NEGOTIATE YOUR SALARY? DON'T WORRY, HERE ARE THE TIPS

Guide for Gen Z: Confident and Effective Salary Negotiation

Admin

8/9/20244 min read

Hello, Esa friends! Today, we're diving into a topic that might make you a bit nervous but is crucial to discuss—salary negotiation! Talking about salary can be tricky, especially if you're new to the job or asking for a raise. Many people feel uncomfortable addressing this, but it's a conversation that matters! So, don't be shy or insecure about it. Let's go through some tips to help you feel more confident when discussing salary.

Photo source : stocksnap

1. Know Your Worth
2. Practice Makes Perfect
3. Don't Be Afraid to Ask
4. Tawar Menawar dengan bijak

If the idea of negotiating your salary makes you nervous, practice beforehand. Ask a friend or family member to role-play as the interviewer or manager, simulating a salary negotiation scenario. Practicing will help you learn how to respond to potential questions and present convincing arguments.

Practicing also helps you with your tone and body language. Try to stay calm and confident—don't let any doubt or fear show. Remember, negotiating your salary is a normal and essential part of your career growth.

Before you even start talking about salary, it’s crucial to understand your value. What skills and experience do you bring to the table? Make a list of your strengths and achievements so far. For example, if you've consistently hit sales targets or completed major projects, those are significant points in your favor.

Also, research the salary standards in your industry or within the company you're working for. You can gather information from colleagues in the same field or check job search websites that usually list salary ranges. This will give you a clear idea of what kind of salary you deserve.

We often hesitate to bring up salary, but if you don’t ask, how will you know if what you’re being offered is fair? So, don’t be afraid to discuss salary during an interview or performance review.

You can start with polite, professional questions like, "Could you tell me the salary range for this position?" or "What is the salary policy at this company?" This way, you can get clear information without coming across as too demanding.

There’s an art to salary negotiation. Don’t just throw out a number that’s too high or too low. Instead, offer a salary range that you believe is fair. For example, if the standard salary for your role is between 5 to 7 million, you might say, "I’m hoping for a salary in the 6 to 7 million range, considering my experience and the value I can bring."

Also, listen carefully to what the HR representative or your boss says. They might have a particular reason for the salary they're offering, and you can use that information to strengthen your case.

5. Consider the Benefits

While salary is important, don’t forget to consider other benefits the job offers. These could include health benefits, annual bonuses, training opportunities, or flexible working hours. Sometimes, these perks can be more valuable than a small salary increase.

If the salary offer doesn’t meet your expectations, ask about additional benefits you could receive. For example, "Are there opportunities for training or certification that could enhance my skills?" This way, you might gain more even if the salary isn’t exactly what you hoped for.

6. Don't Rush to Decide

When you receive a salary offer, don’t feel pressured to accept or decline immediately. Take some time to think it over and weigh your options. If necessary, ask for additional time to make your decision. For example, you might say, "Could I have a few days to consider this? I’ll get back to you as soon as possible."

This gives you time to discuss the offer with your family or close friends and make the best decision for your career. Don’t rush into accepting an offer that doesn’t meet your expectations, only to regret it later.

7. Stay Professional and Polite

Regardless of the outcome of your salary negotiation, always remain professional and polite. If the offer doesn’t meet your expectations, you can express this kindly, for example, "Thank you for the offer. However, I was hoping for a salary more in line with my experience and the contributions I can make."

Remember, salary negotiation is part of a professional process, so keep your attitude positive and respectful. You never know—if this isn’t the time for a raise, a better opportunity might come your way later on.

8. Self-Evaluation and Performance

After negotiating your salary, don’t forget to reflect on your performance. Are you working at your best? Is there anything you can improve to make your contributions more noticeable? By continuously developing yourself, you strengthen your position for future negotiations.

Additionally, keep a record of all your achievements and contributions while working. This serves as concrete evidence you can use in your next salary negotiation. The more achievements you accumulate, the better your chances of securing a significant raise.

9. Be Confident and Assertive

Salary negotiations can be challenging, but if you’ve prepared well, there’s no need to feel insecure. Confidence is key! Remember, you deserve a salary that reflects your hard work and contributions.

So, don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary. With these tips, I hope you feel more confident and successful in your next salary discussion. Good luck!