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Communicate value

In this article, Heather Jacksic stresses the importance of communicating value on order to justify a good salary.
A person sits on a giant scale, weighing down one side while the other side with a pile of coins is portrayed as lighter and raised into the air.

In order to help the company understand why you deserve a certain salary, you need to tell them about the value that you bring.

The most important thing you can do to prepare for salary negotiation is to know what your value is and to be prepared to present that to the recruiter.

That means that you will have to tell them about how your skills and education can help the company. This is where your previous work experience and transferable skills come into play.

You’ll want to tell them about how you helped other companies in the past with things like:

  • Solving problems
  • Increasing profits
  • Saving time
  • Reducing costs
  • Enhancing the quality of something.

Be sure to give examples that make a direct correlation between your past accomplishments and how they will benefit the employer in this new position. Making a list with these details will help you to be more confident when you start the negotiation.

Create value for both parties

You will probably have mentioned this in the job interview itself, but this time you are going to connect your work to your value in order to ask for a higher salary.

Why should a company pay more than what the employees are asking for? They shouldn’t! That’s why it’s important that you ask for what you deserve.

You need to look at the interests of both sides and try to communicate value for both parties. What should the company expect for the amount you expect them to pay?

This is not the time to take anything personally. Don’t get emotional. Instead, try to take a step back and see what it is you can offer and what they can give. Look for things to negotiate that you might value and that are easy for the employer to agree to.

Do you have any good advice for negotiating a better salary? Share your tips with other learners in the comments section below.
© Luleå University of Technology
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