant existing markets and your level of experience in the fields. Inquiring into the high-end salaries of the job title you’re applying for, and researching the level of experience they expect for this role, you should be able to calculate a respectable dream salary.

Negotiations

Now you’ve established what you should be earning, and what you possibly could be earning. You can negotiate. It’s very likely that your future employer has a figure already worked out; this offer should not be accepted or refused. You should inquire into the specifics of the offer and ask the flexibility of it. Also querying when salaries are reviewed. Thus to work out the next time the salary will be reviewed.

Now the employer has made you an offer, it is time to compare it to your initial salary expectations.

Below minimum expectations: If the salary offered is lower then expected, you should explain why the offer is not to your expectations, whether it be you can afford to earn that less or you are already on an higher existing wage.

Expected salary: Even if the offer is in the region of your expected salary, you can still negotiate. Addressing your experience in the area, knowledge of the position and qualifications.

Dream salary: If the offer is close to your dream salary or exceeds your dream salary, you should still discuss in detail future earnings and career development. Because your expectations are more than likely going to change as you progress in the role.

You should never refuse a salary offer immediately, always state you will have to consider the offer, giving yourself time to evaluate the package and all the relevant options you have. You should take into account the pros and cons of the offer at hand, if the salary and benefits package is not up to scratch. You must devise if it is the right career move for you.