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    Want a better salary but not sure how to negotiate with a prospective employer? 6 fail-proof tips from a Harvard Business School professor

    Synopsis

    ​Career expert Matt Gavin, who is associated with Harvard Business School, shared some tips to put your best foot forward when negotiating your compensation package during an interview.

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    However, once you are face-to-face with a prospective employer, it is very easy to feel intimidated and you may fail to stand your ground. So make sure to practice your talking points!
    Salary hike remains the number one reason for job hopping. If dreams of a fatter paycheck are what has attracted you to a particular job or designation, you are not the only one! After all, what is an attractive LinkedIn profile beefed up with glowing recommendations, impeccable academic qualifications, etc worth if they can’t fetch you an enviable paycheck at the end of the day?

    However, asking for a good salary - that is worthy of your profile, experience, and accomplishments may be an uphill task for many. Whether you are just painfully shy, or just unwilling to beat your drum, you may end up underselling yourself at the interview, and consequently, have to settle for a lesser pay packet.

    Career expert Matt Gavin, who is associated with Harvard Business School, shared some tips to put your best foot forward when negotiating your compensation package during an interview.

    Know Your Value

    Before knowing what you should charge, take a look at the standard pay rates prevalent in the market. This is to ensure that you are getting fair pay for your experience and credentials. The more aware you are of the current salary rates, the less you are likely to fall prey to unethical employers who want to pay below your worth. Websites such as Salary.com, Payscale.com, and Glassdoor.com will let you know how much you should charge.


    Set A Baseline Package

    Once you have conducted a thorough research, make sure to set a baseline package for yourself. Don’t deviate too much from this baseline.


    Practise Your Arguments

    In theory, you may have the pitch-perfect negotiation strategy in mind and razor-sharp arguments as to why you can be an asset to the firm and thus deserving of a fatter paycheck. However, once you are face-to-face with a prospective employer, it is very easy to feel intimidated and you may fail to stand your ground. So make sure to practice your talking points!


    Don’t Compromise

    Even if you feel that you really need the job and even if the company is a brand you have always wanted to work for, don’t settle for less. Don’t compromise for an amount that is far lower than your baseline.


    Consider Other Factors

    While salary should no doubt be the major factor when zeroing in on a job, it’s not the only USP you should consider. Other factors such as a flexible job schedule, stock options, the opportunity to go remote, a big signing bonus, etc are all factors that make a job attractive!


    Be Prepared To Answer ‘Why’

    If you are asking for a high salary, be prepared to answer the question ‘why’. The employer will be keen to know why you deserve such an amazing paycheck! Get ready to illustrate how you were an asset to your last employer, how you increased traffic to your website, or brought down the costs.

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